Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An interface element for use with a biomedical electrode comprising: a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte including a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface, said substrate further including a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion, the peripheral margin portion being adapted to form a vacuum seal against skin of a patient with a seal portion of an applied biomedical suction electrode, and the intermediate portion being permeable to air and expandable to a domed shape such that upon forming a seal with a biomedical suction electrode, any air disposed between a patient's skin and the skin contact surface may be evacuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An interface element for use with a biomedical electrode comprising: a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte including a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface, said substrate further including a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion, the peripheral margin portion being adapted to form a vacuum seal against skin of a patient with a seal portion of an applied biomedical suction electrode, and the intermediate portion being permeable to air and expandable to a domed shape such that upon forming a seal with a biomedical suction electrode, any air disposed between a patient's skin and the skin contact surface may be evacuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion comprises a plurality of slits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion comprises a woven or non-woven fibrous material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate is impregnated with a water soluble, solid electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a liquid absorbing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the peripheral margin portion is stiffened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate further comprises an annular adhesive zone on the skin contact surface in the peripheral margin portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a pad of electrolytic gel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An interface element as defined in claim 8, wherein the pad of electrolytic gel is circumscribed by an electrically insulating substrate zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a multiplicity of through openings which are filled with an electrolytic gel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interface element as defined in claim 10, wherein the substrate is dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of biomedical suction electrodes placed side by side thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interface element as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate has a generally circular configuration and further comprises a projecting finger grip portion projecting therefrom.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for making biomedical measurements, comprising the steps of: providing a suction electrode including a vacuum chamber with an edge seal portion and a central recessed electrode portion; providing an interface element comprising a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte including a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface, said substrate further comprising a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an air permeable intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion; applying the lamellar substrate to a patient with the skin contact surface against the patient's; applying the suction electrode on the lamellar substrate so that the edge seal portion engages the peripheral margin portion; evacuating the vacuum chamber to remove any air disposed between the patient's skin and the skin contact surface through the intermediate portion and to draw the skin and intermediate portion inwardly into the vacuum chamber so that the central portion of the electrode contact surface contacts the central recessed electrode portion, thereby securing the suction electrode to the skin of the patient for biomedical measurement.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for making biomedical measurements, comprising the steps of: providing a suction electrode including a vacuum chamber with an edge seal portion and a central recessed electrode portion; providing an interface element comprising a lamellar substrate for an electrolyte including a skin contact surface and an opposed electrode contact surface, said substrate further comprising a central portion, a peripheral margin portion and an air permeable intermediate portion disposed between the central portion and the peripheral margin portion; applying the lamellar substrate to a patient with the skin contact surface against the patient's; applying the suction electrode on the lamellar substrate so that the edge seal portion engages the peripheral margin portion; evacuating the vacuum chamber to remove any air disposed between the patient's skin and the skin contact surface through the intermediate portion and to draw the skin and intermediate portion inwardly into the vacuum chamber so that the central portion of the electrode contact surface contacts the central recessed electrode portion, thereby securing the suction electrode to the skin of the patient for biomedical measurement.