Neuromuscular stimulator electrode

• US 5,649,976 A
• Filed: 09/15/1995
• Issued: 07/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: EMPI Incorporated (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Malewicz, Andrzej
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/529,151
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 607/35-41, 607/138
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an electrode comprises molding a plurality of spaced conductive sections which include a pin receptacle for receiving a connector pin of a wire harness. A skeleton of conductive sections, connector pins and lead wires are placed in a mold which defines the electrode. A non-conductive polymer is molded to the skeleton to form an integral electrode having a elongated body of conductive sections separated by non-conductive sections. Multiple durometer polymers may be used to achieve desired levels of flexibility of the electrode.

Claims

1. A neuromuscular stimulator electrode comprising:

an elongated contoured solid body including a plurality of spaced conductive sections molded from a conductive polymer;

a plurality of spaced non-conductive sections molded from a non-conductive polymer, wherein the non-conductive sections are interposed between the conductive sections; and

a wire harness comprising a plurality of wire leads, wherein at least one of the plurality of wire leads is positioned within each of the conductive sections.

2. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 1 wherein the contoured body has an hour-glass shape.

3. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spaced conductive sections comprises three conductive sections.

4. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 1 wherein the conductive polymer has a volume resistivity in the range of 5-200 ohm-centimeters.

5. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 1 wherein each of the non-conductive sections is defined by a side wall and a passage for positioning at least one of the plurality of wire leads, and further wherein at least one of the non-conductive sections has a sidewall thickness which is greater than a diameter of the passage.

6. A neuromuscular stimulator electrode comprising:

an elongated solid body having a length in the range of 2.5 inches to 3 inches, and further having a contoured hour-glass shape, the elongated body including three injection molded spaced conductive polymer sections, the spaced conductive polymer sections separated by non-conductive polymer;

a wire harness comprising three wire leads, wherein each wire lead is positioned within a corresponding conductive polymer section, the wire leads extending from an end of the electrode for connection to a controller.

7. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 6, wherein the conductive polymer sections have a volume resistivity in the range of 5 ohm-centimeters to 200 ohm-centimeters.

8. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 6, wherein the hour-glass shaped body of the electrode includes a waist having a diameter of at least 0.265 inches.

9. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 6, wherein the conductive polymer sections have a diameter of at least 0.500 inches.

10. The neuromuscular stimulator electrode of claim 6 wherein the non-conductive polymer defines a side wall and a passage for positioning at least one of the three wire leads, and further wherein a thickness of the side wall is greater than a diameter of the passage.