Expandable electrode set

Abstract

An expandable electrode set, methods of using the expanding electrode set, electrode set systems, and methods of manufacturing an electrode set are described herein. Various examples of an electrode set include nodes that are physically connected to each other by connectors that have a shape that allows for the deformation of the electrode set. The shape and material of the connectors is designed to provide a consistent deformation so that, when placing alignment markers on a part of a body to be monitored, the nodes end up in correct locations on the part of the body for the measurement being performed. The electrode set can include sensors, emitters, or sensors and emitters in various configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrode set, the electrode set comprising:
 a first node and a second node, the first node comprising a first pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a first portion of a part being studied, the second node comprising a second pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a second portion of the part being studied;   a connector connecting the first node to the second node, the connector formed from a shape that provides for a consistent deformation from a first distance between the first node and the second node to one or more second distances between the first node and the second node as a pull force is applied to the first node or the second node, wherein in an undeformed state the first node and the second node are planar and in a deformed state the first node and the second node are non-planar, wherein a length of the connector remains constant from the undeformed state to the deformed state;   at least one alignment marker affixed to either the first node or the second node, the at least one alignment marker to be removably affixed to a landmark on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the at least one alignment marker is configured to transfer the pull force to either the first node or the second node as the alignment marker is being affixed to the landmark;   a first wire within the connector, the first wire in electrical communication with the first pad of the first node and extending to a measurement lead; and   a second wire within the connector, the second wire having in electrical communication with the second pad of the second node and extending to the measurement lead, wherein the measurement lead terminates at a measurement connector to be inserted into a monitoring/input device.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of third nodes, at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes comprising a pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a plurality of third portions of the part being studied; and   a plurality of second connectors connecting at least one of the plurality of third nodes to either the first node or the second node, the plurality of second connectors formed from the shape that provides for consistent deformation from a first distance between at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes to one or more second distances between at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes as a pull force is applied to the at least one alignment marker, wherein in an undeformed state the plurality of third nodes are planar and in a deformed state the plurality of third nodes are non-planar.   
     
     
         3 . The electrode set of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of second alignment markers affixed to one or more of the plurality of third nodes, the plurality of second alignment markers to be removably affixed to a plurality of second landmarks on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the plurality of second alignment markers are configured to transfer the pull force to at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes as the plurality of second alignment markers are being affixed to the landmark. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , further comprising a first pad stiffener affixed to the first node, wherein the first pad stiffener secures an electrical connection between the first pad and the first wire. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a plastic substrate, polyimide, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or a non-conductive polyester or polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the shape comprises a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the shape comprises a spiral, a double spiral, a horseshoe, or an angular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises conductive or semi-conductive materials. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the first wire or the second wire comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad comprises a first passing hole and the second pad comprises a second passing hole, the first passing hole and the second passing hole being openings that allow for an injection of an electroconductive material enhancing electrical contact with skin. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , further comprising a third node, wherein the third node comprises a third pad to transmit electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy is near infrared light, infrared light, or visible light. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode set of  claim 12 , further comprising a fourth node, wherein the fourth node comprises a fourth pad to receive electromagnetic energy resulting from the electromagnetic transmission from the third pad. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode set of  claim 1 , further comprising a third node for receiving a sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method of measuring signals of a part of a subject, the method comprising:
 placing an electrode set proximate to the part to be measured, the electrode set comprising:
 a first node and a second node, the first node comprising a first pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a first portion of a part being studied, the second node comprising a second pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a second portion of the part being studied; 
 a connector connecting the first node to the second node, the connector formed from a shape that provides for a consistent deformation from a first distance between the first node and the second node to one or more second distances between the first node and the second node as a pull force is applied to the first node or the second node, wherein in an undeformed state the first node and the second node are planar and in a deformed state the first node and the second node are non-planar, wherein a length of the connector remains constant from the undeformed state to the deformed state; 
 at least one alignment marker affixed to either the first node or the second node, the at least one alignment marker to be removably affixed to a landmark on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the at least one alignment marker is configured to transfer the pull force to either the first node or the second node as the alignment marker is being affixed to the landmark; 
 a first wire within the connector, the first wire in electrical communication with the first pad of the first node and extending to a measurement lead; and 
 a second wire within the connector, the second wire having in electrical communication with the second pad of the second node and extending to the measurement lead, wherein the measurement lead terminates at a measurement connector to be inserted into a monitoring/input device:
 affixing the at least one alignment marker to the landmark; 
 connecting measurement lead to a monitoring/input device; and 
 instantiating a monitoring application in the monitoring/input device to commence measuring the electrophysiological signals of the part of the subject. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising injecting an electroconductive, sonic, or light transmitting material through a first passing hole of the first pad and a second passing hold of the second pad. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the wherein the connector comprises a plastic substrate, polyimide, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or a non-conductive polyester or polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the shape comprises a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the shape comprises a spiral, a double spiral, a horseshoe, or an angular shape. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises conductive or semi-conductive materials. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first wire or the second wire comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A sensor set system, the sensor set system comprising:
 a sensor set comprising:
 a first node and a second node, the first node comprising a first pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a first portion of a part being studied, the second node comprising a second pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a first portion of a part being studied; 
 a connector connecting the first node to the second node, the connector formed from a shape that provides for a consistent deformation from a first distance between the first node and the second node to one or more second distances between the first node and the second node as a pull force is applied to the first node or the second node, wherein in an undeformed state the first node and the second node are planar and in a deformed state the first node and the second node are non-planar, wherein a length of the connector remains constant from the undeformed state to the deformed state; 
 at least one alignment marker affixed to either the first node or the second node, the at least one alignment marker to be removably affixed to a landmark on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the at least one alignment marker is configured to transfer the pull force to either the first node or the second node as the alignment marker is being affixed to the landmark; 
 a first wire within the connector, the first wire in electrical communication with the first pad of the first node and extending to a measurement lead; and 
 a second wire within the connector, the second wire having in electrical communication with the second pad of the second node and extending to the measurement lead, wherein the measurement lead terminates at a measurement connector to be inserted into a monitoring/input device:
 the monitoring/input device configured to receive data of electrophysiological signals received from the first pad or the second pad; and 
 a monitoring service in communication with the monitoring/input device for receiving the data of the electrophysiological signals or transmitting instructions to the monitoring/input device. 
 
   
     
     
         25 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , the sensor set further comprising:
 a plurality of third nodes, at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes comprising a pad for receiving electromagnetic energy from a plurality of third portions of the part being studied; and   a plurality of second connectors connecting at least one of the plurality of third nodes to either the first node or the second node, the plurality of second connectors formed from the shape that provides for consistent deformation from a first distance between at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes to one or more second distances between at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes as a pull force is applied to the at least one alignment marker, wherein in an undeformed state the plurality of third nodes are planar and in a deformed state the plurality of third nodes are non-planar.   
     
     
         26 . The sensor set system of  claim 25 , the sensor set further comprising a plurality of second alignment markers affixed to one or more of the plurality of third nodes, the plurality of second alignment markers to be removably affixed to a plurality of second landmarks on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the plurality of second alignment markers are configured to transfer the pull force to at least a portion of the plurality of third nodes as the plurality of second alignment markers are being affixed to the landmark. 
     
     
         27 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , the sensor set further comprising a first pad stiffener affixed to the first node, wherein the first pad stiffener secures an electrical connection between the first pad and the first wire. 
     
     
         28 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the connector comprises a plastic substrate, polyimide, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or a non-conductive polyester or polymer. 
     
     
         29 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the shape comprises a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         30 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the shape comprises a spiral, a double spiral, a horseshoe, or an angular shape. 
     
     
         31 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises conductive or semi-conductive materials. 
     
     
         32 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the first pad or the second pad comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the first wire or the second wire comprises copper, aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, or alloys thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the first pad comprises a first passing hole and the second pad comprises a second passing hole, the first passing hole and the second passing hole being openings that allow for an injection of a material. 
     
     
         35 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , the sensor set further comprising a third node, wherein the third node comprises a third pad to transmit electromagnetic energy. 
     
     
         36 . The sensor set system of  claim 24 , wherein the electromagnetic energy is near infrared light. 
     
     
         37 . The sensor set system of  claim 36 , the sensor set further comprising a fourth node, wherein the fourth node comprises a fourth pad to receive electromagnetic energy resulting from the electromagnetic transmission from the third pad. 
     
     
         38 . A sensor set system, the sensor set system comprising:
 a sensor set comprising:
 a first node and a second node, the first node comprising a first pad for receiving a signal from a first portion of a part being studied, the second node comprising a second pad for sending a signal into the first portion of a part being studied; 
 a connector connecting the first node to the second node, the connector formed from a shape that provides for a consistent deformation from a first distance between the first node and the second node to one or more second distances between the first node and the second node as a pull force is applied to the first node or the second node, 
 wherein in an undeformed state the first node and the second node are planar and in a deformed state the first node and the second node are non-planar, wherein a length of the connector remains constant from the undeformed state to the deformed state; 
   at least one alignment marker affixed to either the first node or the second node, the at least one alignment marker to be removably affixed to a landmark on the subject of the part being studied, wherein the at least one alignment marker is configured to transfer the pull force to either the first node or the second node as the alignment marker is being affixed to the landmark;   a first wire within the connector, the first wire in electrical communication with the first pad of the first node and extending to a measurement lead; and   a second wire within the connector, the second wire having in electrical communication with the second pad of the second node and extending to the measurement lead, wherein the measurement lead terminates at a measurement connector to be inserted into a monitoring/input device;   the monitoring/input device configured to receive data of electrophysiological signals received from the first pad or the second pad; and   a monitoring service in communication with the monitoring/input device for receiving the data of the electrophysiological signals or transmitting instructions to the monitoring/input device.