Low profile electrode connector

• US 5,326,272 A
• Filed: 01/02/1991
• Issued: 07/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marlow, William J., Sissom, Dawn E., Harhen, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/636,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 439/37, 439/86, 439/374, 439/592, 439/593, 439/859, 439/909, 128/639, 128/640, 128/641, 128/642, 128/643, 128/802, 24/669, 24/702
• US Class Current: 439/86
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/11 End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member H01R11/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A low profile connector, as for an electrode, is disclosed. The connector of the invention includes an electrically conductive connector body and electrical connector means to separate electronics. The connector body has a channel or groove which communicates with one side of the connector body and its bottom. The channel leads to a "stop" position located substantially the central portion of said body. Viewed from the bottom of the connector body, the channel is interiorly concave so as to cooperatively, preferably rotatively and restrictively receive and hold an upstanding portion of an electrode, such as an electrode eyelet. In a preferred aspect, the present invention is an electrical assembly which includes the connector body and a biomedical electrode, such as a TENS electrode.

Claims

1. A connector for slidable and electrically conductive engagement with an upstanding connecting member of an electrode, the connector comprising:

a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, and being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member;

electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to separate electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening; and

means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an elcetrically conductive polymeric material.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the polymeric material is carbon loaded polypropylene.

4. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive metal.

5. A connector according to claim 4 wherein the metal comprises a wire extending around a substantially circular terminus of the channel such that the upstanding connector member contacts the wire.

6. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the connector body has grip means on the top thereof.

7. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the connector body is substantially square, having four sides.

8. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the narrow portion of said channel in said connector body is, in cross section, a truncated triangle with the longer edge thereof being interior said connector body.

9. A connector assembly for a biomedical electrode comprising a connector body and a biomedical electrode, the connector comprising:

a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and a bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation between said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a substantially circular terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, said channel being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member;

electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to external electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening and means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel; and

the biomedical electrode comprising;

a backing member, the backing member having on one side thereof;

conductive material to make electrical contact with skin; and

adhesive material for adhering said backing member to skin;

the electrode further comprising;

an upstanding connecting member extending through said banking member which is electrically coupled to said conductive material.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive polymeric material.

11. A connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the polymeric material is carbon loaded polypropylene.

12. A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive metal.

13. A connector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the metal comprises a wire extending around the substantially circular terminus of the channel such that the upstanding connector member contacts the wire.

14. A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the biomedical electrode is a TENS electrode.

15. A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upstanding connecting member is a post.

16. A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upstanding connecting member is a bulbous post.