Abstract An iontophoretic bioelectrode includes an enclosure having a bottom wall formed of a membrane through which ions may migrate when subjected to an electric field, and an upper wall joined to the bottom wall to define an interior compartment for holding an ion-containing solution. An electrode in the form of the male portion of a conventional clothing snap is mounted to the enclosure to communicate electrically with solution contained in the interior compartment. A needle receiving element is mounted in the upper wall of the enclosure. This element is in the form of a section of conduit having a receiving end, which is directed upwardly, and a blocking end which includes a platform for preventing a needle inserted into the receiving end from passing all the way through the conduit. A resilient plug is disposed in the receiving end of the conduit to prevent solution from escaping from the interior compartment. The plug is formed of a material through which a needle may be inserted but which, when the needle is retracted, closes about the opening made by the needle to prevent the escape of solution.
A method of producing a bioelectrode comprising the steps of placing a hollow conduit with a resilient plug fitted in the top thereof onto a mold whose upper surface is generally dome shaped, the lower end of the conduit including a blocking element which prevents a needle from passing all the way through the conduit, said conduit including openings which allow ion-containing solution to flow therethrough from the conduit, placing a piece of vacuum formable material over the hollow conduit, plug and mold, vacuum forming the material to the shape of the mold with the hollow condit and plug thereon, removing the material and hollow conduit and plug from the mold, attaching a conductive element to the material so that a first portion of the element is exposed to the area underneath the material and a second portion is exposed to the area above the material, placing a cover of resilient material over the second portion of the conductive element, with one end of an electrical conductor sandwiched between the cover and second portion, joining a membrane to the perimeter of the material to define an interior compartment between the membrane and the material, said membrane being adapted to allow the migration of ions therethrough when an ion-containing solution in the interior compartment is subjected to an electric field, and placing a protective cover over the underneath sides of the material and membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
233 words
A method of producing a bioelectrode comprising the steps of placing a hollow conduit with a resilient plug fitted in the top thereof onto a mold whose upper surface is generally dome shaped, the lower end of the conduit including a blocking element which prevents a needle from passing all the way through the conduit, said conduit including openings which allow ion-containing solution to flow therethrough from the conduit, placing a piece of vacuum formable material over the hollow conduit, plug and mold, vacuum forming the material to the shape of the mold with the hollow condit and plug thereon, removing the material and hollow conduit and plug from the mold, attaching a conductive element to the material so that a first portion of the element is exposed to the area underneath the material and a second portion is exposed to the area above the material, placing a cover of resilient material over the second portion of the conductive element, with one end of an electrical conductor sandwiched between the cover and second portion, joining a membrane to the perimeter of the material to define an interior compartment between the membrane and the material, said membrane being adapted to allow the migration of ions therethrough when an ion-containing solution in the interior compartment is subjected to an electric field, and placing a protective cover over the underneath sides of the material and membrane.