Electrode construction for crevice corrosion protection

Abstract

An electrode includes an adhesive backing layer configured to adhere to skin of a subject, a conductive material layer coupled to the adhesive backing layer, a dielectric film border formed on the conductive material layer and separating a first area on the front surface of the conductive material layer from a second area on the front surface of the conductive material layer, an electrical lead coupled to a portion of the first area, and a conductive hydrogel coupled to the second area and configured to make electrical contact with the skin of the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrode comprising:
 an adhesive backing layer configured to adhere to skin of a subject;   a conductive material layer coupled to the adhesive backing layer;   a dielectric film border formed on the conductive material layer and separating a first area on the front surface of the conductive material layer from a second area on the front surface of the conductive material layer;   an electrical lead coupled to a portion of the first area; and   a conductive hydrogel coupled to the second area and configured to make electrical contact with the skin of the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the first area and the second are each uncovered by the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the first are is on a first side of the dielectric film border and the second area is on a second side of the dielectric film border opposite from the first side of the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric film border is formed as a closed geometric shape and the first area is defined by an inner perimeter of the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric film border is formed as a strip extending from a first side edge of the conductive material layer to a second side edge of the conductive material layer. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the first area is in electrical communication with the second area. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating film disposed between the conductive hydrogel and a terminal portion of the electrical lead in the first area. 
     
     
         8 . An electrode comprising:
 an adhesive backing layer configured to adhere to skin of a subject;   a conductive material layer coupled to the adhesive backing layer;   a dielectric film border formed on the conductive material layer and defining an area on the conductive material layer;   an electrical lead in contact with the area; and   a conductive hydrogel coupled to the conductive material layer and configured to make electrical contact with the skin of the subject, the conductive hydrogel not in contact with the area;   the electrode constructed and arranged to remain corrosion free for a time period of at least two years when maintained at an average temperature of 35 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         9 . The electrode of  claim 8 , constructed and arranged to remain substantially corrosion free for a time period of at least five years when maintained at an average temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein the dielectric film border separates the area from a remainder of a surface of the conductive material layer not including the area. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 8 , further comprising an insulating film disposed between the conductive hydrogel and the area. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 11 , wherein the insulating film and the conductive hydrogel are non-overlapping. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the conductive hydrogel overlaps a portion of the insulating film. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical lead includes a terminal potion in electrical contact with the area, the terminal portion having a height greater than a height of the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein the dielectric film border is formed as a closed geometric shape and the area is defined by an inner perimeter of the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein the dielectric film border is formed as a strip extending from a first side edge of the conductive material layer to a second side edge of the conductive material layer. 
     
     
         17 . An electrode comprising:
 an adhesive backing layer configured to adhere to skin of a subject;   a conductive material layer coupled to the adhesive backing layer;   a conductive hydrogel coupled to the conductive material layer and configured to make electrical contact with the skin of the subject;   a dielectric film border formed on the front surface of the conductive material layer and defining an enclosed area on the front surface of the conductive material layer;   an electrical lead in contact with the enclosed area; and   an insulating film separating the enclosed area from the conductive hydrogel.   
     
     
         18 . The electrode of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical lead includes a terminal potion in electrical contact with the enclosed area, the terminal portion having a height greater than a height of the dielectric film border. 
     
     
         19 . The electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the terminal portion is disposed entirely within the enclosed area. 
     
     
         20 . The electrode of  claim 17 , wherein the conductive hydrogel includes a portion disposed on the dielectric film border.