Skin screw electrodes

Abstract

Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes are disclosed that may include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation. The shallow and relatively long teeth run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient’s skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the tiny teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and move nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum, thus anchoring the electrode securely to the skin. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the small teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may be fabricated in a variety of geometries including cylindrical, disk, and blunt bullet or top shapes. In some instances, the electrodes may be connected to detachable leads having magnetic properties.

1 . A method, comprising
 applying an etchant-resistant chemical to a surface of a sheet of conductive material in a pattern that includes a plurality of flexible electrode extensions and a plurality of teeth on the flexible electrode extensions, wherein each of the teeth face a first direction; and   etching the patterned sheet of conductive material so as to define an electrode so that the plurality of flexible electrode extensions and the plurality of teeth on the flexible electrode extensions are situated on and extend outward from a distal edge of the electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned sheet of conductive material is etched so that a proximal edge of the electrode is planar. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible electrode extensions are boot shaped portions of the conductive sheet that face a second direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first direction is the same as the second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising forming the etched and patterned conductive material into a cylindrical section about an axis such that a surface of the proximal edge is perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein first direction is a first azimuthal direction with respect to the axis with the etched and patterned conductive material formed into the cylindrical section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible electrode extensions are boot shaped portions of the conductive sheet and face a second azimuthal direction with respect to the axis with the etched and patterned conductive material formed into the cylindrical section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first azimuthal direction is opposite the second azimuthal direction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first azimuthal direction is the same as the second azimuthal direction. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flexible electrode extensions defines a first open-ended gap and a second open-end gap facing opposite directions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein electrode extensions are arc-shaped and define and surround respective apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein electrode extensions are arc-shaped and define and surround an open-ended gap. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible electrode extensions face outward from the distal edge and along the distal edge at an angle of between 0 and 10 degrees with respect to the distal edge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of flexible electrode extensions includes a respective arcuate distal surface having a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the etching the patterned sheet of conductive defines a plurality of electrodes having flexible electrode extensions and respective pluralities of teeth on the flexible electrode extensions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising securing the cylindrical section to a disk substrate at the proximal edge. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the teeth are between 30 µm and 50 µm high at are at an angle of between 2 degrees and 5 degrees with respect to the disk substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the teeth have a depth of less than 1.0 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one conductive nanowire is situated on each of the teeth.