Biological electrode amplifier

Claim 2

Apparatus for detection and amplification of biopotential signals comprising: a. amplifier means having an input terminal and an output terminal, and having a plurality of stages, each stage containing an active device, said input terminal being the input terminal of the active device of the first stage thereof; b. case means, within which said amplifier means is encased; c. electrode means, said electrode means being a surface of said case means, the outward side of said surface adapted to be placed in contact with a subject; d. said amplifier means being attached to the inward side of said electrode means, and having said input terminal directly adjoining said electrode means; e. coupling means, whereby said input terminal is coupled directly to said electrode means; and f. said detected and amplified signals being developed at said output terminal.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises conductive epoxy.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said amplifier means contains resistive elements, each of which is a thick film element, contains no capacitors, and incorporates direct coupling between stages, thereby achieving high signal-to-noise performance.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrode means is a plate of gold coated conductive material.

Claim 6

Apparatus for monitoring and amplifying physiological electrical signals, comprising: a. amplifier means, comprising a first plurality of low-noise amplifiers, for amplifying a plurality of electrical signals; b. case means, comprising a second plurality of cases, each of said amplifiers being encased in a separate respective case; c. each of said cases having a surface comprising an electrode adapted for contact with human skin and detection of physiological electrical signals; d. each of said amplifiers having a plurality of stages, each stage having an active device, and each of said amplifiers having an input terminal which is the input terminal of the active device of the first of said stages and which is positioned directly adjoining its respective electrode; e. first coupling means, whereby said input terminal of each of said amplifiers is coupled to its respective directly adjoining electrode by conductive epoxy; f. differential amplifier means, having a plurality of input terminals and a ground terminal; g. second coupling means, whereby the output of each of said amplifiers is coupled to a respective one of said input terminals of said differential amplifier means; and h. one of said electrodes providing a reference potential, said reference electrode being coupled to said ground terminal of said differential amplifier means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for monitoring and amplifying physiological electrical signals, comprising: a. amplifier means, comprising a first plurality of low-noise amplifiers, for amplifying a plurality of electrical signals; b. case means, comprising a second plurality of cases, each of said amplifiers being encased in a separate respective case; c. each of said cases having a surface comprising an electrode adapted for contact with human skin and detection of physiological electrical signals; d. each of said amplifiers having a plurality of stages, each stage having an active device, and each of said amplifiers having an input terminal which is the input terminal of the active device of the first of said stages and which is positioned directly adjoining its respective electrode; e. first coupling means, whereby said input terminal of each of said amplifiers is coupled to its respective directly adjoining electrode by conductive epoxy; f. differential amplifier means, having a plurality of input terminals and a ground terminal; g. second coupling means, whereby the output of each of said amplifiers is coupled to a respective one of said input terminals of said differential amplifier means; and h. one of said electrodes providing a reference potential, said reference electrode being coupled to said ground terminal of said differential amplifier means.