PCB blade connector system and method

• US 20060259081A1
• Filed: 03/21/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Defibtech, LLC. (Nihon Kohden Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Defibtech, LLC. (Nihon Kohden Corporation)
• Inventors: Laub, Glenn W., Chi, Benny, Vaisnys, Gintaras A., Meier, Giovanni C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising:

a defibrillator;

an electrode for administering shock energy and for monitoring a heart of a patient;

a housing;

a printed circuit board partially enclosed by the housing; and

two or more contacts, each contact comprising a planar conductive trace positioned on the printed circuit board for removably coupling to the defibrillator and for coupling the electrode to the defibrillator.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the contacts are positioned on a same planar face of the printed circuit board.

3. The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a notch disposed within the printed circuit board and positioned between the pairs of contacts.

4. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a configuration circuit positioned on the printed circuit board and coupled to two or more contacts, the configuration circuit storing information about the defibrillator patient electrodes and being at least readable by the defibrillator.

5. The connector system of claim 4, wherein the information stored in the configuration circuit relates to one of age, origin of manufacture, purpose, and physical characteristics of the electrode.

6. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a U-shape.

7. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board extends beyond the housing.

8. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector housing is U-shaped.

9. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a textured gripping surface.

10. The connector system of claim 4, wherein the configuration circuit comprises one or more memory devices.

11. The connector system of claim 4, wherein the configuration circuit is re-writeable.

12. A method for tracking and monitoring information about an electrode coupled to a defibrillator comprising:

coupling the electrode to the defibrillator with a connector system, the connector system comprising a housing;

two or more contacts, each contact comprising a conductive planar trace positioned on the printed circuit board for removably coupling to the defibrillator and for coupling the electrode to the defibrillator;

reading information about the electrode with the defibrillator from a configuration circuit; and

sending shock energy to the electrode if it is determined that one or more predetermined conditions are met.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending information from the defibrillator to the configuration circuit.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing the information received from the defibrillator in the configuration circuit.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein reading information about the electrode with the defibrillator from the configuration circuit comprises reading an expiration date.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining if the electrode has expired.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising reading a usage history of the electrode.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining if the electrode has not been used.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein reading information with the defibrillator from a configuration circuit comprises the step of reading a defibrillator pad type.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a level of defibrillation shock energy based on information read from the configuration circuit.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining if a self test is being executed and if information read from the configuration circuit indicates the electrode is one of expired and used.

22. The method of claim 12, storing information received from the defibrillator in memory of the configuration circuit comprises storing a record of usage history for the electrode.

23. A connector system comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board partially enclosed by the housing;

a first contact comprising a conductive planar trace positioned on a first planar side of the printed circuit board; and

a second contact comprising a conductive planar trace positioned on a second planar side of the printed circuit board.

24. The connector system of claim 23, wherein the first contact is a first contact of a pair of contacts, the connector system further comprising a second contact of the pair of contacts.

25. The connector system of claim 23, wherein the second contact is a second contact of a pair of contacts, the connector system further comprising a second contact of the pair of contacts.

26. The connector system of claim 23, further comprising a notch disposed within the printed circuit board and positioned between the first and second pairs of contacts.

27. The connector system of claim 23, further comprising a defibrillator coupled to the first and second pairs of contacts.

28. The connector system of claim 23, further comprising an electrode for administering shock energy and for monitoring a heart of a patient.

29. The connector system of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a configuration circuit positioned on the printed circuit board and coupled to the second pair of contacts, the configuration circuit storing information about the connector system.

30. The connector system of claim 29, wherein the information stored in the configuration circuit relates to one of age, origin of manufacture, purpose, and physical characteristics of an electrode.

31. The connector system of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a U-shape.

32. The connector system of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a two-prong blade connector shape.