Medical electrode apparatus and kit of components therefor
First Claim
1. A medical instrumentation electrode apparatus, comprising:
- a substantially rigid vacuum bell fabricated of a substantially rigid electrically-conductive material, said vacuum bell having a hollow inner chamber formed therein;
first means for creating a partial vacuum in said inner chamber of said vacuum bell;
second means for selectively electrically connecting said vacuum bell to an external medical instrument;
third means for operably connecting said first means with said vacuum bell such that said first means communicates with said inner chamber of said vacuum bell;
said inner chamber of said vacuum bell including a lower open end portion defined by a lower peripheral wall portion of said vacuum bell;
a substantially annular-shaped electrically-conductive member supported by said lower peripheral wall portion, said annular-shaped member providing a secure holding electrical contact with a patient'"'"'s skin upon evacuation of said vacuum bell by said first means; and
fourth means for securing said annular-shaped electrically-conductive member to said lower peripheral wall portion in downwardly-depending relation thereto.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical electrode apparatus and a kit of components therefor, for use on the skin of a patient in conjunction with an external medical instrument such as an EKG machine. The apparatus includes a resilient bulb member for creating a partial vacuum in a vacuum bell to which it is selectively connected. The vacuum bell is formed with a lower outer concavity surrounding an inner chamber thereof so as to receive therein an electrically-conductive gel material for contact with the patient'"'"'s skin. Alternatively, the bell may be formed with an annular rim member formed of a closed-cell electrically-conductive sponge material. The vacuum bell is also provided with a connector member for securing therein an electrode terminal of an external medical instrument.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A medical instrumentation electrode apparatus, comprising:
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a substantially rigid vacuum bell fabricated of a substantially rigid electrically-conductive material, said vacuum bell having a hollow inner chamber formed therein; first means for creating a partial vacuum in said inner chamber of said vacuum bell; second means for selectively electrically connecting said vacuum bell to an external medical instrument; third means for operably connecting said first means with said vacuum bell such that said first means communicates with said inner chamber of said vacuum bell; said inner chamber of said vacuum bell including a lower open end portion defined by a lower peripheral wall portion of said vacuum bell; a substantially annular-shaped electrically-conductive member supported by said lower peripheral wall portion, said annular-shaped member providing a secure holding electrical contact with a patient'"'"'s skin upon evacuation of said vacuum bell by said first means; and fourth means for securing said annular-shaped electrically-conductive member to said lower peripheral wall portion in downwardly-depending relation thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A medical instrumentation electrode kit, comprising:
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a plurality of substantially rigid vacuum bells fabricated of a substantially rigid electrically-conductive material, each said vacuum bell having an inner chamber formed therein; at least one first means for creating a partial vacuum in said inner chamber of each said vacuum bell; a plurality of second means for selectively electrically connecting each said vacuum bell to an external medical instrument; at least one third means for operably connecting said first means with one of said vacuum bells such that said first means communicates with said inner chamber of said vacuum bell; said inner chamber of each said vacuum bell including a lower open end portion defined by a lower peripheral wall portion of said vacuum bell, said lower peripheral wall portion having a substantially annular-shaped concavity formed therein so as to define an outer concavity, surrounding said inner chamber; and a plurality of substantially toroidal-shaped electrically-conductive members, each said toroidal-shaped member being receivable in each said outer concavity so as to be supported thereby in downwardly-depending relation to said lower peripheral wall portion of each said vacuum bell. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification