Medical electrode for preventing the passage of harmful current to a patient

• US 6,892,086 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Russell
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Russell
• Inventors: Russell, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/982,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20030013948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 128/908, 606/32, 606/34, 606/41, 607/152, 600/372, 600/374, 600378-379, 600/382, 600/386
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/301 providing electrical separation, e.g. by using isolating transformers or optocouplers

Abstract

A medical electrode designed to prevent the passage of harmful electric current to a patient, thereby preventing tissue damage and electrocution. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive medical electrode is comprised of a proximal end, a distal end, a conductive lead connecting the proximal and distal ends, and a fuse located upon the medical electrode for preventing the passage of harmful electric current to a patient. For additional protection from induction current, the preferred location of the fuse is aft of the conductive lead element of the electrode. While a fuse is used in the preferred embodiment, the fuse could be replaced with a diode or a circuit breaker.

Claims

1. A medical electrode for preventing the passage of harmful current to a patient, the electrode comprising:

a distal end for connecting to a medical device;

a proximal end including a portion formed in the shaped shape of a contact lens for connecting to a patient;

a conductive lead connected between the distal and proximal ends; and

a current stoppage means connected to the electrode at a location for preventing the passage of harmful current to the proximal end coupled to the proximal end of the electrode aft of the conductive lead.

2. A medical electrode for preventing the passage of harmful current to a patient, the electrode comprising:

a distal end for connecting to a medical device;

a proximal end for connecting to a patient;

a conductive lead connected between the distal and proximal ends; and

a current stoppage means connected aft of the conductive lead and immediately adjacent to the proximal end of the electrode, wherein the current stoppage means is a circuit breaker.

3. A medical side-snap electrode for preventing the passage of harmful current to a patient, the electrode comprising:

a distal end for connecting to a medical device;

a proximal end for connecting to a patient;

a conductive lead connected between the distal and proximal ends; and

a current stoppage means selected from the group consisting of a fuse or a circuit breaker,

the current stoppage means coupled to the proximal end of the side-snap electrode aft of the conductive lead.

4. A medical electrode having separable members for preventing the passage of harmful current to a patient, the electrode comprising:

a distal end for connecting to a medical device;

a separable structure including top and bottom separable members, the separable structure being located at a proximal end of said electrode, the separable structure for connecting to a patient, the top member being positioned atop the bottom member, the bottom member comprising a pad for contacting a patient'"'"'s skin, the pad located adjacent a connector portion, and a current stoppage means located between the pad and the connector portion.

5. The bottom member as recited in claim 4, wherein the current stoppage means is selected from the group consisting of a fuse, a diode or a circuit breaker.

6. The bottom member as recited in claim 4, wherein the current stoppage means is an indicator fuse.

7. The bottom member as recited in claim 4, wherein the connector portion further comprises a male connector.