Patent US5004425A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5326272A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5326272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low profile electrode connector
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-02
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2011-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A low profile connector, as for an electrode, is disclosed. The connector of the invention includes an electrically conductive connector body and electrical connector means to separate electronics. The connector body has a channel or groove which communicates with one side of the connector body and its bottom. The channel leads to a "stop" position located substantially the central portion of said body. Viewed from the bottom of the connector body, the channel is interiorly concave so as to cooperatively, preferably rotatively and restrictively receive and hold an upstanding portion of an electrode, such as an electrode eyelet. In a preferred aspect, the present invention is an electrical assembly which includes the connector body and a biomedical electrode, such as a TENS electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Harhen
- 👤 William J. Marlow
- 👤 Dawn E. Sissom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/271; A61B5/273; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0472; A61N1/048; H; H01; H01R; H01R11/00; H01R11/11; A61N1/0408; A61N1/0456; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A connector for slidable and electrically conductive engagement with an upstanding connecting member of an electrode, the connector comprising: a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, and being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member; electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to separate electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening; and means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A connector for slidable and electrically conductive engagement with an upstanding connecting member of an electrode, the connector comprising: a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, and being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member; electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to separate electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening; and means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an elcetrically conductive polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A connector according to claim 2 wherein the polymeric material is carbon loaded polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector according to claim 4 wherein the metal comprises a wire extending around a substantially circular terminus of the channel such that the upstanding connector member contacts the wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein the connector body has grip means on the top thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein the connector body is substantially square, having four sides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein the narrow portion of said channel in said connector body is, in cross section, a truncated triangle with the longer edge thereof being interior said connector body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
217 words
A connector assembly for a biomedical electrode comprising a connector body and a biomedical electrode, the connector comprising: a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and a bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation between said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a substantially circular terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, said channel being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member; electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to external electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening and means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel; and the biomedical electrode comprising: a backing member, the backing member having on one side thereof; conductive material to make electrical contact with skin; and adhesive material for adhering said backing member to skin; the electrode further comprising: an upstanding connecting member extending through said banking member which is electrically coupled to said conductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
217 words
A connector assembly for a biomedical electrode comprising a connector body and a biomedical electrode, the connector comprising: a connector body having a multiplicity of sides, a top and a bottom, the connector body having therein a channel, the channel communicating with one side and the bottom of said body so as to slidably and restrictively receive said member while permitting rotation between said body and said electrode, the channel having a widened portion opening to the one side and tapering to a narrower portion, said narrower portion of said channel having a substantially circular terminus at approximately the center of said connector body, said channel being interiorly concave so as to cooperate with said member; electrical conductor means for connecting said connector body to external electrical input or output means, said electrical conductor means attached to and extending into said connector body at a point adjacent the channel opening and means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel; and the biomedical electrode comprising: a backing member, the backing member having on one side thereof; conductive material to make electrical contact with skin; and adhesive material for adhering said backing member to skin; the electrode further comprising: an upstanding connecting member extending through said banking member which is electrically coupled to said conductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive polymeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the polymeric material is carbon loaded polypropylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical conductor means to said channel comprises an electrically conductive metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector assembly according to claim 12 wherein the metal comprises a wire extending around the substantially circular terminus of the channel such that the upstanding connector member contacts the wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the biomedical electrode is a TENS electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upstanding connecting member is a post.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upstanding connecting member is a bulbous post.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |