Mechanical connector for securing compatible medical instruments together

• US 5,487,751 A
• Filed: 11/04/1994
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Cristobal, Cliff, Radons, Stephen W., Mills, Randall D., King, Steven L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US08/334,624
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/5, 607/2, 607/1, 439/909, 128/897
• US Class Current: 607/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/333 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling

Abstract

A mechanical connector (10) for securing together an electrocardiogram monitor (12) and a defibrillator (14). The connector includes a tongue (16) disposed on a side surface (18) of the ECG monitor and a set of angle flanges (22) disposed on the defibrillator. A keyway (52) extends lengthwise at a rearward portion of a channel (36) between the tongue (16) and the side surface (18). A key (50) fits within the keyway (52) when the tongue (16) is slid within the set of angle flanges (22). The key (50) prevents the defibrillator from being fully coupled with an ECG monitor that lacks the corresponding keyway.

Claims

1. A mechanical connector for securing a first and a second medical instrument together, wherein said first and second medical instruments include an electrical interface through which data can be transmitted from the first instrument to the second instrument, the connector comprising:

a tongue portion disposed on the first instrument, the tongue portion including a joining section disposed on a side wall of the first instrument and an outer wall disposed on the joining section, the outer wall having a width that is wider than the joining section to create a top and a bottom channel between the outer wall and the side wall of the first instrument, the top channel having a substantially uniform depth along its entire length and the bottom channel having a first depth along a major portion of its length and a second depth that is deeper than the first depth at a rearward portion of the bottom channel, said deep portion of the bottom channel defining a keyway;

a groove portion disposed on a side wall of the second instrument, the groove portion including a pair of angle flanges extending from the side wall of the second instrument, said groove portion being capable of receiving said outer wall of the tongue portion such that the electrical interfaces of the first and second instruments are engaged.

2. The mechanical connection of claim 1, wherein said groove portion includes an outer side wall, said outer side wall having a first section of substantially uniform height and a second section having a height that is greater than the height of the first section, the second section defining a key that fits within the keyway.