Electrode Patch

1 . An electrode patch comprising:

a patch body having a skin side and a device side, the skin side having an adhesive coating;

an electrode base coupled to the patch body;

a plurality of electrode studs securely mounted to the electrode body, the electrode studs each being configured for electrical connection to a sensor device at the device side of the patch body; and

a plurality of hydrogel caps securely mounted to the electrode studs, each of the plurality of hydrogel caps being in electrical contact with one of the plurality of electrode studs.

2 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , wherein the electrode base is coupled to the skin side of the patch body.

3 . The electrode patch of claim 2 , wherein the patch body forms an aperture through which the electrode studs may protrude.

4 . The electrode patch of claim 3 , wherein the electrode base is coupled to the device side of the patch body.

5 . The electrode patch of claim 4 , wherein the patch body forms an aperture through which the hydrogel caps may protrude.

6 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , 2 , 3 4 or 5 , further comprising a release tab affixed to the patch body.

7 . The electrode patch of claim 6 , wherein the release tab is removably affixed to the patch body.

8 . The electrode patch of claim 6 , wherein the release tab is permanently affixed to the patch body.

9 . The electrode patch of claim 7 or 8 , wherein the release tab is affixed to the skin side of the patch body.

10 . The electrode patch of claim 7 or 8 , wherein the release tab is affixed to the device side of the patch body.

11 . The electrode patch of claim 1 further comprising a release liner removably affixed to the adhesive coating.

12 . The electrode patch of claim 7 or 8 , wherein the release tab comprises a stiffer material than the patch body.

13 . The electrode patch of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of lobes configured to reduce patch-skin shear forces along a plurality of force vectors.

14 . The electrode patch of claim 1 further comprising a flexible material.

15 . The electrode patch of claim 14 , the flexible material comprising one of a fabric, a mesh, a breathable membrane, or a plastic.

16 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the electrode studs each comprising a conductive material.

17 . The electrode patch of claim 16 , the electrode studs each comprising metal.

18 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the electrode studs each comprising a non-conductive material having a coating comprising a conductive material.

19 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive material is one of a plastic, ceramic or glass, and the coating is metal.

20 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the electrode studs each having a snap-like body configured for removable reception by a sensor device.

21 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the electrode studs each comprising a wide base, and each hydrogel cap being affixed to a wide base of an electrode stud.

22 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , each electrode stud being mounted to the electrode body so as to form a shallow depression in which a hydrogel cap may be disposed.

23 . The electrode patch of claim 22 further comprising a spacer disposed between the electrode body and the patch body, the spacer forming an aperture well for each hydrogel cap.

24 . The electrode patch of claim 23 , wherein the spacer and electrode body are permanently joined.

25 . The electrode patch of claim 23 , wherein the spacer and electrode body form a unitary item of manufacture.

26 . The electrode patch of claim 23 , wherein the patch body is configured for removably mounting over a biceps muscle.

27 . The electrode patch of claim 1 the patch body being a first patch body, the electrode patch further comprising a second patch body, the electrode body being disposed between the first patch body and the second patch body.

28 . The electrode patch of claim 27 , the electrode body being at least partially enclosed by the first patch body and the second patch body.

29 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the patch body and electrode body comprising a unitary item of manufacture, the patch body forming a more flexible portion and the electrode body forming a more rigid portion.

30 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive coating comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

31 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , each of the plurality of hydrogel caps comprising a gel of sufficient elasticity to substantially return to its shape after deformation by application to a human body.

32 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , each of the plurality of hydrogel caps comprising a gel of sufficient viscosity that removal of the caps from the human body will leave substantially no residue.

33 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , each of the plurality of hydrogel caps comprising a gel of sufficient viscosity that removal of the caps from the human body will leave insufficient residue to short circuit two of the plurality of electrodes.

34 . The electrode patch of claim 1 , the plurality of electrode studs being three.