Adjustable geometry wearable electrodes
Patent No. US10433756 (titled "Adjustable geometry wearable electrodes") on Jun 25, 2018. The application was issued on Oct 8, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’756 is related to the field of electrophysiological monitoring and wearable sensor technology. Specifically, it addresses the technical challenges of maintaining high-quality electrical contact between electrodes and a patient's scalp over extended periods, particularly in the presence of hair and during activities like sleep where external pressure is applied to the sensor hardware.
The underlying idea behind ’756 is to utilize a dynamic, deformable electrode structure that balances signal integrity with patient comfort. By employing a collapsible or telescoping body, the electrode assembly can absorb external forces—such as a patient resting their head on a pillow—while simultaneously increasing the surface area in contact with the skin to distribute pressure and maintain a stable conductive path.
The claims of ’756 focus on an electrode assembly featuring an internal reservoir for conductive gel and a body that is specifically designed to adjust, collapse, or compress toward the skin. A key structural limitation in the independent claims is the tapering shape of the compressible portion toward the dispensing opening, and the inclusion of an adapter that aligns an external dispenser’s longitudinal axis with the electrode's own rotational axis.
In practice, the invention functions as a self-contained or refillable fluid delivery system. When the electrode is pressed against the scalp, the internal reservoir is squeezed, forcing conductive gel through a distal opening to bridge the gap between the sensor and the skin. The tapered geometry allows the electrode to navigate through hair more effectively than flat sensors, ensuring the gel reaches the scalp surface directly.
This approach differs from prior solutions by integrating mechanical stress relief directly into the electrode's housing. While traditional electrodes are often rigid and uncomfortable for long-term wear, this design uses resiliently compressible materials or spring-loaded telescoping members to mitigate skin irritation. Furthermore, the rotatable mounting and integrated adapter allow for active scalp preparation and easy refilling, preventing the signal degradation typically caused by gel evaporation.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the late 2010s when ’756 was filed, wearable physiological monitoring systems were typically implemented using fixed-geometry electrode housings that required manual skin preparation and gel application by trained technicians. At a time when high-fidelity signal acquisition for EEG or EKG commonly relied on wet electrodes, the interface between the sensor and the scalp was often compromised by hair interference and the rapid dehydration of conductive media. Hardware constraints made long-term ambulatory monitoring non-trivial, as rigid electrode structures frequently caused localized pressure discomfort and signal degradation when the subject moved or rested against external surfaces like pillows.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention represents a meaningful technical advancement through the integration of a dynamic, multi-functional electrode architecture that simultaneously addresses signal stability and patient comfort. By utilizing a collapsible or telescoping electrode body, the system achieves an architectural shift from rigid contact points to a force-responsive interface that redistributes pressure during extended wear. This structural solution enables a self-contained fluid delivery mechanism where conductive gel is dispensed from an internal reservoir in response to compressive forces or via a specialized external adapter. Furthermore, the inclusion of a protective skirt and containment features overcomes the technical constraint of gel evaporation and migration, ensuring a stable electrical connection over time while facilitating hair displacement and skin preparation through integrated mechanical movement.
Claims
The patent contains 29 claims, with claims 1 and 22 serving as the independent claims. These independent claims focus on an electrode assembly featuring a body with an internal reservoir for conductive fluid and a structure that compresses or adjusts toward the patient's skin to increase contact area, specifically highlighting tapered shapes and rotational mounting capabilities with external dispenser adapters. The dependent claims further define the assembly by specifying mechanical features such as telescoping or spring-loaded components, material properties like elasticity and abrasiveness for skin preparation, and various structural attachments including protective skirts and fluid dispensing valves.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Litigation Cases New
US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Get instant alerts for new documents
US10433756
- Application Number
- US16017568A
- Filing Date
- Jun 25, 2018
- Publication Date
- Oct 8, 2019
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents