Adaptive medical electrode connector with male stud

• US 5,209,679 A
• Filed: 05/15/1992
• Issued: 05/11/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation (Nissha Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation (Nissha Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Quinlan, Donald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/884,613
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 128/639-641, 128/798, 128/802, 439/217, 439/218, 439/224, 439/504, 439/506, 439/822, 439/829, 439/907, 439/909, 439/912
• US Class Current: 439/822
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/14 seismic connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

An electrical conducting connector used to interconnect medical electrodes and monitoring devices. The male stud, commonly manufactured on the electrode, is relocated to a new position as an integral part of the connector. Consequently, the connector can act as an adapter for electrically interconnecting a relatively inexpensive, flexible, studless electrode secured on the skin of a patient to a monitor having a conventional lead wire plus female couple assembly. Such interconnection allows rotation between the connector and electrode, thereby assuring patient comfort and continued electrical contact even when the electrode is adhered to the patient for long periods of monitoring.

Claims

1. A disposable medical electrode connector for releasably and electrically connecting either (a) a thin, flexible, disposable, studless, tab-type medical electrode or (b) a medical electrode having a male stud, the electrode secured on the skin of a patient, to a monitor either through a lead cable or through a conventional female couple and lead wire assembly, said disposable medical electrode connector being entirely separate from the electrode, connected to the electrode and not the patient, and comprising:

a base having an electrically conducting portion;

a top having a top surface and an electrically conducting portion facing said electrically conducting portion of said base;

means disposed between said base and said top for mechanically forcing said electrically conducting portion of said base toward said electrically conducting portion of said top to mechanically and electrically engage, between said electrically conducting portion of said base and said electrically conducting portion of said top, either the tab of a tab-type medical electrode or the male stud of a medical electrode having a male stud;

means for electrically connecting a lead cable to said electrically conducting portion of said base, the lead cable being attached to a monitor; and

a male stud electrically connected to said electrically conducting portion of said top and integrally formed with and projecting from said top surface of said top for mechanically and electrically engaging a conventional female couple and lead wire assembly, said assembly being attached to said monitor.

2. An electrode connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base, said top, and said forcing means from an alligator clip.

3. An electrode connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said male stud is molded to said securing means.

4. An electrode connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said male stud is welded to said securing means.

5. An electrode connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said male stud is soldered to said securing means.

6. An electrode connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said male stud is formed on said top surface of said top in the approximate center of said top surface.