Electrode connector for substrate electrodes

• US 4,797,125 A
• Filed: 05/27/1987
• Issued: 01/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tronomed, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tronomed, Inc.
• Inventors: Malana, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRADLEY, PAULA A
• Application Number:
  US07/055,163
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 439/506, 439/729, 439/731, 439/835-838, 128/639, 128/640, 128/798, 128/802
• US Class Current: 439/729
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/273 Connection of cords, cables or leads to electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A medical electrode connector for a flexible resting electrode is provided. A first base member has a receptacle while a second movable member has a plastic prong of a configuration compatible with movement into the receptacle. A flexible electrode can be positioned between the receptacle and the prong and a spring can force the prong member to deform and cause an electrical connection with the flexible electrode.

Claims

1. A medical electrical connector for flexible resting electrodes applied to a patient, comprising:

a first base member having a flat support surface with a receptacle extending into the flat support surface;

a second member attached to the first member and relatively movable with the first member, the second member having a prong member of a configuration compatible with movement into the receptacle; and

means, on one of the receptacle and prong member, for providing electrical contact with the electrode when the prong member is positioned on one side of the electrode and the receptacle is positioned on the other side, the prong member forcing the electrode to be deformed and to be positioned within the receptacle for providing a positive locking contact.

2. The medical electrical connector of claim 1 wherein an electrical contact plate is positioned about the receptacle.

3. The medical electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the prong member has four triangular facets that extend to a point.

4. The medical electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the first base member and the second member are made of electrically insulated material, thereby insulating the electrical contact from outside influences.

5. The medical electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the first base member has a mounting post with a bore and the second member has a pivoting shaft that extends into the mounting post bore.

6. The medical electrical connector of claim 5 further including a spring member wherein the first base member has, adjacent one end, a supporting post and the second member has a complimentarily supporting recession for retaining the spring member.

7. A medical electrode connector for flexible resting electrodes applied to a patient, comprising:

a first base member having a flat support surface with a receptacle apertured;

a second plastic member attached to the first member and relatively movable with the first member, the second member having a plastic prong member of a configuration and a position compatible with movement into the receptacle; and

means, on the flat surface of the receptacle, for providing electrical contact with the electrode when the plastic prong member is positioned on one side of the electrode and the receptacle is positioned on the other side and the prong member forces the electrode to be deformed and to be positioned within the receptacle for providing a positive locking contact and an electrical contact.

8. The medical electrical connector of claim 7 wherein the first base member and the second member are made of electrically insulated material, thereby insulating the electrical contact from outside influences.

9. The medical electrode connector of claim 7 wherein the plastic prong member has a configuration which extends away from the remainder of the second member to terminate as a reduced dimensional point.

10. The medical electrical connector of claim 7 wherein an electrical contact plate is positioned about the receptacle.

11. The medical electrical connector of claim 10 wherein the plastic prong member has four triangular side facets that extend to a point.

12. The medical electrical connector of claim 7 wherein an electrical contact plate is positioned about the receptacle.

13. The medical electrical connector of claim 12 further including a helical spring member wherein the first base member has, adjacent one end, a supporting post and the second member has a complimentarily supporting recession for retaining the helical spring member.

14. A medical electrode connector for flexible resting electrodes applied to a patient, comprising:

a first base member having a supporting surface with a receptacle extending into the supporting surface and spaced inward from an end of the base member;

a second member attached to the first member and relatively movable with the first member, the second member having a prong member of a configuration and a position compatible with movement into the receptacle, and

means, on the supporting surface of the first base member, for providing electrical contact with the electrode when the prong member is positioned on one side of the electrode and the receptacle is positioned on the other side and the prong member creates an indentation in the electrode, forcing the electrode to be positioned within the receptacle for providing a positive locking contact and an electrical contact.

15. The medical electrode connector of claim 14 wherein an electrical contact plate is positioned about the receptacle.

16. A two-piece plastic medical electrode connector for attachment to a flexible resting electrode applied to a patient, comprising:

a first base member having adjacent one end an apertured receptacle spaced inward from the end of the base member;

a second member attached to the first member and relatively movable with the first member, the second member having adjacent one end an integrally molded plastic prong member of a configuration and positioned compatible with movement into the apertured receptacle;

means for biasing the prong member into the aperture receptacle, and

means for providing electrical contact with the electrode when the prong member is positioned on one side of the electrode and the receptacle is positioned on the other side with the prong member forcing the electrode to be deformed and to be positioned within the receptacle for providing a positive locking contact.

17. The medical electrode connector of claim 16 wherein the means for providing electrical contact includes an annular electrode plate extending around the apertured receptacle when the prong member is biased into the apertured receptacle.

18. The medical electrical connector of claim 16 wherein the first base member has a mounting post with a bore and the second member has a pivoting shaft that extends into the mounting post bore.

19. The medical electrical connector of claim 16 wherein the means for biasing further includes a helical spring member wherein the first base member has, adjacent one end, a supporting post and the second member has a complimentarily supporting recession for retaining the helical spring member.