Electrode and enclosure for cardiac monitoring and treatment

Abstract

A defibrillator electrode (10) and enclosure (23, 24) are described in which the electrodes are sealed to the inside of a rigid enclosure (23, 24). The enclosure is hinged to open and expose the electrodes for deployment. The electrode gel is sealed against moisture loss between the moisture impervious electrode backing and the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure may further include an electrical circuit for electrode self-testing, the circuit being broken when the enclosure is opened.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to electrodes for medical devices, and in particular to medical electrodes and housings for cardiac monitors or defibrillation / pacing devices. Background technique [0002] Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in the United States. Most sudden cardiac deaths are caused by ventricular fibrillation ("VF"), in which the heart muscle fibers contract uncoordinated, thereby interrupting normal blood flow to the body. The only known treatment for VF is electrical defibrillation, in which electrical impulses are applied to the patient's heart. This shock clears the heart of abnormal electrical activity (in a process called "defibrillation") by depolarizing a critical mass of cardiomyocytes to allow spontaneous tissue resuscitation from myocardial depolarization. [0003] One method of providing electrical defibrillation is an automatic or semi-automatic external defibrillator, collectively referred to as ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

First, the operator must open the sealed bag

Second, the operator must plug the electrode connector into the AED base unit

Third, the operator must remove the release liner from one electrode, which usually covers the gel on the electrode pad, and fourth, the operator must place the electrode on the patient

However, storing the package in this form is undesirable as the exposed backside of the non-conductive base layer may be subject to environmental contamination or be perforated or damaged

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