Offset electrode

1. An electrode comprising:

a non-conductive substrate having a top surface and at least one channel extending therethrough;

an electrically conductive trace material positioned adjacent at least a portion of the top surface of the non-conductive substrate and extending through said channel, and being adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source;

a second electrically conductive material that is inert or more corrosion resistant than the trace material, the second electrically conductive material being positioned adjacent to and entirely covering a top surface of the trace material,

a third electrically conductive material that is inert or more corrosion resistant than the trace material, the third electrically conductive material being positioned adjacent to and entirely covering a top surface of the second electrically conductive material, and covering a portion of the top surface of the non-conductive substrate that surrounds the second electrically conductive material; and

a conductive hydrogel positioned adjacent to a portion of a top surface of the third electrically conductive trace material,

wherein the conductive hydrogel is laterally offset from the trace material.

2. The electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the non-conductive substrate includes a recessed portion, and wherein the at least one channel is positioned within said recessed portion.

3. The electrode according to claim 2 , wherein the electrically conductive trace material is positioned entirely within said recessed portion.

4. The electrode according to claim 3 , wherein the second electrically conductive material is positioned entirely within said recessed portion.

5. The electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the trace material is comprised of copper.

6. The electrode according to claim 5 , wherein the second electrically conductive material is comprised of gold or gold/nickel.

7. The electrode according to claim 6 , wherein the third electrically conductive material is comprised of silver.

8. The electrode according to claim 1 , further comprising a foam material positioned adjacent to at least a portion of a top surface of said third electrically conductive material so as to substantially surround said hydrogel.

9. An electrode comprising:

a non-conductive substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least one channel extending therethrough, the non-conductive substrate being comprised of a flexible material;

a copper trace material positioned adjacent at least a portion of the top surface of the non-conductive substrate and extending through said channel, said trace material being adapted to be electrically coupled to an electrode power source;

a second conductive material comprised of gold or gold/nickel, and positioned adjacent to and covering a top surface of said trace material;

a third conductive material comprised of silver and positioned adjacent to and covering a top surface of said second conductive material;

a conductive hydrogel positioned adjacent to and covering at least a portion of a top surface of the third conductive material, the hydrogel being laterally offset from the trace material.

10. The electrode according to claim 9 , further comprising a foam material substantially surrounding said hydrogel yet leaving a top surface of said hydrogel exposed.

11. The electrode according to claim 9 , wherein the top surface of the non-conductive substrate includes a recessed portion, and wherein the at least one channel is positioned within said recessed portion.

12. The electrode according to claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive trace material is positioned entirely within said recessed portion.

13. The electrode according to claim 12 , wherein the second electrically conductive material is positioned entirely within said recessed portion.