Conductive electrode
The description relates to self-dispensing electrodes. One example can include a curved hollow tube configured to hold a flowable conductive material and a selective retention mechanism positioned on the curved hollow tube and configured to retain the flowable conductive material in the hollow tube unless a force is imparted on the curved hollow tube.
1 . A device, comprising:
a wearable component configured to be positioned relative to a body part of a user; and,
an electrode associated with the wearable component and configured to engage the user's body part, the electrode comprising a curved hollow tube configured to retain a flowable conductive material unless a compressive force is exerted on the electrode by the body part of the user that both compresses a length of the electrode and releases the flowable conductive material until the compressive force is removed.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the wearable component comprises a hat, a helmet, a hood, a visor, glasses, goggles, a belt, or a watch.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is secured to the wearable component and extends toward the body part.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the curved hollow tube is elongate and a first end of the curved hollow tube proximate to the wearable component is connectable to a conductive wire and a second opposite end of the curved hollow tube that is distal from the wearable component comprises a selective retention mechanism that is configured to control the flowable conductive material.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the selective retention mechanism comprises a ball and socket.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the selective retention mechanism comprises a biased flap.
7 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the selective retention mechanism comprises a bundle of fibers.
8 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the selective retention mechanism comprises a leaflet valve.
9 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the selective retention mechanism is positioned along a curved surface of the curved hollow tube or wherein the selective retention mechanism is positioned at the second opposite end.
10 . An electrode, comprising:
a curved hollow tube configured to hold a flowable conductive material; and,
a selective retention mechanism positioned on the curved hollow tube and configured to retain the flowable conductive material in the curved hollow tube unless a compressive force is imparted on the curved hollow tube that temporarily decreases a length of the curved hollow tube.
11 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the curved hollow tube is arc shaped or wherein the curved hollow tube is spiral shaped.
12 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the flowable conductive material comprises an electrolytic fluid.
13 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the curved hollow tube comprises an electrically insulative resilient material.
14 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the curved hollow tube comprises a resilient material and where the compressive force changes a state of the selective retention mechanism from a first state to a second state and changes the resilient material from a first shape to a second shape, and upon removal of the compressive force, the selective retention mechanism returns to the first state and the resilient material returns to the first shape.
15 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the curved hollow tube further comprises a port configured to allow the curved hollow tube to be refilled with additional flowable conductive material.
16 . The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the selective retention mechanism comprises a ball and socket, a biased flap, a bundle of fibers, or a leaflet valve.
17 . A device, comprising:
a wearable component configured to be positioned relative to a body part of a user; and,
multiple deformable electrodes associated with the wearable component and individual deformable electrodes are configured to have a resting length and a shorter compressed length when exposed to a compressive force and to release a flowable conductive material when subjected to the compressive force.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the individual deformable electrodes are configured to deform toward the wearable component when subjected to the compressive force.
19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the individual deformable electrodes are configured to deform along a line or wherein the individual deformable electrodes are configured to deform along a plane.
20 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the individual deformable electrodes are configured to stop releasing the flowable conductive material when the compressive force is removed.