Disposable defibrillator electrode assembly

• US 20060058846A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Heartsine Technologies Limited (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Smirles, William J, Anderson, Johnny H
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3975 Power supply A61N1/378 takes precedence

Abstract

A disposable electrode assembly for a portable defibrillator (12) comprises defibrillator electrodes (14), batteries (24) for powering the defibrillator, and a connector (22) for connecting the electrodes and batteries to the defibrillator. The connector has power output terminals (20) for connecting the battery to the defibrillator and high voltage input terminals (20) for applying a defibrillation voltage to the electrodes. The batteries (24) are housed in the connector (22) or mounted on the rear of one electrode

Claims

1. A disposable electrode assembly for a portable defibrillator, the assembly comprising at least one defibrillator electrode, at least one battery for powering the defibrillator, and a connector for connecting the electrode and battery to the defibrillator, the connector having power output terminals for connecting the at least one battery to the defibrillator and at least one high voltage input terminal for applying a defibrillation voltage to the at least one electrode.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises two defibrillation electrodes.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the defibrillation electrodes are electrically connected externally of the defibrillator by a frangible connection which is broken when the electrodes are deployed for use.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one defibrillation electrode is sealed in a pouch and further including means for completing a power supply circuit to the power input terminals upon opening the pouch.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the battery is housed in the connector.

6. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery is mounted on the rear of the at least one defibrillation electrode.

7. A combination of a defibrillator and an assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one defibrillation electrode has a stowage location on the defibrillator housing and removal of the electrode from the stowage location automatically connects power to the defibrillator.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises one defibrillator electrode and a second defibrillator electrode is attached to the exterior of the defibrillator housing.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 23, wherein the defibrillator has circuitry to determine when the frangible link is broken and upon such determination to complete a power supply circuit in the defibrillator.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 2 or as claimed in claim 10, wherein the assembly comprises a common housing for the defibrillation electrodes and the at least one battery, the common electrode/battery housing being removably fitted to the defibrillator housing and having power output and high voltage input terminals for connection to corresponding terminals on the defibrillator housing.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein the common housing is slidable into a complementary recess in the defibrillator housing, the sliding movement bringing the terminals on the two housings into engagement.

13. A combination claimed in claim 12, wherein the common housing comprises a shallow upper tray-like recess for accommodating the defibrillator electrodes and a deeper battery-containing recess occupying part of the area of the tray-like recess whereby the common housing has a stepped lower surface, wherein the defibrillator housing has a stepped recess complementary to that of the lower surface of the common housing, wherein the common housing is slid into the recess in the defibrillator housing from an edge thereof in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the tray-like recess, and wherein the engaging terminals are located on riser portions of the lower surface of the common housing and the complementary recess in the defibrillator housing.