Conductive circuit
In general terms, the invention provides a circuit for delivering an electromagnetic signal to a human or animal body via contact with the skin of the body. The circuit comprises a plurality of printed layers provided on a base. The plurality of printed layers includes a first printed layer, and a second printed layer having a portion that overlays the first printed layer and a portion that overhangs the first printed layer. Optionally the portion that overhangs the first printed layer contacts the base or another of the printed layers of the plurality of printed layers.
1. A conductive circuit comprising an electrode for delivering an electromagnetic signal to a human or animal body, the conductive circuit comprising a base and a printed layer supported by the base, the printed layer including:
a printed conductive layer;
a first printed non-conductive layer partially overlaid on the printed conductive layer, the first printed non-conductive layer partially defined by a first perimeter edge; and
a second printed non-conductive layer partially defined by a second perimeter edge and partially overlaying the first printed non-conductive layer, wherein a portion of the second perimeter edge is offset from the first perimeter edge so that the second printed non-conductive layer overhangs the first printed non-conductive layer only at an exposed region of the printed conductive layer wherein the first printed non-conductive layer and the second printed non-conductive layer do not overlay the printed conductive layer.
2. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a stretch fabric.
3. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second printed non-conductive layers have a higher modulus of elasticity than the base.
4. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the second perimeter edge defines the exposed region of the conductive circuit.
5. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the second printed non-conductive layer comprises an outermost layer of the conductive circuit.
6. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the exposed region is defined at least partially by the second perimeter edge.
7. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a connection track providing an electrically conductive path between the electrode and an electrical contact configured to enable connection to a controller adapted to supply an electromagnetic signal to the electrode.
8. The conductive circuit according to claim 7 , wherein the first perimeter edge and/or the second perimeter edge are offset from an interface location where the connection track and the electrode meet.
9. The conductive circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the interface location where the connection track and the electrode meet comprises a region in which a cross-sectional area of the conductive circuit changes.
10. The conductive circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the interface location where the connection track and the electrode meet comprises a region in which a modulus of elasticity of the conductive circuit changes.
11. The conductive circuit according to claim 7 , wherein a portion of the printed conductive layer comprises the connection track, the printed conductive layer being electrically connected to electrode.
12. The conductive circuit according to claim 11 , wherein the printed conductive layer is a first printed conductive layer to; and wherein the connection track further comprises a second printed conductive layer deposited on the portion of the printed conductive layer comprising the connection track.
13. The conductive circuit according to claim 11 , wherein the first and second printed non-conductive layers overlay the portion of the printed conductive layer comprising the connection track to thereby encapsulate at least a majority of the printed conductive layer.
14. The conductive circuit according to claim 13 , wherein the electrical contact comprises an exposed region of the portion of the printed conductive layer comprising the connection track in which the printed conductive layer is not overlaid by the first and second printed non-conductive layers, and wherein the exposed region is defined by the second perimeter edge.
15. The conductive circuit according to claim 7 , comprising a connector electrically connected to each electrical contact of the connection track and configured to provide an electrical connection between the electrode and a power supply adapted to supply the electromagnetic signal to the electrode or the controller adapted to supply the electromagnetic signal to the electrode.
16. The conductive circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the printed layer further comprises a further printed non-conductive layer between the printed conductive layer and the base.
17. A kit of parts for providing a conductive circuit according to claim 1 , comprising a base, and a substrate carrying the printed layer, the substrate being configured to enable transfer of the printed layer onto the base by a transfer process to provide the conductive circuit.
18. A wearable garment comprising a conductive circuit according to claim 1 , a fabric of the wearable garment forming the base of the conductive circuit.
19. The wearable garment according to claim 18 that is wearable on a lower body region of a human or animal body, the wearable garment comprising two conductive circuits including a first conductive circuit having one an electrode configured to contact a left side of the body and a second conductive circuit having a corresponding electrode configured to contact a right side of the body.