ECG electrode connector

• US 9,408,547 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zhou, David, Yu, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US14/160,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20140309514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 439/668, 439/729
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/17 Comprising radiolucent components
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

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 and is suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or MRI. The connector assembly includes a housing having. An engagement member is pivotably disposed within the housing to retain the connector on an ECG electrode fixed to a patient'"'"'s body, an arcuate stiffener is deposed between the engagement member and a pivot member and a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member.

Claims

1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising:

a housing having an interior recessed surface having disposed therein an opening dimensioned to operably receiving a press stud of an ECG electrode pad;

a radiolucent conductor disposed on at least a portion of the interior recessed surface;

a radiolucent lead wire conductor extending from a proximal end of the housing and operably coupled to the radiolucent conductor;

an engagement member pivotably disposed upon the interior recessed surface and having an engaging face and a pivot, wherein the engagement member is pivotable between a first position whereby the engaging face is closer to a top portion of the opening and a second position whereby engaging face is further from a top portion of the opening;

an arcuate stiffener disposed between an end of the engaging face distal from the pivot and pivot of the engagement member; and

a radiolucent resilient member configured to bias the engagement member towards the first position;

wherein the arcuate stiffener is spaced apart from the engaging face.

2. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent resilient member includes a plurality of lobes.

3. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent resilient member includes a center opening defined therein.

4. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent resilient member includes one or more projections that cooperatively interfere to generate tactile feedback when the engagement member is moved between the first position and the second position.

5. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent conductor extends onto at least a portion of a sidewall of the opening.

6. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent conductor is formed from carbon.

7. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein

the radiolucent conductor is formed by:

dispersing conductive carbon powder over the interior recessed surface; and

fusing the conductive carbon powder to the interior recessed surface.

8. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiolucent resilient member has a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially spherical, substantially cylindrical, or substantially ovoid.

9. The ECG connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pivotable axis of the engagement member is orthogonal to the interior recessed surface.