Universally functional biomedical electrode

This invention relates to a biomedical electrode that can function in each of the following principal uses of biomedical electrodes: electrosurgical, cardiac monitoring, pacing, and defibrillation, and various means of measuring mammalian tissue impedance. As such the biomedical electrode of the present invention is universally functional. A universally functional biomedical electrode is disclosed, where the electrode has a resistive element that reduces edge effect by a redistribution of current within the electrode and in mammalian tissue contacting the electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode has at its perimeter in one layer the resistive element that provides a cross-sectional area to reduce edge effect regardless of the type of biomedical instrumentation connected thereto. With the construction of other layers suitable for multifunctional electrode usage, this electrode can serve as a single item in inventory at health facilities.