ECG electrode connector
First Claim
1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad;
an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening; and
a pushbutton slidably disposed within the housing and having at least a released position and a depressed position, wherein the pushbutton further includes a central opening defined therein, inner portions of the pushbutton defining the central opening configured to operably engage the press stud when the pushbutton is in the released position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the disclosed connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The disclosed connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.
29 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
-
a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening; and a pushbutton slidably disposed within the housing and having at least a released position and a depressed position, wherein the pushbutton further includes a central opening defined therein, inner portions of the pushbutton defining the central opening configured to operably engage the press stud when the pushbutton is in the released position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of engaging an ECG connector with a press stud of an ECG pad, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing an ECG connector having a pushbutton slidably disposed within a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad, an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening, the pushbutton having at least a released position and a depressed position; sliding the pushbutton relative to the housing to position the pushbutton to the depressed position; introducing the press stud into the first opening and the second opening; and positioning the pushbutton to the released position to engage the pushbutton with the press stud. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
-
14. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
-
a housing having inner portions defining a passage for reception of a press stud of an ECG electrode pad and an electrical contact member adjacent the passage; and a single pushbutton slidably disposed within the housing and adapted to translate between a first position to permit reception of the press stud within the passage and a second position in which the inner portions of the push button engage the press stud to effect an electrical coupling relation with the electrical contact member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:
-
a housing having a first opening disposed therein dimensioned to operably receive the press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contact member having a second opening disposed therein, the second opening disposed substantially concentrically to the first opening; and a pushbutton slidably disposed within the housing and having at least a released position and a depressed position, wherein the pushbutton further includes a central opening defined therein, inner portions of the pushbutton defining the central opening configured to operably engage the press stud when the pushbutton is in the released position, wherein the pushbutton is a single element.
-
Specification