ECG Electrode Connector
First Claim
1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad;
an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the second opening is less than the perimeter of the first opening;
a resilient member having a movable leg and a fixed leg, wherein the movable leg has at least a relaxed position and a compressed position, the movable leg being configured in its compressed position to operably engage the press stud and the electrical contact member; and
a lever pivotably coupled to the housing and having at least an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever includes a cam configured to cause the resilient member to move to its compressed position when the lever is in the closed position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the disclosed connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The disclosed connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.
44 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the second opening is less than the perimeter of the first opening; a resilient member having a movable leg and a fixed leg, wherein the movable leg has at least a relaxed position and a compressed position, the movable leg being configured in its compressed position to operably engage the press stud and the electrical contact member; and a lever pivotably coupled to the housing and having at least an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever includes a cam configured to cause the resilient member to move to its compressed position when the lever is in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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3. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the second opening is less than the perimeter of the first opening; and a pushbutton slidably disposed within the housing and having at least a released position and a depressed position, wherein the pushbutton further includes a central opening defined therein, the opening configured to operably engage the press stud and the electrical contact member when the pushbutton is in the released position.
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4. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the second opening is less than the perimeter of the first opening; and a lever disposed within the housing and having at least an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the lever further includes an actuating end, an engaging region, and a pivot, the engaging region configured to operably engage the press stud and the electrical contact member when the lever is in the engaged position.
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5. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
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a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, wherein the perimeter of the second opening is less than the perimeter of the first opening; and a lever pivotably coupled to the housing and having at least an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever includes a cam configured to operably engage the press stud and the electrical contact member when the lever is in the closed position.
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Specification