Patent Publication Number: US-2022224030-A1

Title: Systems and methods for coupling electrodes and electrical components

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/054941, filed Oct. 9, 2020 and titled “Systems and Methods for Coupling Electrodes and Electrical Components,” which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/913,601, filed Oct. 10, 2019, and titled “Systems and Methods for Coupling Electrodes and Electrical Components,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical connector system consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical connector body consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the electrical connector body consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of an electrode clamp consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a front view of the electrode clamp consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a perspective view of an electrode clamp comprising a plurality of metal dowels to make electrical contact between an electrode and a printed circuit board (“PCB”) consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a view of a PCB assembly consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a view of an electrode consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view illustrating insertion of a PCB assembly into an electrical connector body consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical connector body receiving an electrode consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a system wherein the electrode connector system is not coupled to the electrical component consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of a method of coupling an electrode and electrical components consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed herein are systems and methods for coupling electrodes to electrical components that may be utilized in a variety of applications to collect data from the electrodes and/or to transmit signals via the electrodes. In certain embodiments, an electrical connector system may be used to couple an electrode to an electrical component including an electric connector, a card edge contact, or another electrical component. The electrode may be utilized to collect data from a variety of sources including the surface of a patient&#39;s brain, spinal column, other surfaces of the body, muscle tissue, or other electrically active elements. 
     The electrode may comprise two ends: one end may be utilized to record and/or stimulate a target area, and the other end may be utilized to connect to the electrical component. A first end of the electrode may be utilized to interface with a bioelectrically active target area, such as the surface of the brain, and may be used to receive bioelectric signals. A second end of the electrode may be utilized to connect to the electrical component and may transmit the signals received from the surface of the brain, or other target area, to the electrical component. By coupling the electrode to the electrical component, data received by the electrode may be collected by the electrical component and used to monitor electrical signals in the surface on which the electrode is disposed, such as a patient&#39;s brain. In addition, signals may be transmitted via the electrode to stimulate the target area. 
     The present disclosure includes various embodiments utilizing the electrical connector system to couple the electrode to the electrical component. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide a simple and reliable connection between the electrode and a variety of other devices, including monitoring systems. Such monitoring systems may include systems for monitoring and analyzing neurological signals in animals and humans. An inability to connect, disconnect, and reconnect electrodes and electrical components provides challenges in the ability to collect data. Without the ability to collect data read by the electrodes in an easy, reliable, and practical manner, the data may be useless. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical connector system  100  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical connector system  100  may include an electrode connection system  102 , an electrical connector body  104 , an electrode clamp  106 , an electrode  110 , and an electrical connection  114 . A PCB assembly (not shown) disposed within the electrical connector body  104  may be in electrical communication with the electrode  110 . The electrode connection system  102  allows the electrical connection  114  to collect data from the electrode  110  via the electrical connection  114 . The data may be transmitted via the electrical connector system  100  to a system for recording bioelectric signals (not shown). Further, the system may also generate bioelectrical signals that are transmitted via the electrical connector system  100  and used to stimulate a target area. 
     The electrode connection system  102  is utilized to stabilize the electrode  110  and allow the electrical connection  114  to receive data from the electrode  110 . The electrode  110  may be comprised of two ends: a first end to receive data from and/or stimulate a target area, and a second end to connect to the electrical connection  114 . A first plurality of electrically active electrode pads (not shown) may be disposed on the first end of the electrode to receive bioelectrical signals from a target area, and a second plurality of electrically active electrode pads may be disposed on the second end of the electrode and be in electrical communication with the electrical connection  114 . 
     The electrical connector body  104  may receive the PCB assembly and the electrode  110 . In some embodiments, the electrode clamp  106  may secure the electrode  110  within the electrical connector body  104 . The electrical connection  114  may be selectively coupled to the electrode connection system  102 . In some embodiments, the electrical connector system  100  may include the electrical connection  114  coupled to the PCB assembly. In these embodiments, the data received by the electrode  110  may be transmitted via the electrical connection  114 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the electrical connector body  104  consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical connector body  104  may include a PCB assembly cavity  202  and an electrode channel  204 . The PCB assembly cavity  202  may receive a PCB assembly (not shown). In some embodiments, the PCB assembly cavity  202  may hold the PCB assembly. The electrode channel  204  may receive an electrode (not shown). In some embodiments, the electrode channel  204  may hold the electrode. The electrical connector body  104  may receive a PCB assembly and an electrode. In some embodiments, the PCB assembly is coupled to the electrode within the electrical connector body  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrode clamp (e.g., electrode clamp  106  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may be connected to the electrical connector body  104  using a hinge created by a hinge protrusion  208  and a corresponding indentation on the electrode clamp. The hinge protrusion  208  and a corresponding indentation on the electrode clamp may allow the electrode clamp to be opened to receive an electrode and closed to secure the electrode within the electrode channel  204 . In other embodiments, a hinge may be formed in other ways. 
     In some embodiments, the electrode clamp engages with an engaging mechanism  206  in a closed position. The engaging mechanism  206  may permit the electrode clamp to secure an electrode within the electrode channel  204  in a closed position, while also allowing the electrode clamp  106  to be opened and permitting the electrode to be removed from the electrode channel  204 . 
     In various embodiments, the electrode channel  204  may be shaped to receive an electrode having a corresponding shape. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of alignment indicators  210 ,  212  may accommodate corresponding features of the electrode. Such features may be used to place the electrode in electrode channel  204  at the appropriate location to align electrical contacts of the electrode and the PCB assembly. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the electrical connector body  104  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the engaging mechanism  206  may be a snap lock. The engaging mechanism  206  may comprise a ridge onto which a locking mechanism disposed on the electrical connector may clamp. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the electrode clamp  106  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, a hinge  306  may rotatably couple to the electrical connector body (illustrated in  FIG. 2B ) using the hinge protrusion (illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) and a hinge dimple  308 . In alternative embodiments, other types of hinges or connectors may be utilized to secure the electrode (not shown) within the electrode channel (illustrated in  FIG. 2A ). For example, in one embodiment, a hinge may be formed using a deformable connection between a first portion of the electrode clamp  106  (e.g., the portion illustrated in  FIG. 3A ) and a second portion of the electrode clamp  106  (e.g., the portion illustrated in  FIG. 3C ). 
     A plurality of protrusions  304  may be disposed along the electrode clamp  106  at locations that correspond to points of electrical connection between the electrode and the PCB assembly. The protrusions  304  may be formed at a predetermined height to create a reliable electrical connection between the electrode and the PCB assembly. A plurality of electrode channel feature protrusions  310 ,  312  may be used to position the electrode within the electrode channel and at the appropriate height with respect to the PCB assembly. The channel feature protrusions  310 ,  312  may help to maintain an electrode in place and to prevent movement of the electrode with respect to the electrode clamp  106  when the electrode clamp  106  is closed. 
     The electrode clamp  106  may include a locking mechanism  302  and at least one protrusion  304 . In some embodiments, the electrode clamp  106  is pivotally connected to the electrical connector body using hinge  306 . The locking mechanism  302  is utilized to couple the electrode clamp  106  to the electrical connector body in a closed position. In some embodiments, an engaging mechanism (such as engaging mechanism  206  illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) engages with locking mechanism  302  to couple the electrode clamp  106  to the electrical connector body in the closed position. Coupling the electrical connector body to the electrode clamp  106  allows the PCB assembly and the electrode to be secured in the electrical connector body. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  302  may be a snap lock. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a front view of the electrode connector clamp  106  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode connector clamp  106  includes the locking mechanism  302 . The locking mechanism  302  is received by the engaging mechanism. Utilizing the locking mechanism  302  to couple to the engaging mechanism allows the electrode to be secured in the electrode channel. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  302  is a snap lock. The snap lock is received by the engaging mechanism to allow the electrode clamp  106  to be coupled to the electrical connector body. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a perspective view of the electrode clamp  106  in which the protrusions  304  are aligned with a corresponding plurality of metal dowels  314  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, protrusions  304  are formed by inserting metal dowels  314  through openings in the electrode clamp  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode clamp  106  comprises openings to receive the metal dowels  314 . The openings in the electrode clamp  106  are utilized to allow the metal dowels  314  to create a connection between the PCB assembly and the electrode. The metal dowels  314  may be utilized to hold the PCB assembly and the electrode in place and form a connection between the PCB assembly and the electrode. The metal dowels  314  may be inserted through the openings in the electrode clamp  106  to form the protrusions  304 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the PCB assembly  400  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The PCB assembly  400  may include a plurality of connector pads  402 . The connector pads  402  may be disposed at points of electrical connection between the electrode (not shown) and the PCB assembly  400 . The connector pads  402  may receive signals from the electrode, or the connector pads  402  may transmit signals to the electrode. In some embodiments, the PCB assembly  400  may include electrical connectors  404 ,  406  to couple to other systems, such as recording or stimulation systems. In some embodiments, the PCB assembly  400  may include card edge contacts to couple to an electrical component (not shown). 
     As may be appreciated from  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3C , and  FIG. 4 , the protrusions  304  (illustrated in  FIG. 3A ) and the metal dowels  314  (illustrated in  FIG. 3C ) may align with the connector pads  402 . The protrusions  304  may press an electrically active area of the electrode into contact with the metal dowels  314 , which may in turn make an electrical connection between the electrode and PCB assembly  400 . 
     The PCB assembly  400  may provide an electrical interface between the electrode and other systems (e.g., recording or stimulation systems); however, other types of interfaces may be used in other embodiments. For example, the metal dowels  314  (illustrated in  FIG. 3C ) may be coupled to wires that may connect to such systems. In various embodiments, the wires may be coupled to other systems using a standardized or proprietary cable or interface. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a view of the electrode  500  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, electrode  500  includes a plurality of electrically active electrode pads  502  disposed at an end and suitable for use with various embodiments of the electrical connector systems disclosed herein. The opposite end of the electrode  500  may also include a plurality of electrically active electrode pads  502  that may interface with a target area (e.g., a patient&#39;s brain or other bioelectrically active area). The plurality of electrically active electrode pads on each end of the electrode may be in electrical communication via conductive paths through the electrode  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrode pads  502  may be electrically coupled to one or more connector pads, such as the connector pads  402  in  FIG. 4  on a PCB assembly  400 . Further, the electrode pads  502  may come into contact with electrical conductors (e.g., the metal dowels  314  illustrated in  FIG. 3C ) to collect electrical signals from or transmit electrical signals to the electrode  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrode  500  may be formed of a flexible material. In some embodiments, the electrode  500  may comprise a flat end tail. In some embodiments, the electrode  500  may comprise a round end tail. In some embodiments, the electrode  500  may comprise two ends, wherein one end is utilized to connect to a target area to gather data and/or stimulate the area and the other end is utilized for transmitting data to an electrical component. The portion of electrode  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be utilized for transmitting data to an electrical component. In some embodiments, the tail end of the electrode  500  is utilized to connect with the target area. In certain embodiments, the electrode  500  may comprise one or more of the electrodes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,134 and available from Ripple, LLC, of Salt Lake City, Utah. 
     Electrode  500  may include alignment features  510 ,  512  that may be used to align and secure electrode  500  within an electrode channel, such as electrode channel  204  illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Alignment features  510 ,  512  may be placed within corresponding electrode channel features, such as alignment indicators  210 ,  212  illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view  600  illustrating insertion of a PCB assembly  602  into an electrical connector body  604  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the electrical connector body  604  receives the PCB assembly  602  within a PCB assembly cavity  606 . The electrical connector body  604  may facilitate contact between the PCB assembly  602  and an electrode (not shown) placed within an electrode channel  608 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view  700  illustrating insertion of an electrode  710  into an electrical connector body  704  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical connector body  704  receives the electrode  710  within the electrode channel  708 . The electrode channel  708  is utilized to allow the electrical connector body  704  to receive the electrode  710  to couple the electrode  710  to the PCB assembly  702 . In some embodiments, the electrode channel  708  may correspond to the shape of electrode  710 . In some embodiments, the electrode channel  708  and the electrode  710  may be asymmetrical and include multiple features allowing the electrode  710  to be aligned and to remain in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode  710  is received within the electrode channel  708  such that at least one connector pad on the PCB assembly  702  is in electrical contact with at least one electrode pad on the electrode  710 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a system  800  wherein the electrode connector system  802  is not coupled to the electrical component  814  consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The system  800  may include the electrode connector system  802 , the electrical connector body  804 , the electrode clamp  806 , the electrode  810 , the PCB assembly, the coupling component  812 , and the electrical component  814 . The PCB assembly disposed within the electrode connector system  802  may be in electrical communication with the electrode  810 . In the illustrated embodiment, when the electrical component  814  is not coupled to the electrode  810 , the coupling component  812  is not engaged. The electrode connector system  802  is illustrated in the closed position; the PCB assembly and the electrode  810  are connected and stabilized. While the electrical component  814  is not coupled to the electrical connector system  800 , the electrical component  814  may not be utilized to collect data from the electrode  810 . Once the coupling component  812  is engaged, the coupling component  812  couples the electrical connector system  800  to the electrical component  814  and the electrical component  814  may collect data from the electrode  810 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of a method  900  of electrically connecting an electrode to a PCB assembly consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the electrode is placed on a target area to receive data from neural tissue or muscle tissue. In other embodiments, the electrode may be placed on a target area to stimulate neural tissue or muscle tissue. In some embodiments, an electrode clamp is placed in an open position. In some embodiments, the electrode utilizes two ends: one end for resting on a target area to collect data and stimulate the area, and another end for connecting to the electrical component. 
     At  902 , the electrical connector body may receive the PCB assembly. In some embodiments, a PCB assembly cavity may be disposed within the electrical connector body and may allow the electrical connector body to receive the PCB assembly. At  904 , the electrical connector body receives the electrode. In some embodiments, an electrode channel allows the electrical connector body to receive the electrode. At  906 , the electrical connector body is coupled to the electrode clamp. In some embodiments, at  906  the electrical connector body contains the PCB assembly and the electrode. In some embodiments, the electrical connector body and the electrode clamp are coupled together by the locking mechanism and the engaging mechanism. At  908 , the electrode connection system is coupled to the electrical component. In some embodiments, a coupling component comprises the electrical connector body. In some embodiments, the coupling component may comprise edge contacts. In some embodiments, the PCB assembly allows the coupling component to couple to the electrode connection system. In some embodiments, the coupling component collects data received or stimulated by the electrode. 
     Many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.