Disposable internal electrode with sterilization shield and method of using the same
First Claim
1. An electrode for use with a handle to couple a patient to a medical instrument, said electrode comprising:
- electrode means, attachable to the handle, for contacting the patient, andbarrier means, coupled to said electrode means, being deployed over the handle to provide a barrier between the handle and the patient when the electrode means is attached to the handle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An internal defibrillation electrode (10) is disclosed including a disposable electrode (12) and a reusable handle (14). The electrode includes an electrode spoon (16), a shaft (18), and a barrier sleeve (20). The handle includes a handle body (58), electrical cable (60), sleeve connector (62), and electrical connector (64). The handle has a dagger-style configuration that makes the electrode assembly easy to use and is further constructed to allow the electrode to be quickly and reliably attached. In that regard, during assembly, a bayonet (32) on the shaft of the electrode is engaged in a bayonet receptacle (68) of the handle. The sleeve is then pulled over the handle to form a barrier between the handle and the environment. After the electrode assembly is used, the sleeve is removed from the handle, the electrode disengaged from the handle, and the electrode disposed of. After attaching a new electrode, the handle is then ready for immediate service. The handle can also be used with a reusable electrode that does not include a barrier sleeve. To that end, the handle is constructed to exhibit a relatively long life when subjected to repeated steam sterilization.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An electrode for use with a handle to couple a patient to a medical instrument, said electrode comprising:
-
electrode means, attachable to the handle, for contacting the patient, and barrier means, coupled to said electrode means, being deployed over the handle to provide a barrier between the handle and the patient when the electrode means is attached to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A defibrillation electrode system for use in applying energy from a defibrillator to a patient, said defibrillation electrode system comprising:
-
a handle that is coupleable to the defibrillator; and an electrode that is coupleable to said handle, said electrode including an electrode element and a sleeve, said electrode element being for contacting the patient, said sleeve being deployable to substantially cover said handle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An electrode assembly for use with a pair of defibrillator handles, said electrode assembly comprising:
-
first and second electrode elements; and a tubular barrier sleeve having first, second and third ends, said first and second ends being coupled to said first and second electrode elements.
-
-
16. A method of effectively sterilizing a handle for use with a defibrillator, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) attaching an electrode to said handle, said electrode including a sterile tubular sleeve; and (b) extending said sleeve over said handle to provide a sterile barrier between the handle and its environment.
-
-
17. An electrode system for use by an operator between a patient and a medical instrument, said electrode system comprising:
-
handle means, coupleable to said medical instrument, for being grasped by the operator; and electrode means, attachable to said handle means, for contacting the patient and including deployable barrier means for providing a barrier to the transfer of the contaminants between said handle means and the patient.
-
Specification