US3658726A - Electrolytically conductive paste - Google Patents

Electrolytically conductive paste Download PDF

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Publication number
US3658726A
US3658726A US691704A US3658726DA US3658726A US 3658726 A US3658726 A US 3658726A US 691704 A US691704 A US 691704A US 3658726D A US3658726D A US 3658726DA US 3658726 A US3658726 A US 3658726A
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United States
Prior art keywords
paste
jelly
conductive paste
heavy metal
electrode
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Expired - Lifetime
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US691704A
Inventor
Gerhard Muhl
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Fritz Hellige und Co GmbH
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Fritz Hellige und Co GmbH
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/02—Details
    • A61N1/04—Electrodes
    • A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
    • A61N1/0472—Structure-related aspects
    • A61N1/0492—Patch electrodes
    • A61N1/0496—Patch electrodes characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/25—Bioelectric electrodes therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/25—Bioelectric electrodes therefor
    • A61B5/263—Bioelectric electrodes therefor characterised by the electrode materials
    • A61B5/266—Bioelectric electrodes therefor characterised by the electrode materials containing electrolytes, conductive gels or pastes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B1/00—Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials; Selection of materials as conductors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
    • A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
    • A61B2562/0209—Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
    • A61B2562/0217—Electrolyte containing

Definitions

  • the paste comprises an aqueous solution of an ionized salt as the conducting agent with a thickening agent, and includes a chelating agent to complex heavy metal ions and thereby reduce polarization effects.
  • the present invention relates to electrolytically conducting pastes or jellies used to decrease the contact resistance between a metallic electrode and a biological body.
  • a biological body such as a 'human body
  • a metallic electrode Such contacts are used to derive voltage signals from the body indicative of the biological functions thereof, as for example in electrocardiography or electroencephalography. They are also used to apply stimulating voltages or currents to the body.
  • the electrodes utilized for this purpose are usually formed of heavy metals, such as iron or copper, or alloys thereof.
  • electrolytically conductive paste or jelly between the electrode contact surface and the body surface.
  • These pastes or jellies conventionally comprise an aqueous solution of a highly ionized salt, such as sodium chloride or sodium carbonate, as the electrolyte, and a stiffening or thickening agent, such as a starch.
  • a highly ionized salt such as sodium chloride or sodium carbonate
  • a stiffening or thickening agent such as a starch.
  • electrolytically conductive materials are well known in the art, and may be in the form of an emulsion, jelly, or paste, and may contain numerous additive ingredients for various purposes, such as antiseptics, skin emollients, or cleaning or removal aids. Such compositions are set forth in US. Pat. 3,027,333 and German Pat. 943,610.
  • metal electrode and paste contact systems are, however, subject to the detrimental effect of polarization potentials at the interface of the metal electrode with the electrolytically conductive paste or jelly, and the interface of the skin or surface of the biological body with the paste or jelly.
  • the polarization potentials may be caused by metal ions entering the paste from the electrode or from the biological body, or by impurities present in the paste itself, resulting in the development of gaseous layers at said interfaces.
  • polarization from these sources is decreased or essentially eliminated by incorporating a heavy metal ion complexing agent in the conductive paste or jelly, and thereby effectively removing such ions from the electrolytic system.
  • Another object of the present invention is substantially to eliminate such polarization potentials as would result from heavy metal ions in or entering the paste or jelly.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide for the foregoing objects by incorporating a complexing agent for said heavy metal ions in the electrolytically conductive paste or jelly.
  • polarization from this source is essentially eliminated by the incorporation of a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent in the conductive paste or jelly.
  • a heavy metal ion complexing agent Any known heavy metal ion complexing agent may be used for this purpose, provided the material is not antagonistic to the biological body.
  • ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, and its usual salts are particularly useful for the purposes of this invention, although it should be understood that the invention is not considered to be limited thereto.
  • the salts of EDTA found particularly useful are the disodium salts, the calcium disodium salts, etc.
  • nitrilo 'tri-acetic acid and its salts are found particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention.
  • the complexing agent is found to be effective when present in the conductive jelly in amounts as low as about 0.05% by weight; and the preferred concentration is between about 0.05% and about 2%, preferably about 0.1% to 1%.
  • An electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material for use in establishing a low resistance contact between a metal electrode and a biological body, comprising an aqueous solution of highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity of the material, a thickening agent in suflicient quantity to impart a paste-like body to the material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the material, and said complexing agent is EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
  • a material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said highly ionizable salt is either sodium chloride or sodium carbonate.
  • An electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material for use in establishing a low resistance contact between a metal electrode and a biological body, comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity of the material, a thickeining agent in sufiicient quantity to impart a paste-like body to the material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent being EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
  • a method of making low resistance electrical contact between a metal electrode and a biological body comprising applying between the electrode and the body an electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material, said material comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity for the material, a thickening agent in sufficient quantity to impart a paste-like consistency to said material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated; said complexing agent being present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the material, and said complexing agent being 'EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
  • a method of making low resistance electrical contact between a metal electrode and a biological body comprising applying between the electrode and the body an electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material, said material comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity for the material, a thickening agent in sufficient quantity to impart a paste-like consistency to said material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent being EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof or a mixture thereof.

Abstract

AN ELECTROLYTICALLY CONDUCTIVE PASTE OR JELLY IS DISCLOSED, FOR FACILITATING LOW RESISTANCE CONTACT BETWEEN A METAL ELECTRODE AND A BIOLOGICAL BODY. THE PASTE COMPRISES AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF AN IONIZED SALT AS THE CONDUCTING AGENT WITH A THICKENING AGENT, AND INCLUDES A CHELATING AGENT TO COMPLEX HEAVY METAL IONS AND THEREBY REDUCE POLARIZATION EFFECTS.

Description

United States Patent US. Cl. 252-518 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrolytically conductive paste or jelly is disclosed, for facilitating low resistance contact between a metal electrode and a biological body. The paste comprises an aqueous solution of an ionized salt as the conducting agent with a thickening agent, and includes a chelating agent to complex heavy metal ions and thereby reduce polarization effects.
The present invention relates to electrolytically conducting pastes or jellies used to decrease the contact resistance between a metallic electrode and a biological body.
There are numerous instances where it is desired to establish a low resistance contact between a biological body, such as a 'human body, and a metallic electrode. Such contacts are used to derive voltage signals from the body indicative of the biological functions thereof, as for example in electrocardiography or electroencephalography. They are also used to apply stimulating voltages or currents to the body. The electrodes utilized for this purpose are usually formed of heavy metals, such as iron or copper, or alloys thereof.
In order to reduce the contact resistance between these electrodes and the biological body, it is customary to utilize an electrolytically conductive paste or jelly between the electrode contact surface and the body surface. These pastes or jellies conventionally comprise an aqueous solution of a highly ionized salt, such as sodium chloride or sodium carbonate, as the electrolyte, and a stiffening or thickening agent, such as a starch. These electrolytically conductive materials are well known in the art, and may be in the form of an emulsion, jelly, or paste, and may contain numerous additive ingredients for various purposes, such as antiseptics, skin emollients, or cleaning or removal aids. Such compositions are set forth in US. Pat. 3,027,333 and German Pat. 943,610.
These metal electrode and paste contact systems are, however, subject to the detrimental effect of polarization potentials at the interface of the metal electrode with the electrolytically conductive paste or jelly, and the interface of the skin or surface of the biological body with the paste or jelly. The polarization potentials may be caused by metal ions entering the paste from the electrode or from the biological body, or by impurities present in the paste itself, resulting in the development of gaseous layers at said interfaces. In accordance with the present invention, polarization from these sources is decreased or essentially eliminated by incorporating a heavy metal ion complexing agent in the conductive paste or jelly, and thereby effectively removing such ions from the electrolytic system.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide for the application of electrical voltages or currents to a biological body, or the derivation of voltage signals from the body, utilizing a metal electrode contact with the body and an electrolytically conductive paste between the body and the electrode, with a minimal development of electrolytic polarization potentials.
Another object of the present invention is substantially to eliminate such polarization potentials as would result from heavy metal ions in or entering the paste or jelly.
And still another object of the present invention is to provide for the foregoing objects by incorporating a complexing agent for said heavy metal ions in the electrolytically conductive paste or jelly.
Many electrolytically conductive jellies or pastes of the type hereinabove described-are known and used for the purpose of facilitating a low resistance contact between a biological body and a metal electrode. It has been observed, however, that these contact systems develop significant polarization potentials at the electrode and body interfaces with the jelly or paste. It has been found that this effect results in large measure from the presence of heavy metal ions entering into the electrolytic process. The heavy metal ions come primarily from diffusion of the electrode metal into the paste or jelly, although such ions also can come from the surface or skin of the biological body, as well as being initially present as an im purity in the paste itself.
Pursuant to the present invention, polarization from this source is essentially eliminated by the incorporation of a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent in the conductive paste or jelly. Any known heavy metal ion complexing agent may be used for this purpose, provided the material is not antagonistic to the biological body. It has been found that ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, and its usual salts are particularly useful for the purposes of this invention, although it should be understood that the invention is not considered to be limited thereto. Among the salts of EDTA found particularly useful are the disodium salts, the calcium disodium salts, etc. Also nitrilo 'tri-acetic acid and its salts are found particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention. The complexing agent is found to be effective when present in the conductive jelly in amounts as low as about 0.05% by weight; and the preferred concentration is between about 0.05% and about 2%, preferably about 0.1% to 1%.
To further illustrate the present invention, the following illustrative specific example is provided, the percentages being by weight:
Percent Sodium lauryl sulfate 1.0 Glyceryl monostearate (free from soap) 11.0
It is understood, of course, that this example is only illustrative of the invention, and that the invention is ap plicable to other electrolytically conductive contact pastes or jellies. Likewise, the benefit-s of the invention can be realized with other known heavy metal ion complexing agents.
What is claimed is:
1. An electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material for use in establishing a low resistance contact between a metal electrode and a biological body, comprising an aqueous solution of highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity of the material, a thickening agent in suflicient quantity to impart a paste-like body to the material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the material, and said complexing agent is EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
2. A material as set forth in claim 1, wherein said highly ionizable salt is either sodium chloride or sodium carbonate.
3. An electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material for use in establishing a low resistance contact between a metal electrode and a biological body, comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity of the material, a thickeining agent in sufiicient quantity to impart a paste-like body to the material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent being EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
4. A method of making low resistance electrical contact between a metal electrode and a biological body comprising applying between the electrode and the body an electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material, said material comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity for the material, a thickening agent in sufficient quantity to impart a paste-like consistency to said material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated; said complexing agent being present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the material, and said complexing agent being 'EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
5. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said highly ionizable salt is sodium chloride or sodium carbonate.
6. A method of making low resistance electrical contact between a metal electrode and a biological body comprising applying between the electrode and the body an electrolytically conductive paste or jelly material, said material comprising an aqueous solution of a highly ionizable salt providing the electrolytic conductivity for the material, a thickening agent in sufficient quantity to impart a paste-like consistency to said material, and a small percentage of a heavy metal ion complexing agent dissolved in said solution, whereby polarization potentials arising from the presence of heavy metal ions in the material are substantially eliminated, said complexing agent being EDTA, nitrilo tri-acetic acid, a salt thereof or a mixture thereof.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,333 3/1962 Friedman 252518 3,048,549 8/1962 Adams 252-5l8 3,265,638 8/1966 Goodman 252-518 3,210,248 10/1965 Feldmann 2523 16 OTHER REFERENCES Martell and Calvin, Chemistry of the Metal Chelate Compounds, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Clilfs, N.J., 1952. Copy in U.S. Patent Ofiice Library QD411M38 pages 511, 512.
Lewis, Electrode Jelly in Electrocardiography, British Heart J., 1965, Vol.27, pp. 107-109.
DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 252-316
US691704A 1966-12-31 1967-12-19 Electrolytically conductive paste Expired - Lifetime US3658726A (en)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2170227A1 (en) * 1972-02-03 1973-09-14 Ndm Corp
WO1981000785A1 (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-03-19 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Cohesive nonsticky electrically conductive gel composition
EP0029450A1 (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-06-03 Edward Chalmers Epilation method and system.
US4299231A (en) * 1977-06-18 1981-11-10 Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft Electrically conductive, visco-elastic gel and its use in electrode
EP0055517A1 (en) * 1980-12-01 1982-07-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Non-polarizable bioelectrode
US5053341A (en) * 1989-10-06 1991-10-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Tissue simulating gel for medical research
US5370115A (en) * 1992-03-17 1994-12-06 Nihon Kohden Corporation Bio-electrode and method of producing thereof
US20130178812A1 (en) * 2010-07-12 2013-07-11 Molnlycke Health Care Ab Multilayer wound dressing with conductive regions
US8538552B2 (en) 2007-01-09 2013-09-17 Angel Medical Systems, Inc. Adaptive conductive lead systems

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2170227A1 (en) * 1972-02-03 1973-09-14 Ndm Corp
US4299231A (en) * 1977-06-18 1981-11-10 Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft Electrically conductive, visco-elastic gel and its use in electrode
EP0029450A1 (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-06-03 Edward Chalmers Epilation method and system.
EP0029450A4 (en) * 1979-05-29 1983-03-04 Edward Chalmers Epilation method and system.
WO1981000785A1 (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-03-19 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Cohesive nonsticky electrically conductive gel composition
EP0055517A1 (en) * 1980-12-01 1982-07-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Non-polarizable bioelectrode
US5053341A (en) * 1989-10-06 1991-10-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Tissue simulating gel for medical research
US5370115A (en) * 1992-03-17 1994-12-06 Nihon Kohden Corporation Bio-electrode and method of producing thereof
US8538552B2 (en) 2007-01-09 2013-09-17 Angel Medical Systems, Inc. Adaptive conductive lead systems
US20130178812A1 (en) * 2010-07-12 2013-07-11 Molnlycke Health Care Ab Multilayer wound dressing with conductive regions
US9161859B2 (en) * 2010-07-12 2015-10-20 Mölnlycke Health Care Ab Multilayer wound dressing with conductive regions

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Publication number Publication date
DE1564103A1 (en) 1969-12-18
DE1564103C3 (en) 1978-06-22
DE1564103B2 (en) 1977-08-18

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