Connector assembly for connecting an electrical lead to an electrode

• US 8,251,736 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creganna Unlimited Company (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: McIntire, James F., Haug, Brian Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne, Jean F
• Application Number:
  US12/236,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20100075527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 439/357, 439/345, 439/496, 439/411, 439/77, 439/495, 439/353, 439/859, 439/592, 439/17, 439/20
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/28 for electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided for connecting an electrical lead to the electrical contact of an electrode. The connector assembly includes a retention plate having an opening configured to receive the electrical contact of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on the electrode, and a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body. The receptacle includes a size and shape that is complimentarily to the electrical contact of the electrode such that the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein. The receptacle is configured such that when the electrical contact is received within the receptacle, the receptacle is configured to hold a portion of the electrical lead within the receptacle between the electrical contact and the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact. A connection member is configured to hold the housing on the retention plate.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for connecting an electrical lead to an electrical contact of an electrode, said connector assembly comprising:

a retention plate having an opening configured to receive the electrical contact of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on the electrode;

a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body, the receptacle being defined by a wall of the body and comprising a size and shape that is complimentarily to the electrical contact of the electrode such that the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein, wherein the receptacle is configured such that when the electrical contact is received within the receptacle, the receptacle is configured to hold a portion of the electrical lead within the receptacle between the electrical contact and the wall of the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact; and

a connection member configured to hold the housing on the retention plate.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection member comprises an adhesive layer configured to be positioned between and in engagement with the housing and the retention plate.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing and the retention plate comprises the connection member.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the retention plate is sized smaller than a portion of the electrical contact.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retention plate is configured to connect to the electrical contact using a snap-fit connection.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the housing.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the housing, wherein the adhesive layer comprises indicia.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retention plate is configured to be positioned between the housing and a body of the electrode when the connector assembly connects the electrical lead to the electrical contact of the electrode.

9. An electrical lead assembly for connection to an electrical contact of an electrode, said electrical lead assembly comprising:

a retention plate having an opening configured to receive the electrical contact of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on the electrode;

a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body, the receptacle being defined by a wall of the body and being configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein;

an electrical lead having an end portion; and

a connection member holding the housing on the retention plate, wherein the receptacle is configured such that when the electrical contact is received within the opening of the retention plate and within the receptacle, at least a portion of the end portion of the electrical lead is held within the receptacle between the electrical contact of the electrode and the wall of the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact.

10. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the connection member comprises an adhesive layer positioned between and in engagement with the housing and the retention plate.

11. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the housing and the retention plate comprises the connection member.

12. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the opening of the retention plate is sized smaller than a portion of the electrical contact.

13. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the retention plate is configured to connect to the electrical contact using a snap-fit connection.

14. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the housing.

15. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the housing, wherein the adhesive layer comprises indicia.

16. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the retention plate is positioned between the housing and a body of the electrode when the connector assembly connects the electrical lead to the electrical contact of the electrode.

17. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical lead comprises one of an approximately cylindrical wire and an approximately planar shape.

18. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the end portion of the electrical lead is a distal end portion and the electrical lead extends between the distal end portion and a proximal end portion that is configured to be electrically connected to an electronic device.

19. The electrical lead assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical lead assembly is an electrocardiograph (ECG) electrical lead assembly.

20. An electrode lead assembly comprising:

an electrode including an electrical contact;

a retention plate held on the electrode, the retention plate including an opening having the electrical contact of the electrode received therethrough;

a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body, at least a portion of the electrical contact being received into the receptacle;

an electrical lead having an end portion, at least a portion of the end portion of the electrical lead being held within the receptacle between the electrical contact of the electrode and a wall of the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact; and

a connection member holding the housing on the retention plate.