Electrical connector
First Claim
1. A connector for establishing electrical connection between a conductor and a patient engaging electrode that includes a conductive post extending outward from the electrode, the post having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, the intermediate portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the distal portion, the connector comprising:
- insulation means shaped to form a socket having one end through which the post can be inserted into the socket;
a first spring positioned in the socket;
an electrically conductive second spring positioned in the socket closer to said one end than the first spring;
the first and second springs not being unitary with each other being positioned and constructed such that when the post is inserted through said one end into the socket, the second spring operates independently of the first spring to engage the proximal portion of the post and establish electrical contact between the second spring and the post, and the first spring and the intermediate and distal portions of the post comprise a detent mechanism that operates independently of the second spring to resist removal of the post from the socket; and
means for electrically connecting the conductor to the second spring.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector for establishing electrical connection between a conductor and a patient engaging electrode that includes a conductive post extending from the electrode. The post has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the distal portion. The connector comprises insulation means shaped to form a socket open at one end, a pair of first spring members, a pair of second spring members, and means for electrically connecting the conductor to the second spring members. The first spring members are laterally positioned with respect to one another in the socket, and the second spring members are laterally positioned with respect to one another in the socket closer to said one end than the first spring members. The first and second spring members are positioned and constructed such that when the post is inserted in the socket, the second spring members grip the proximal portion of the post, and the first spring members and the intermediate and distal portions of the post comprise a detent mechanism that resists removal of the post from the socket.
81 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A connector for establishing electrical connection between a conductor and a patient engaging electrode that includes a conductive post extending outward from the electrode, the post having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, the intermediate portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the distal portion, the connector comprising:
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insulation means shaped to form a socket having one end through which the post can be inserted into the socket; a first spring positioned in the socket; an electrically conductive second spring positioned in the socket closer to said one end than the first spring; the first and second springs not being unitary with each other being positioned and constructed such that when the post is inserted through said one end into the socket, the second spring operates independently of the first spring to engage the proximal portion of the post and establish electrical contact between the second spring and the post, and the first spring and the intermediate and distal portions of the post comprise a detent mechanism that operates independently of the second spring to resist removal of the post from the socket; and means for electrically connecting the conductor to the second spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for delivering electrical energy from a conductor to a patient, comprising:
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a patient-engaging electrode that includes a conductive post extending outward from the electrode, the post having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, the intermediate portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the distal portion; insulation means shaped to form a socket having one end through which the post can be inserted into the socket; a first spring positioned in the socket; an electrically conductive second spring positioned in the socket closer to said one end than the first spring; the first and second springs not being unitary with each other being positioned and constructed such that when the post is inserted through said one end into the socket, the second spring operates independently of the first spring to engage the proximal portion of the post and establish electrical contact between the second spring and the post, and the first spring and the intermediate and distal portions of the post comprise a detent mechanism that operates independently of the second spring to resist removal of the post from the socket; and means for electrically connecting the conductor to the second spring. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification