Removable medical electrode system

Claim 2

An atraumatic removable medical electrode system for monitoring electrical activity of selected tissue, comprising: a flexible member of electrically insulating material having an inner surface shaped to conform to a surface of said tissue, said member having a circumferential length sufficient to cover an arc of more than 180 degrees, but less than 360 degrees, for engaging said tissue; an electrical conductor affixed to said inner surface of said member; means for electrically coupling said conductor to an electrical circuit; and actuating means connected to said member for moving said member between a contracted position for holding said electrode on said tissue, and an expanded position for placing said electrode onto and removing said electrode from said tissue.

Claim 3

The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor covers an arc substantially equal to an arc sufficient to cover the surface of the tissue being monitored.

Claim 4

The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said electrical coupling means is integral with said actuating means.

Claim 5

The electrode system of claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes a leg mounted to said member having a line extending from a distal end of said leg, and a guide slidably carrying said line to establish reciprocal movement of said leg to remotely move said member between said expanded and contracted positions.

Claim 6

The electrode system of claim 4, wherein said electrical coupling means is carried in said leg and said line.

Claim 7

The electrode system of claim 5, wherein said member includes an elastic flex portion.

Claim 8

The electrode system of claim 6, further comprising an applicator having a stationary shaft member and an reciprocating rod member carried on said stationary shaft member, said stationary shaft member having a position for engaging said guide; and said reciprocating rod member having means for holding said line to reciprocate said line.

Claim 9

The electrode system of claim 6, further comprising a wand having means for engaging said guide to hold said guide stationary in relation to said line.

Claim 10

A removable medical electrode for monitoring electrical activity of a selected portion of tissue comprising: means for engaging said selected portion of said tissue, said engaging means including a pair of opposed resilient semi-rigid arcuate grasping members shaped for atraumatically holding said engaging means on said tissue portion; means connected to said engaging means for remotely reciprocating said resilient semi-rigid arcuate grasping members between a contracted position wherein said members are spaced apart a first distance to atraumatically grasp said tissue portion, and an expanded position wherein said grasping members are spaced apart a second distance to permit atraumatic application and removal of said electrode to and from said tissue portion; and means for electrically connecting said engaging means to an electrical circuit.

Claim 11

A removable medical electrode for monitoring electrical activity of a selected portion of tissue comprising: means for engaging said selected portion of said tissue, said engaging means including a pair of opposed resilient semi-rigid arcuate grasping members shaped for atraumatically holding said engaging means on said tissue portion; means connected to said engaging means for remotely reciprocating said resilient semi-rigid arcuate grasping members between a contracted position wherein said members are spaced apart a first distance to atraumatically grasp said tissue portion, and an expanded position wherein said grasping members are spaced apart a second distance to permit atraumatic application and removal of said electrode to and from said tissue portion; and means for electrically connecting said engaging means to an electrical circuit.