Skin preparation device for the application of medical electrodes.

摘要

A method and device (12) are disclosed for preparing the skin of a patient (P) to ensure good electrical contact between a medical monitoring electrode (10) and the patient's skin relative to a reference electrode (16) secured to an already prepared site on the skin of the patient (P). The electrode (10) or the tips of the preparation device (12) includes an abrasive pad impregnated with an electrolyte for providing good electrical contact with the patient's skin. When a monitoring electrode (10) is used, the abrasive pad is secured to the skin and is rotated in a housing having an adhesive annular rim which is secured to the skin. The abrasive pad is rotatably driven by the preparation device (12) which continously measures the impedance between the pad of the electrode and a reference electrode (16) secured to a prepared site on the skin. Rotation of the pad terminates within a predetermined period or when the impedance between the pad (10) and reference electrode (16) falls to a predetermined value, whichever occurs first.