External defibrillator enclosure with accessory storage slot

• US 8,014,859 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Defibtech, LLC. (Nihon Kohden Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Defibtech, LLC. (Nihon Kohden Corporation)
• Inventors: Chi, Benny S., Laub, Glenn W., Sener, James, Vaisnys, Gintaras A., Meier, Giovanni C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Niketa I
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALTER, ALYSSA MARGO
• Application Number:
  US10/678,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,896 Days
• Field of Search: 607/142, 607/29, 607/5, 607/145, 607/148, 607/149, 601/41, 601/15
• US Class Current: 607/5
• 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 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence

Abstract

An external defibrillator enclosure for use in conjunction with a defibrillator accessory, such as an electrode pad assembly, includes a front panel and a rear panel which are mated together and secured by a coupling means. The enclosure also includes a plate secured by a coupling means to the second panel. The plate and second panel are positioned relative to each other to form a slot that is sized to receive a portion of the electrode assembly. The enclosure also includes a connector port that allows for the electrode pad assembly to be pre-connected to the electronics within the enclosure. The electrode pad assembly includes a cable and a connector at the end of the cable, and the exterior face of enclosure rear panel includes a groove that is sized to receive and retain the cable. The groove holds the cable in place against the surface of the enclosure while the cable is connected to the connector port.

Claims

1. An external defibrillator in combination with an electrode pad assembly, comprising:

a first panel and a second panel the first and second panels mated together and secured, the first and second panels containing defibrillator electronics therebetween;

a plate secured to the second panel, the plate and the second panel cooperating to define an enclosed volume accessed by a slot, the slot having a cross-section; and

an electrode pad assembly including an electrode pad portion containing electrode pads, the electrode pad portion having a cross-section that includes the electrode pads, the slot cross-section being greater than the electrode pad portion cross-section, at least a portion of the electrode pad positioned in the enclosed volume through the slot,

the electrode pad assembly further including an electrical cable with an electrical connector, the electrical cable extending from the electrode pads and out through the electrode pad portion to the electrical connector located outside the electrode pad portion, and

a connector port connected to the defibrillator electronics and located outside the enclosed volume, the connector port engageable with the electrical connector.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the slot is always present.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the electrical cable has a length sufficient to permit the electrical connector to engage the connector port.

4. The combination of claim 1 further including a connector port connected to the defibrillator electronics and located outside the enclosed volume, wherein the electrical cable has a length sufficient to permit the electrical connector to engage the connector port.

5. An external defibrillator in combination with an electrode pad assembly, comprising:

a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels mated together and secured, the first and second panels containing defibrillator electronics therebetween;

a plate secured to the second panel, the plate and the second panel cooperating to define an enclosed volume accessed by a slot; and

an electrode pad assembly including an electrode pad portion containing electrode pads, at least a portion of the electrode pads positioned in the enclosed volume through the slot and removable from the enclosed volume through the slot,

the electrode pad assembly further including an electrical cable with an electrical connector, the electrical cable extending from the electrode pads and out through the electrode pad portion to the electrical connector located outside the electrode pad portion,

wherein the first panel has an exterior surface and the second panel has an exterior surface and one of the exterior surfaces comprises a temporary holding device for releasably securing the electrical cable to that exterior surface, the holding device being outside of the enclosed volume, and the electrical cable positioned therein.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the holding device comprises a groove formed in the exterior surface, the groove sized to receive and retain the electrical cable.

7. In combination, an electrode pad assembly and an external defibrillator, comprising:

an enclosure confining defibrillator electronics and defining an enclosed volume accessed by a slot;

a connector port connected to the defibrillator electronics and located outside the enclosed volume; and

an electrode pad assembly including an electrode pad portion containing electrode pads, at least a portion of the electrode pads positioned in the enclosed volume through the slot and removable from the enclosed volume through the slot, the electrode pad assembly further having an electrical cable with an electrical connector, the electrical cable extending from the electrode pads and out through the electrode pad portion to the electrical connector, the electrical connector located outside the electrode pad portion and connected to the connector port.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the slot is always present.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the enclosure has an exterior surface and the exterior surface comprises a groove sized to receive and retain the electrical cable.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein the enclosure defines a handle and the connector port is adjacent the handle.

11. The combination of claim 7 further including a battery pack wherein the battery pack is positioned in the slot.

12. The combination of claim 7, wherein the electrode pad portion is removable from the volume through the slot in a direction of the connector port.

13. An external defibrillator in combination with an electrode pad assembly, comprising:

an enclosure confining defibrillator electronics and defining an enclosed volume accessed by a slot;

a connector port connected to the defibrillator electronics and located outside the enclosed volume; and

an electrode pad assembly including an electrode pad portion containing electrode pads, at least a portion of the electrode pads positioned in the enclosed volume through the slot and removable from the enclosed volume through the slot, the electrode pad assembly further having an electrical cable extending from the electrode pads and out through the electrode pad portion to an electrical connector,

wherein the enclosure has an exterior surface, a holding device for releasably securing the electrical cable being on the exterior surface and the electrical cable is positioned in the holding device.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the holding device comprises a groove sized to receive and retain the electrical cable.

15. An external defibrillator, comprising:

an enclosure confining defibrillator electronics and defining an enclosed volume accessed by a slot, the enclosed volume adapted to hold at least a portion of an electrode pad portion containing electrode pads, the electrode pad portion being part of an electrode pad assembly, at least a portion of the electrode pad being positionable in the enclosed volume through the slot and removable from the enclosed volume through the slot, the electrode pad assembly further including an electrical cable and an electrical connector, the electrical cable extending from the electrode pads and out through the electrode pad portion to the electrical connector, the electrical connector located outside the electrode pad portion and being connectable, while at least part of the electrode pad assembly is positioned in the enclosed volume, to a connector port located outside the enclosed volume and connected to the defibrillator electronics wherein the enclosed volume is oriented relative to the connector port such that when the electrode pad portion is removed from the enclosed volume through the slot, a direction of movement of the electrode pad is toward the connector port.

16. The external defibrillator of claim 15, wherein the enclosure has an exterior surface, a holding device for securing the electrical cable being on the exterior surface.