Electrode package

Abstract

An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed has an envelope that includes a sheet of material and a releasable seal joining portions of the envelope to provide a sealed first compartment in which an electrode may be isolated from an external environment. The envelope includes a first wall that defines a first interior surface facing the interior of the sealed first compartment. The first interior surface includes an electrode mounting surface for direct attachment of an adhesive portion of an electrode. The envelope is releasably sealed so that, when the envelope is sealed, the first interior surface is isolated from an external environment and, when the envelope is unsealed, the first interior surface is not isolated from the external environment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to electrode packages.[0002]Skin-applied electrodes used in medical applications such as cardiac pacing or defibrillation are well known. Typically, these electrodes consist of a wire lead that is attached at one end to a connector for a medical device and, at the other end, to a conductor such as a thin layer of tin or another metal resting on a foam backing. The conductor is covered with a water-based, conductive adhesive gel that contacts a patient's skin and electrically connects the electrode to the patient.[0003]To prevent the adhesive gel from drying out, and to maintain the electrodes in a sanitary condition, the electrodes are stored in a package prior to use. In some such packages, plastic covers are positioned over the conductive adhesive gel of each electrode. The covered electrodes are then positioned within a sealed bag. To use the electrodes, medical personnel must tear open the bag, pull out and separate the elec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]In one aspect, generally, the invention features an electrode package in which the conductive adhesive gel of an electrode is attached directly to an electrode mounting surface located on an interior surface of a wall of a releasably sealed envelope. When sealed, the envelope isolates the electrode from the external environment and thereby prevents the adhesive gel from drying out. To use the electrode, medical personnel tear open the envelope and expose the electrode.

[0005]Because the electrode is attached directly to the interior surface of the envelope, the steps of pulling the electrode out of the bag and removing the plastic cover that were required when using prior electrode packages are condensed into a single step of detaching the electrode from the interior surface of the package. The time saved by the elimination of a step can literally be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. For example, when defibrillation is required, every second of delay in applying the electrode can be critical. Moreover, attaching the electrode to the interior of the envelope eliminates the risk of dropping the electrode that occurs when the electrode is loosely packaged within a bag or other container.

[0006]Typically, a second electrode is directly attached to an electrode mounting surface of a second interior surface of the envelope so that, when the envelope is sealed, the first and second interior surfaces face each other. The envelope is then unsealed in a manner similar to that of opening a book so that the two electrodes, like the facing pages of a book, are located on a single surface. This arrangement, which makes both electrodes readily accessible by medical personnel, further simplifies and accelerates the process of applying the electrodes to the patient. In addition, it provides a compact, efficient package.

Problems solved by technology

For example, when defibrillation is required, every second of delay in applying the electrode can be critical.

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