Discriminating medical electrode connector

Claim 1

A discriminating connector for connecting a defibrillation electrode but not an ECG monitoring electrode to a cable, the defibrillation electrode having a conducting post located a first distance from an outer edge of the defibrillation electrode and the ECG monitoring electrode having a conducting post substantially identical to the conducting post of the defibrillation electrode located a second distance from an outer edge of the ECG monitoring electrode, the second distance being substantially greater than the first distance, wherein the discriminating connector comprises: (a) housing means having an opening that is configured to permit a medical electrode having a conducting post to be inserted edge first therein, wherein said housing means includes an upper member having sides and first and second ends, a lower member having sides and first and second ends, wherein said lower member is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said upper member, and a connecting member located between said first and second ends of said upper and lower members and connecting said upper and lower members, and wherein said opening is defined by an upper wall formed by said upper member between said first end of said upper member and said connecting member, a lower wall formed by said lower member between said first end of said lower member and said connecting member, and a backwall formed by said connecting member; and, (b) conductive receiving means disposed within said opening of said housing means for receiving said conducting post of said medical electrode, wherein said housing means is constructed to permit the insertion of said medical electrode into said opening to a depth which is at least equal to that required for said conductive receiving means to receive the conducting post of the defibrillation electrode but which is less than that required to receive the conducting post of the ECG monitoring electrode.