Medical electrode packaging technology

• US 5,984,102 A
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Science Operating Company (Cardica Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SurVivaLink Corporation (Cardica Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tay, Sew-Wah
• Primary Examiner(s): STASHICK, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US09/033,294
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 206/207, 206/210, 206/438, 206/701, 206/727, 206/728, 206/439, 607/4, 607/5, 600/372, 600/393, 600/395, 600/391, 600/397, 600/394
• US Class Current: 206/701
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/18 Applying electric currents by contact electrodes

Abstract

The invention provides a sealed package system for housing at least two medical electrode devices and for enabling the periodic testing thereof, comprising a thin, generally flat flexible envelope constructed and arranged to form an interior cavity for enclosing a conductive gel contact surface of each of the electrode devices. A conductive liner is disposed between conductive gel contact surface of each of the electrode devices.

Claims

1. Packaged medical electrodes for use with an electromedical device comprising:

a first electrode having;

a base layer;

a gel layer disposed on the base layer;

a conductive connector communicatively coupled to the gel layer;

a second electrode having;

a base layer;

a gel layer disposed on the base layer;

at least one conductive connector communicatively coupled to the gel layer;

the gel layers of the first and second electrodes being disposed in a facing relationship and having a liner interposed therebetween, the liner physically separating the gel layers of the first and second electrodes and conductively coupling the gel layers of the first and second electrodes; and

a package enclosing the first and second electrodes.

2. The packaged electrodes of claim 1 further including at least two conductive devices, a first conductive device being communicatively coupled to the gel layer of the first electrode and a second conductive device being communicatively coupled to being communicatively coupled to the gel layer of the second electrode, the conductive devices being selected from a group consisting of:

wire leads; and

snap connectors.

3. The packaged electrodes of claim 2 wherein the liner is a conductive polymer.

4. The packaged electrodes of claim 3 wherein the liner is selected from a group consisting of:

an inherently conductive polymer; and

a doped polymer.

5. The packaged electrodes of claim 4 wherein the liner is an inherently conductive polymer having a structure comprised of alternating double bonds.

6. The packaged electrodes of claim 4 wherein the liner is an inherently conductive polymer having a structure comprised of alternating triple bonds.

7. The packaged electrodes of claim 4 wherein the liner is a doped polymer having a dopant being selected from a group consisting of:

graphite;

carbon black; and

metal powder.

8. The packaged electrodes of claim 4 wherein the liner is a doped polymer selected from a group consisting of:

doped polyethylene;

doped polyethylene terephthalate;

doped polytetrafluoroethylene; and

doped polyfluorinated ethylene propylene.

9. The packaged electrodes of claim 4 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that exhibits low adhesion properties.

10. The packaged electrodes of claim 9 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is a polyfluorinated hydrocarbon.

11. The packaged electrodes of claim 10 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is extrudable.

12. The packaged electrodes of claim 11 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is formed of polyfluorinated ethylene propylene.

13. The packaged electrodes of claim 2 wherein the gel layer is a conductive, semi-liquid gel layer disposed on a first side of a base layer.

14. The packaged electrode as in claim 2 further including:

first and second conductive connectors disposed at predetermined locations with respect to the first electrode wherein the first conductive connectors is electrically connected to the gel layer thereof and the second conductive connectors is electrically connected to a snap type connector; and

first and second conductive connectors disposed at predetermined locations with respect to the second electrode wherein the first conductive connectors is electrically connected to the gel layer thereof and the second conductive connectors is electrically connected to a snap type connector.

15. The packaged electrodes as in claim 14 wherein each of the two the snap type connectors has a connection member adapted for connection to an electrical lead and a current dispersion member in contact with the gel layer.

16. The packaged electrodes as in claim 2 wherein the package encompasses the base layer, the gel layer and a snap type connector of each of the first and second electrodes.

17. The packaged electrodes as in claim 14 wherein a portion of each of the snap type connectors protrudes through an aperture defined in the package.

18. Sealed package medical electrodes for use with an electromedical device comprising:

a first electrode, having;

a nonconductive base layer having a first and second side;

a conductive gel layer disposed on the first side of the base layer;

a snap type connector mounted to the base layer wherein the snap type connector has a connection member projecting through the base layer and a current dispersion layer in contact with the gel layer;

a second electrode, having;

a nonconductive base layer having a first and second side;

a conductive gel layer disposed on the first side of the base layer;

a snap type connector mounted to the base layer wherein the snap type connector has a connection member projecting through the base layer and a current dispersion layer in contact with the gel layer; and

an envelope arranged to form an interior cavity wherein the current dispersion member of the first and second electrodes lies in the interior cavity and the connection member of the first and second electrodes projects from the interior to a point exterior the envelope.

19. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 18 wherein the gel layers of the first and second electrodes are disposed in a facing relationship and further including a liner interposed between the gel layers of the first and second electrodes, the liner physically separating the gel layers of the first and second electrodes and conductively coupling the gel layers of the first and second electrodes.

20. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 18 further including a lead electrically connected to the snap type connectors of the first and second electrodes.

21. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 20 further comprising a test lead electrically connected to the liner and extending outside of the interior cavity.

22. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 21 wherein the lead is configured to receive the connection member of the snap type connector of the first and second electrodes.

23. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 19 wherein the liner is a conductive polymer.

24. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 23 wherein the liner is selected from a group consisting of:

an inherently conductive polymer; and

a doped polymer.

25. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 24 wherein the liner is an inherently conductive polymer having a structure comprised of alternating double bonds.

26. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 24 wherein the liner is an inherently conductive polymer having a structure comprised of alternating triple bonds.

27. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 24 wherein the liner is a doped polymer having a dopant being selected from a group consisting of:

graphite;

carbon black; and

metal powder.

28. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 24 wherein the liner is a doped polymer selected from a group consisting of:

doped polyethylene;

doped polyethylene terephthalate;

doped polytetrafluoroethylene; and

doped polyfluorinated ethylene propylene.

29. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 24 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that exhibits low adhesion properties.

30. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 29 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is a polyfluorinated hydrocarbon.

31. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 30 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is extrudable.

32. The sealed package medical electrodes of claim 31 wherein the liner is a doped polymer that is formed of polyfluorinated ethylene propylene.