Abstract:
An applicator for applying an electrode to a patient, and a system for recording of the electroencephalographic potential, the evoked potential, and the ground and reference potentials in electroenceophalographic and evoked potential measurements, is disclosed herein. The applicator includes a main body and a plunger unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/481,140, filed on Apr. 29, 2011, and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,331, filed on Feb. 5, 2012, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/125,802, filed on May 22, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,141, issued on Feb. 7, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/939,523, filed May 22, 2007, now abandoned, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to electrode applicators, and systems utilizing electrode applicators. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The prior art discusses traditional electrode applicators. 
     Currently, invasive subdermal electroencephalographic (EEG) needle electrodes and non-invasive standard (cutaneous) EEG electrodes are used in the collection of EEG data. Needle electrodes are Class II medical devices, classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 882.1350 (FDA product code GXZ). Cutaneous electrodes are also Class II per CFR 882.1320 (FDA product code GXY). Subdermal needle electrodes are fast to deploy into the scalp by a user, but have inherent safety risks due to their needle-like configuration Cutaneous electrodes can be slow to apply and often require scalp abrasion, conductive gel and/or adhesives in use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The electrode applicator of the present invention is used to apply an electrode that is intended for use in the recording of the electroencephalogram (EEG), the evoked potential (EP), or as ground and reference in an EEG and EP recording. 
     The electrodes are supplied sterile with the electrode applicators, intended for single patient use, and are disposable. EEG leads connect to the electrodes for performing an EEG. The EEG leads are supplied non-sterile and are reusable. Once connected to the electrodes, the EEG leads are connected to any commercially available EEG equipment. The electrodes are to be applied by trained or skilled personnel under the direction of a physician. The user should wear clean medical gloves during application of electrodes to the patient. However, the gloves do not need to be sterile. The patient&#39;s scalp skin at the electrode insertion site should be prepared with an antiseptic or alcohol wipe prior to electrode application. 
     The use of the electrode applicator is as follows. A user opens the electrode&#39;s sterile pack and removes an electrode applicator from the pack. One electrode is contained within each electrode applicator. Using the thumb and index finger, the user presses on the tabs that hold the applicator&#39;s cap in place and pulls the cap upward to remove it and expose the electrode contained within the applicator. The cap should then be discarded. 
     To maintain electrode sterility, if an electrode applicator is accidentally dropped during electrode deployment, discard the applicator and obtain/use a new applicator. Place the applicator, electrode end down, on the skin site of the scalp chosen for the electrode&#39;s placement. 
     If necessary, first separate the patient&#39;s hair at the electrode placement site using fingers or the blunt end of a cotton-tipped applicator stick. The electrode applicator should be oriented so that the electrode&#39;s teeth are resting on the scalp and the applicator&#39;s plunger is facing up. Using two fingers on the finger pads of the applicator, press downward toward the skin with light to moderate pressure in order to begin engaging the electrode&#39;s teeth with the skin. Then, using a third finger, press down on the plunger to mechanically deploy the electrode into the skin. When the plunger is completely depressed the electrode is deployed. Discard the electrode applicator. 
     If possible, view the electrode placement site to verify that all the teeth at the ends of all three legs of the electrode are embedded into the skin. If a leg did not properly engage the skin, remove the electrode, discard it and insert a new electrode. Connect the female connector on the wire extending from the electrode to the male connector on the EEG lead. Connect the female end of the EEG lead to commercial EEG equipment and follow standard procedures for setting up and running an EEG. To avoid contact with patient biomaterials, avoid contact with the applicator&#39;s electrode deployment region after use and dispose of according to standard bio-medical waste handling protocols. During EEG monitoring and electrode use, check the electrode insertion site regularly for any signs of infection, reddening, or discharge. Remove electrode, as needed. 
     Once EEG monitoring is complete, disconnect the EEG lead from each electrode. Leads can be reused after cleaning, however, the electrode is a single-use, disposable EEG electrode. 
     To remove an electrode, grasp the electrode&#39;s wire within 1-2 centimeters of the electrode site on the scalp, and then pull quickly, directly upward, away from the scalp. Pull in a direction perpendicular to the scalp at the electrode site until the electrode pulls free of the scalp. Discard all used electrodes. There is a slight chance that minor capillary bleeding may be present once an electrode has been removed. Should this occur, press a sterile cotton pad on the site and hold until bleeding has stopped. Avoid all contact with the electrodes after use and dispose of electrodes in a medical sharps container according to standard bio-medical waste handling protocols. 
     Following use, an EEG lead can be cleaned by using an alcohol wipe, or a gauze pad soaked in a 10% Clorox solution, to wipe the lead. Do not submerge the lead&#39;s connectors in any solution. Do not autoclave the lead. Allow the lead to air dry prior to next use. 
     The electrode is very small, with a footprint of approximately 0.6 cm and a very thin (˜0.004 inch) height profile. It is preferably made from a super-elastic Nitinol material and is flexible. The electrode preferably has 3 legs (a tri-pod configuration) that each terminates in micro-teeth that penetrate the top layers of the scalp dermis during subdermal electrode placement. 
     The electrode is used in conjunction with an accessory lead that is provided non-sterile and is reusable. The lead is approximately 48 inches in length and is used to connect one of the electrodes to a commercially available EEG monitor, including but not limited to, systems that acquire, amplify and transform the signals received from the electrodes. 
     One aspect of the present invention is a system for recording of the electroencephalographic potential, the evoked potential, and the ground and reference potentials in electroenceophalographic and evoked potential measurements. The system includes a resilient electrode, electroencephalograph equipment, a lead wire and an applicator. The resilient electrode has an initial configuration and a deformed configuration. The electrode has an edge carrying sharp points. The lead wire is connectable to the electroencephalograph equipment and to the electrode. The electrode is adapted to send electrical signals through the lead wire to the electroencephalograph equipment. The applicator has a recess formed therein to hold the electrode in the deformed configuration and a hole in registration with the recess through which the electrode can pass from the applicator when the electrode is in the deformed configuration so that, when the applicator is held against skin of a patient, and the electrode has been urged from the recess and through the hole, the electrode springs resiliently from the deformed configuration to the initial configuration as the electrode exits the hole thereby embedding the sharp points into the skin of the patient. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a system for recording of the electroencephalographic potential, the evoked potential, and the ground and reference potentials in electroenceophalographic and evoked potential measurements. The system includes a resilient electrode, electroencephalograph equipment, a lead wire and an applicator. The resilient electrode has an initial configuration and a deformed configuration. The electrode has an edge carrying sharp points. The lead wire is connectable to the electroencephalograph equipment and to the electrode. The electrode is adapted to send electrical signals through the lead wire to the electroencephalograph equipment. The applicator has a main body, a plunger unit and a cap. The main body has a recess formed therein, and the electrode is held in the deformed configuration when in the recess. The resilient electrode preferably in the deformed configuration and placed in the recess. The plunger unit is received within the main body and in operative connection with the main body proximate to the recess. The cap is removably attached to the main body. When the cap is removed and the plunger is pressed, the plunger urges the electrode from the recess of the main body. The electrode springs resiliently to the initial configuration from the deformed configuration. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device for use with electroencephalographic equipment. The device includes a resilient electrode and an applicator. The resilient electrode has an initial configuration and a deformed configuration. The electrode has a radial edge carrying sharp points. The applicator has a recess formed therein to hold the electrode in the deformed configuration and a hole in registration with the recess through which the electrode can pass from the applicator when the electrode is in the deformed configuration so that, when the applicator is held against skin of a patient, and the electrode has been urged from the recess and through the hole, the electrode springs resiliently from the deformed configuration to the initial configuration as the electrode exits the hole thereby embedding the sharp points into the skin of the patient. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a resilient electrode and an applicator for use with electroencephalographic equipment. The resilient electrode has an initial configuration and a deformed configuration. The applicator has a main body, a plunger unit and a cap. The main body has a recess formed therein, and the electrode is held in a deformed configuration when in the recess. The plunger unit is received within the main body and in operative connection with the main body proximate to the recess. The cap is removably attached to the main body. When the cap is removed and the plunger is pressed, the plunger urges the electrode from the recess of the main body. The electrode springs resiliently to the initial configuration from the deformed configuration. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device for use with electroencephalographic equipment. The device includes a flat, resilient electrode and an applicator. The flat, resilient electrode has an initial configuration and a deformed configuration. The electrode has multiple legs, with each leg carrying sharp points. The applicator has a recess formed therein to hold the electrode in the deformed configuration when the legs of the electrode are bent so that, when the applicator is held against the skin of a patient, and the electrode has been urged from the recess, the electrode springs resiliently from the deformed configuration to the initial configuration as the electrode exits the hole, thereby embedding the sharp points into the skin of the patient. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device for use in inserting an electrode into the skin of a patient so that the electrode can pass signals from the skin to electroencephalograph equipment. The electrode is flexible so as to be bent from an initial configuration to a deformed condition upon application of force and then return to the initial configuration when the force is removed. The device includes an applicator having a main body, a plunger unit and a cap. The main body has a recess formed therein. The recess is dimensioned to receive and having received the electrode when the electrode is in the deformed configuration. The plunger unit is received within the main body and in operative connection with the main body proximate to the recess. The cap is removably attached to the main body. When the plunger is pressed, the plunger urges the electrode from the recess of the main body. The electrode springs resiliently to the initial configuration from the deformed configuration. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is an electrode applicator for applying an electrode to a patient. The electrode applicator includes a main body and a plunger unit. The main body has a central aperture and an electrode holding section for maintaining an electrode. The plunger unit has a cylindrical portion positioned within the central aperture. The plunger unit also has a user interface section. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for applying an electrode to a patient. The method includes removing a sterility protection cap from electrode applicator. The method also includes identifying a location a patient for application of an electrode. The method also includes positioning the electrode applicator at the location on the patient. The method also includes depressing a plunger unit of the electrode applicator to insert a plurality of teeth of the electrode into the patient to attach the electrode to the patient. The method also includes removing pressure from the plunger unit. The method also includes connecting a lead of the electrode to a monitoring machine. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a device for use with electroencephalographic equipment. The device includes a resilient electrode having a curved configuration and an applicator. The applicator includes a main body and plunger unit. The main body has a central aperture and an electrode holding section for maintaining the resilient electrode in the curved configuration. The plunger unit has a cylindrical portion positioned within the central aperture. The plunger unit also has a user interface section. The resilient electrode is flattened as the resilient electrode is pressed into skin of a patient using the plunger unit. The resilient electrode is preferably composed of a stainless steel material. 
     Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an electrode placed on a fingernail of a user to demonstrate the size of a preferred electrode. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator held in the hands of a user and prepared for removal of a top cap. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator held in the hands of a user positioned for depressing into a scalp of a patient. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of an electrode. 
         FIG. 7A  is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode with score lines for bending. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a user lifting a lead of the electrode from a scalp of a patient. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator in use with a user applying an electrode to a patient. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator with an electrode in the deformed configuration positioned for application to a patient. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the electrode applicator of  FIG. 12  along line  13 - 13 . 
         FIG. 13A  is a cross-sectional view of an electrode applicator prior to attachment of a removable cap. 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view of an electrode applicator with a cap being attached to a main body. 
         FIG. 13C  is a cross-sectional view of an electrode applicator with a cap attached to a main body. 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of an electrode. 
         FIG. 14A  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an electrode. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator with an alternative embodiment of an electrode in the deformed configuration positioned in the recess of the applicator. 
         FIG. 16A  is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator with a preferred embodiment of an electrode in the deformed configuration positioned in the recess of the applicator. 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an electrode applied and embedded in the skin of a patient. 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of circle  18  of  FIG. 17  with an alternative embodiment of an electrode. 
         FIG. 18  A is an enlarged view of circle  18  of  FIG. 17  with a preferred embodiment of an electrode with score lines. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an electrode. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an electrode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electrode applicator  25  preferably comprises a main body  27 , a plunger unit  26  and a removable cap  28 . The electrode applicator  25  preferably has a length ranging from 1 cm to 10 cm, and a diameter ranging from 1 cm to 5 cm. The electrode applicator is composed of a plastic material. 
       FIG. 2  shows an electrode applicator&#39;s bottom view with the removable cap  28  in view. The removable cap  28  has extensions  28   a  for engaging with and attaching to the main body  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an electrode  40  is compared in scale to a finger of a user  50 . The electrode&#39;s  40  default position is preferably flat. The electrode  40  is preferably flexed while contained within the applicator  25  or when being removed from the patient&#39;s skin. 
       FIG. 4  shows the electrode applicator  25  prior to use. The cap  28  protects the electrode  40 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , and maintains the sterility of the electrode  40  before application on a patient. The cap  28  is preferably positioned over an electrode holding section. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the removable cap  28  is removed by compressing the extensions (finger tabs)  28   a  towards the center of the main body  27  of the applicator  25  and then lifting the removable cap  28  from the main body  27 . 
     After the cap  28  is removed, when applying an electrode  40  to a patient, a user (e.g., nurse or technician)  50  positions the applicator  25  on the skin  55  of the patient and depresses the plunger unit  26 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Inside the applicator  25 , the electrode  40  is curved upwards into the recess of the applicator  25  with the prongs  41  pointing downwards (later shown in  FIG. 10 ), and as the plunger  26  pushes the electrode  40  down into the skin, the prongs  41  dig down into the skin and outward, thereby flattening itself out again. A wire  45  extends from an electrode  40  and a lead  46  is located at the opposite end of the wire  45  from the electrode  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , a preferred electrode  40  has a plurality of legs  43  with each leg  43  having a plurality of prongs  41 . The electrode  40  also has score lines for facilitating bending. A lead  46  is located at the opposite end of the wire  45  from the electrode  40 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of an electrode  40  has a plurality of legs  43  with each leg  43  having a plurality of prongs  41 . A lead  46  is located at the opposite end of the wire  45  from the electrode  40  The lead connects to the monitoring equipment, not shown. In a preferred embodiment, there are three legs  43 , and each leg  43  has three prongs  41 . A more thorough description of an electrode utilized with the present invention is detailed in Wilson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,141 for a Method And Device For Quick Press On EEG Electrode, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The electrode  40  preferably has a plurality of prongs  41  for attachment to a patient&#39;s skin and each leg of the electrode  40  has side notches  42  for placement within the electrode applicator  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the electrode  40 , when attached to a patient  55  allows for a user  50  to pull on the lead  46  thereby extending the wire  45  and causing the electrode  40 , still attached to the patient  55 , to flex upwards. To remove the electrode  40 , the user  50  pulls the lead  46  straight upward. 
     A preferred embodiment of an electrode applicator  25  in use is shown in  FIG. 9 . A nurse  50 , or other trained medical professional, applies the applicator  25  to the patient  55 . A wire  45  with a lead  46  extends from the electrode  40  to connect to the EEG reading and/or analysis equipment  47  via the connection wire  47 A. 
       FIG. 17  shows a close-up view of the patient  55  with the electrode  40  applied to the patient&#39;s scalp  55 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 18A  further show an enlarged view of the electrode  40  during use. The electrode in  FIG. 18A  has score lines to facilitate bending of the legs  43  of the electrode  40 . The prongs are embedded under the skin of the patient  55  so that only the main portion of the electrode  40  and the legs  43  are visible. 
     An electrode applicator  25  with an electrode  40  positioned therein is shown in  FIG. 10 . A bottom portion  29  of the electrode applicator  25  has a recess  30  for placement of the electrode  40 . The bottom portion has extensions  31  for engaging the notches  42  of the electrode  40  in order to position the electrode  40  in a concave position for attachment to a patient. The potential energy of the electrode  40  in the alternative position will cause the electrode  40  to secure itself in the patient&#39;s skin. 
       FIG. 11  shows each of the components of the electrode applicator  25 . The plunger unit  26  preferably comprises a top section (upper flange)  26 A a center section (cylindrical section)  26 B and the bottom section (electrode engagement)  26 C. The plunger  26  is housed within the main body  27  of the applicator  25 . The cap  28  is removable through the use of the extensions (finger tabs)  28 A, which attach the cap  28  to the main body  27 . 
       FIG. 12  is a profile side view of the electrode applicator  25 .  FIG. 13  shows the sectional view of  FIG. 12 , with no electrode  40  in the recess of the main body  27  of the applicator  25 .  FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate a downward projection from a center of an underside of the cap  28  that facilitates seating the electrode  40  in the recess of the main body  27  and having the notches  42  lock onto extensions  31  of the main body  27 . The electrode  40  placed over the recess of the main body  27  of the applicator  25  with the legs  43  of the electrode  40  seated in respective channels of the main body  27 . Then, when the cap  28  is attached, a downward projection on an underside of the cap  28  deforms the electrode  40  far enough so that the extensions  31  of the applicator  25  slip into the notches  42  of the electrode  40 . Then, when the cap  28  is removed from the main body  27 , the electrode  40  preferably remains deformed and held in place by the extensions  31 . 
       FIG. 14  is an isolated enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of the electrode  40 . A preferred embodiment of the electrode  40  is shown in  FIG. 14A . The electrode  40  has a plurality of legs  43  with each leg  43  having a plurality of prongs  41 . There are preferably three legs  43 , and each leg  43  has three prongs  41 . In a preferred embodiment, the electrode  40  has score lines to facilitate bending. The electrode is relatively small, with a footprint of approximately 0.6 cm. 
       FIG. 15  is a profile side view of an isolated electrode  40 . The electrode  40  has a very thin height profile. The preferred height H is approximately 0.004 inches. 
       FIGS. 16 and 16A  illustrate a bottom plan view of an applicator  25  with an electrode  40  positioned therein. The electrode in  FIG. 16A  has score lines to facilitate bending of the legs  43  of the electrode  40 . The bottom portion  29  of the electrode applicator  25  acts as an electrode holding section for the applicator  25 . The bottom portion  29  has a recess  30  for placement of the electrode  40 . The bottom portion  29  also has extensions  31  for engaging the notches  42  of the electrode  40  in order to position the electrode  40  in a concave position for attachment to a patient. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  are other examples of the electrode  40 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the electrode  40  has two legs  43  and in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the electrode  40  has four legs  43  (instead of 3 legs in the example of the preferred embodiment of the electrode  40  illustrated in  FIG. 14 ). It is to be recognized that other embodiments may have different numbers of legs  43  and/or teeth  41 . 
     As described above, the electrode  40  is deployed into the skin using an applicator  25 . The predicate needle electrodes are deployed by the user hand inserting each electrode through the skin. The use of the applicator  25  aids the user in more rapid placement of the electrodes  40 , but also helps reduce the risk of an accidental sharps injury by the device user coming into contact during the hand-application of the sharp tips of the needle electrodes. 
     Unlike the needle electrode, skin penetration of the electrode  40  is controlled by the design of the micro teeth and is substantially less than that of the predicate needle electrode. The electrode  40  preferably penetrates the skin to a depth of ˜ 1/20 of 1 inch (˜1 mm), as opposed to the needle electrode which penetrates the skin ˜10-12 mm. Due to this difference, the amount of patient discomfort during electrode insertion is expected to be much less compared with the use of needle electrodes. 
     The electrode  40  is preferably a single-use, disposable EEG electrode. The electrode  40  is relatively small, with a footprint of approximately 0.6 cm and a very thin (˜0.004 inch) height profile. 
     Once embedded in the skin, symmetrical forces prevent the electrode  40  from moving or dislodging from the skin. Thus, there is no need for adhesive, conducting gel or paste to keep the electrode in place or to maintain good electrical contact. 
     The predicate needle electrodes are made from medical grade stainless steel. The electrode  40  is preferably composed of nitinol, a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, a common material used in medical devices (e.g., cardiovascular stents, etc.). Nitinol is preferred due to its flexibility, a characteristic important in the deployment of the electrode. Nitinol is also known to be biocompatible and is routinely used in medical devices placed in far more invasive body environments than subdermal applications. 
     The electrode  40  is preferably a small thin flattened tripod-shaped electrode (when deployed) as opposed to the predicate electrodes which are needle-shaped. Even with the electrode shape difference, the electrode and needle electrode of the prior art still have the same approximate total electrode skin-embedded surface area of 15 mm 2 . 
     From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes modification and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.