Medical connector apparatus

• US 6,234,816 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2000
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenstein, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US09/487,734
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 439/680, 439/488, 439/490, 439/387, 439/732, 439/205, 439/909, 609/149-153
• US Class Current: 439/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5227 with evacuation of penetrating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• 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 medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) a first mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with an interior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber and the housing unit'"'"'s exterior. In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductive portion.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the aperture through which the first mating member enters to electrically couple the first and second conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first mating connector has a light covering portion for covering the light source when the first and second conductive portions couple. The embodiments of the medical connector apparatus described above can serve as electrode connectors for all types of defibrillators.

Claims

1. An electrical medical connector apparatus comprising:

a housing unit and an electrical medical cable connector, the housing unit having an interior chamber, the housing unit forming a semi-cylindrical surface extending into the interior chamber, the housing unit further comprising two housed electrical connectors therein, and a front end having an aperture for receiving an electrical medical cable connector and a bottom wall, the housing unit further having a second aperture which provides an outlet for environmental residue, wherein the electrical medical cable connector comprises, two electrical conductors electrically connected to two conductive sockets within a shell of the electrical medical cable connector, wherein each of the conductive electrical sockets of the cable connector are connected to each of the electrical conductors; and

a semi-cylindrical channel formed in the shell adapted to slide over and surround the semi-cylindrical surface of the housing unit when the cable connector is inserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector and the housing unit.

2. The electrical medical connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cable connector further comprises a wiping portion adapted to providing a wiping action to the housed electrical connectors.

3. An electrical medical connector apparatus comprising:

a housing unit and an electrical medical cable connector, the housing unit having,

an interior chamber,

the housing unit forming a semi-cylindrical surface extending into the interior chamber,

two housed electrical connectors therein,

a front end having an aperture for receiving an electrical medical cable connector, and

a bottom wall, and

a second aperture which provides an outlet for environmental residue;

wherein the electrical medical cable connector comprises,

two electrical conductors electrically connected to two conductive sockets within a shell of the electrical medical cable connector, wherein each of the conductive electrical sockets of the cable connector are connected to each of the electrical conductors, and

a semi-cylindrical channel formed in the shell adapted to slide over and surround the semi-cylindrical surface of the housing unit when the cable connector is inserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector and the housing unit; and

wherein the housing unit is formed from a rigid material and the cable connector is formed from a pliable material.

4. An electrical medical connector apparatus comprising:

a housing unit and an electrical medical cable connector, the housing unit having an interior chamber, the housing unit forming a semi-cylindrical surface extending into the interior chamber, the housing unit further comprising two housed electrical connectors therein, and a front end having an aperture for receiving an electrical medical cable connector and a bottom wall, the housing unit further having a second aperture which provides an outlet for environmental residue, wherein the electrical medical cable connector comprises, two electrical conductors electrically connected to two conductive sockets within a shell of the electrical medical cable connector, wherein each of the conductive electrical sockets of the cable connector are connected to each of the electrical conductors; and

a semi-cylindrical channel formed in the shell adapted to slide over and surround the semi-cylindrical surface of the housing unit when the cable connector is inserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector and the housing unit and further wherein expandable tubes in the shell surround each conductive socket.

5. The electrical medical connector apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cable connector further comprises a wiping portion adapted to providing a wiping action to the housed electrical connectors.

6. The electrical medical connector apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing unit is formed from a rigid material and the cable connector is formed from a pliable material.