Adjustable geometry wearable electrodes

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for use of wearable electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies improve comfort by providing increased overall surface area of their bottom surfaces, which make contact with the patient's scalp and hair. Collapse, compression, or telescoping of the bottom surface will thereby decrease the direct force and/or pressure applied by the distal member or members of the bottom surfaces to the skin. This may be advantageous in patients who have little to no hair in electrode contact areas, patient populations that are particularly skin-sensitive, and/or patients which must wear the electrode assemblies of an extended time period. The electrode assemblies further include structures to dispense and/or maintain conductive gel placed over the patient's skin, thereby maintaining electrical connection quality, and/or to facilitate the clearing of skin and/or hair prior to establishing an electrical connection.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An electrode assembly comprising:
 an electrode body defining an interior reservoir for storing a tissue conductive fluid or gel and having a bottom opening to dispense the tissue conductive fluid or gel, the electrode body comprising a first body member and a second body member operatively coupled to one another; and   a valve coupled to the electrode body and configured to interface with an external dispenser of the tissue conductive fluid or gel,   wherein the second body member is compressible in response to an increase in force applied to the electrode body.   
     
     
         32 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the second body member comprises a flexible skirt. 
     
     
         33 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the second body member comprises an elastomeric material, a rubber material, a compressible foam, a compressible open-celled foam, a silicone-based material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The electrode assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the second body member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         35 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first body member is rigid. 
     
     
         36 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the valve is coupled to the first body member of the electrode body. 
     
     
         37 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the second body member is conductive. 
     
     
         38 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first body member and the second body members are coaxial. 
     
     
         39 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the external dispenser is configured to apply the increase in force to the electrode body that compresses the second body member. 
     
     
         40 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second body members are configured to telescope relative to one another in response to the increase in force. 
     
     
         41 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second body members have a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         42 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the bottom opening is provided on the second body member. 
     
     
         43 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the external dispenser comprises one or more of a syringe, a manual squeeze tube, or a roller squeeze tube. 
     
     
         44 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the electrode body is configured to receive EEG signals. 
     
     
         45 . The electrode assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising an accelerometer. 
     
     
         46 . A wearable sensor apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of electrode assemblies spaced apart on a carrier backing, wherein each of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises:
 an electrode body defining an interior reservoir for storing a tissue conductive fluid or gel and having a bottom opening to dispense the tissue conductive fluid or gel, the electrode body comprising a first body member and a second body member operatively coupled to one another; and 
 a valve coupled to the electrode body and configured to interface with an external dispenser of the tissue conductive fluid or gel, 
   wherein the second body member is compressible in response to an increase in force applied to the electrode body.   
     
     
         47 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the carrier backing comprises a headband configured to be placed around the around the head of a patient. 
     
     
         48 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the carrier backing comprises headgear configured to be placed over the head of a patient. 
     
     
         49 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of electrode assemblies are configured to receive EEG signals. 
     
     
         50 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the second body member comprises a flexible skirt. 
     
     
         51 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the second body member is conductive. 
     
     
         52 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the external dispenser comprises one or more of a syringe, a manual squeeze tube, or a roller squeeze tube. 
     
     
         53 . The wearable sensor apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising an accelerometer.