US008251736B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Mclntire et a].
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`(54) CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR
`ELECTRICAL LEAD TO
`
`(75) Inventors: James F. McIntire, West Linn, OR (U S);
`Brian Erik Haug, Portland, OR (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation, BerWyn,
`PA (Us)
`
`h?rifnore
`2
`3,;
`ea y
`,
`,
`9/1982 Striese
`4,350,165 A
`4,353,372 A 10/1982 Ayer
`4,357,750 A 11/1982 Ostman
`4,438,999 A
`3/1984 Lang
`4,487,992 A 12/ 1984 Tomita
`4,490,005 A 12/1984 Hovey
`4,573,752 A
`3/1986 Rich
`(Continued)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 79 days.
`
`EP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1264575 A2 12/2002
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl- NOJ 12/2361333
`
`(22) Pl d
`1 e :
`
`(65)
`
`S
`23 2008
`ep.
`,
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Mar. 25, 2010
`
`US 2010/0075527 A1
`(51) Int Cl
`(200601)
`H01R 13/62 7
`(52) us. Cl. ..................................................... .. 439/357
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`439/357
`439/345 496 411
`859 592’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`239/12 20’
`See application ?le for Complete Search history. ’
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,069,753 A 12/1962 Lalmond et al.
`3,325,769 A
`6/1967 Travis
`3,353,141 A 11/1967 Budai
`3,462,542 A
`8/1969 Richter
`3,513,045 A
`5/1970 Emmelet a1.
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`8/1971 Gordy
`3,641,482 A
`2/1972 Bretting
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`3,696,319 A 10/1972 Olsson
`3,802,974 A
`4/1974 Emmel
`
`International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/
`US2009/005175, mailed Dec. 18, 2009.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Jean F Duverne
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A connector assembly is provided for connecting an electrical
`lead to the electrical Contact of an electrode- The Connector
`assembly includes a retention plate having an opening con
`?gured to receive the electrical contact ofthe electrode there
`through such that the retention plate is held on the electrode,
`and a housing including a body and a receptacle extending
`into the body. The receptacle includes a siZe and shape that is
`complimentarily to the electrical contact of the electrode such
`that the receptacle is con?gured to receive at least a portion of
`the electrical contact therein. The receptacle is con?gured
`such that When the electrical contact is received Within the
`receptacle, the receptacle is con?gured to hold a portion of the
`electrical lead Within the receptacle betWeen the electrical
`contact and the body of the housing such that the electrical
`lead is engaged With and electrically connected to the elec
`trical contact. A connection member is con?gured to hold the
`housing on the retention plate.
`
`20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 1
`
`

`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1987 0mm?“ 6‘ a1~
`4,653,501 A
`8/1987 Fourn1a1eta1. ............. .. 600/391
`4,686,995 A
`7/1988 Healy
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`8/1990 (391m ‘ital
`4,945,911 A
`$133; glbmk
`A
`2.1mm
`’
`’
`8/1993 A1nsWorth et a1.
`5,235,132 A
`5,250,127 A 10/1993 Hm
`5,645,440 A
`7/1997 Tobleretal'
`5,897,406 A
`4/1999 Benes
`5,978,693 A ll/l999 Hamilton et al.
`6,071,141 A
`6/2000 Semmeling etal.
`6,531,658 B2
`3/2003 Tanaka et al.
`6,659,794 B2 12/2003 Yamatani er a1~
`6,672,788 B2
`1/2004 Hathaway
`6,705,899 B1
`3/2004 J1
`6,766,578 B1
`7/2004 Swanson et a1.
`6,847,836 B1
`l/2005 Sujdak
`
`6,979,224 B2 12/2005 Boemmel et a1.
`7,001,207 B2
`2/2006 Boemmelet a1.
`7,062,309 B2* 6/2006 Ryu et a1. .................... .. 600/372
`7172455 B2
`2,2007 Pabst et 31‘
`7,297,872 B2 11/2007 Morijiri
`7510 425 B2
`3/2009 K110 et a1.
`7,520,774 B2
`4/2009 Watanabe
`7,521,634 B2
`4/2009 (3161116131.
`7538 276 B2
`5/2009 Nammi
`2005/0251004 A1 11/2005 Istvan et a1.
`2007/0175652 A1
`8/2007 Narumi
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/
`US2009/005173,mai1edNov. 26, 2009.
`International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/
`US2009/005170, mailedNov. 10, 2009.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 0110
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 4
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`54
`
`66 )60
`
`FIG. 3
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 5
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`mm /
`
`mm
`
`mm
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 6
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 7
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`222
`
`228
`226
`
`\
`
`V//////////)\
`
`\
`
`555114.545.‘
`
`227
`
`214
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 8
`
`

`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 9
`
`

`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`578
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 11
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2012
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 12
`
`

`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`1
`CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR
`CONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL LEAD TO
`AN ELECTRODE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The subject matter described and illustrated herein relates
`generally to electrical lead assemblies, and more particularly,
`to a connector assembly for connecting an electrical lead to an
`electrode.
`An electrocardio graph (ECG) system monitors heart elec
`trical activity in a patient. Conventional ECG systems utiliZe
`electrodes placed on a patient in speci?c locations to detect
`electrical impulses generated by the heart during each beat.
`Typically, the electrical impulses or signals are detected by
`and directly transferred from the electrodes to a stationary
`ECG monitor via multiple cables or Wires. The ECG monitor
`performs various signal processing and computational opera
`tions to convert the raW electrical signals into meaningful
`information that can be displayed on a monitor or printed out
`for revieW by a physician.
`ECG measurements are taken by applying electrodes to
`different chest locations and additional body locations, such
`as the arms and legs. Each of the electrodes is electrically
`connected to the ECG monitor by a corresponding electrical
`lead. To electrically connect the electrical leads to the elec
`trodes, an end portion of each electrical lead typically
`includes an electrical connector that engages an electrical
`contact, for example a stud, of the corresponding electrode.
`Each electrical connector is typically connected to the corre
`sponding lead using conventional methods, such as by Weld
`ing, soldering, or crimping the electrical connector to the end
`portion of the corresponding electrical lead. HoWever, con
`necting the electrical connectors to the electrical leads may
`increase the cost and/or dif?culty of manufacturing and/or
`assembling the electrical leads. Moreover, the electrical con
`nectors typically engage the electrical contacts of the elec
`trodes using a “snap”, “pinch”, or “grabber” arrangement,
`Which may increase a siZe and/ or a complexity of the electri
`cal leads and therefore may increase the cost and/ or dif?culty
`of manufacturing the electrical leads, assembling the electri
`cal leads, and/or connecting the electrical leads to the elec
`trodes.
`There is a need for an electrical lead that is less costly
`and/or more easily manufactured, assembled, and/or con
`nected to an electrode than at least some knoWn electrical
`leads.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one embodiment, a connector assembly is provided for
`connecting an electrical lead to the electrical contact of an
`electrode. The connector assembly includes a retention plate
`having an opening con?gured to receive the electrical contact
`of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is
`held on the electrode, and a housing including a body and a
`receptacle extending into the body. The receptacle includes a
`siZe and shape that is complimentarily to the electrical contact
`of the electrode such that the receptacle is con?gured to
`receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein. The
`receptacle is con?gured such that When the electrical contact
`is received Within the receptacle, the receptacle is con?gured
`to hold a portion of the electrical lead Within the receptacle
`betWeen the electrical contact and the body of the housing
`such that the electrical lead is engaged With and electrically
`connected to the electrical contact. A connection member is
`con?gured to hold the housing on the retention plate.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`In another embodiment, an electrical lead assembly is pro
`vided for connection to an electrical contact of an electrode.
`The electrical lead assembly includes a retention plate having
`an opening con?gured to receive the electrical contact of the
`electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on
`the electrode, and a housing including a body and a receptacle
`extending into the body. The receptacle is con?gured to
`receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein. The
`electrical lead assembly also includes an electrical lead hav
`ing an end portion. A connection member holds the housing
`on the retention plate. The receptacle is con?gured such that
`When the electrical contact is received Within the opening of
`the retention plate and Within the receptacle, a portion of the
`end portion of the electrical lead is held Within the receptacle
`betWeen the electrical contact of the electrode and the body of
`the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged With and
`electrically connected to the electrical contact.
`In another embodiment, an electrode lead assembly is pro
`vided. The electrode lead assembly includes an electrode
`including an electrical contact, and a retention plate held on
`the electrode. The retention plate includes an opening having
`the electrical contact of the electrode received therethrough.
`A housing includes a body and a receptacle extending into the
`body. At least a portion of the electrical contact is received
`into the receptacle. An electrical lead has an end portion. At
`least a portion of the end portion of the electrical lead is held
`Within the receptacle betWeen the electrical contact of the
`electrode and the body of the housing such that the electrical
`lead is engaged With and electrically connected to the elec
`trical contact. A connection member holds the housing on the
`retention plate.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of an exemplary embodiment
`of an electrode lead set for electrical connection to a patient’ s
`body.
`FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective vieW of a portion
`of an exemplary embodiment of an electrode lead assembly of
`the electrode lead set shoWn in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional vieW of an exemplary embodi
`ment of a housing of a connector assembly of the electrode
`lead assembly shoWn in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective vieW of the electrode lead assembly
`shoWn in FIG. 2 illustrating the electrode lead assembly in an
`assembled state.
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional vieW of a portion of the electrode
`lead assembly shoWn in FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodi
`ment of an electrocardiogram (ECG) system that the elec
`trode lead set shoWn in FIG. 1 may be used With.
`FIG. 7 is a partially exploded cross sectional vieW of a
`portion of an exemplary alternative embodiment of an elec
`trode lead assembly.
`FIG. 8 is a partially exploded cross sectional vieW of a
`portion of another exemplary alternative embodiment of an
`electrode lead assembly.
`FIG. 9 is a partially exploded cross sectional vieW of a
`portion of another exemplary alternative embodiment of an
`electrode lead assembly.
`FIG. 10 is a bottom plan vieW of an exemplary embodiment
`of a portion of an electrical lead assembly of the electrode
`lead assembly shoWn in FIG. 9.
`FIG. 11 is a partially exploded cross sectional vieW of a
`portion of another exemplary alternative embodiment of an
`electrode lead assembly.
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 13
`
`

`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 12 is a top plan vieW of an exemplary embodiment of
`a portion of a retention plate of the electrode lead assembly
`shoWn in FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective vieW of a por
`tion of another exemplary alternative embodiment of an elec
`trode lead assembly.
`FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective vieW of a por
`tion of another exemplary alternative embodiment of an elec
`trode lead assembly.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of an exemplary embodiment
`of an electrode lead set 10 for electrical connection to a
`patient’s body. The electrode lead set 10 includes a plurality
`of electrode lead assemblies 12. Each electrode lead assembly
`12 includes an electrical lead 14 that extends along a length
`from a proximal end portion 16 to a distal end portion 18. The
`distal end portion 18 of each of the electrical leads 14 includes
`an electrode 20. Speci?cally, and as Will be described in more
`detail beloW, each electrode 20 is electrically connected to the
`corresponding electrical lead 14 at the distal end portion 18
`thereof. The electrodes 20 are each con?gured to be placed at
`different locations on the patient’s body for measuring physi
`ological information of the patient’s body. As Will be
`described in more detail beloW, connector assemblies 28 are
`provided for connecting the electrical leads 14 to the corre
`sponding electrodes 20.
`Each electrical lead 14 includes an electrical conductor 22
`that extends along the length of the electrical lead 14 betWeen
`the proximal and distal end portions 16 and 18, respectively.
`Each of the electrical conductors 22 is electrically connected
`to the corresponding electrode 20 to provide an electrical
`connection betWeen the electrode 20 and any electronic
`device, for example any electronic device that reads and/or
`delivers electrical signals from and/ or to a body, such as, but
`not limited to, a monitoring device (such as, but not limited to,
`an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring device (e.g., the
`ECG monitoring device 102 shoWn in FIG. 6), a hand-held
`system monitor (not shoWn), and/or the like), a stimulating
`device, and/or the like. Speci?cally, at the proximal end por
`tion 16 of each of the electrical leads 14, the electrical con
`ductor 22 is electrically connected to the electronic device
`(Whether directly or indirectly using an extension, one or
`more electrical connectors, and/or the like) such that each of
`the electrodes 20 are electrically connected to one or more
`corresponding circuits (not shoWn) of the electronic device.
`The electronic device may be any suitable processing device
`that is capable of performing signal processing and compu
`tational operations to convert the raW electrical signals from
`and/ or to the electrodes 20 into meaningful information (such
`as, but not limited to, ECG information and/ or the like) that
`may optionally be displayed on a monitor (e.g., the monitor
`104 shoWn in FIG. 6), printed for revieW by a physician,
`and/ or the like.
`In the exemplary embodiment, each of the electrical leads
`14 includes the electrical conductor 22 and an electrically
`insulative cover 24. In other embodiments, each of the elec
`trical leads 14 may be shielded along at least a portion of the
`length of the electrical lead 14. The electrical leads 14 may be
`shielded using any suitable arrangement, con?guration,
`structure, means, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to,
`surrounding at least a portion of the electrical conductors 22
`With any suitable electrically insulative material(s) (not
`shoWn), and surrounding at least a portion of the insulative
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`material With an electrically conductive material (not shoWn)
`that is at least partially surrounded by the electrically insula
`tive cover 24.
`The electrical conductors 22 may each be fabricated from
`any suitable electrically conductive material(s) that enables
`the electrical conductors 22 to electrically connect the elec
`trodes 20 to the electronic device and/or that enables the
`electrode lead set 10 to function as described herein, such as,
`but not limited to, silver, aluminum, gold, copper, other
`metallic conductors, non-metallic conductors (such as, but
`not limited to, carbon and/or the like), and/or the like. The
`electrical conductors 22 may also have any suitable con?gu
`ration, shape, and/or the like that that enables the electrical
`conductors 22 to electrically connect the electrodes 20 to the
`electronic device and/or that enables the electrode lead set 10
`to function as described herein, such as, but not limited to, an
`approximately cylindrical Wire (Whether the Wire consists of
`a plurality of strands or only one strand), an approximately
`planar shape, and/or the like. The insulative cover 24 may be
`fabricated from any suitable insulative material(s) that facili
`tates insulating the electrical conductors 22 and/or that
`enables the electrode lead set 10 to function as described
`herein, such as, but not limited to, polyester (e.g., Mylar®),
`polyvinyl chloride, thermo-plastic-elastomer, and/ or polyim
`ide (e.g., Kapton®)).
`The electrode lead set 10 may include any number of
`electrode lead assemblies 12 for positioning any number of
`electrodes 20 at any number of locations on the patient’s
`body. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 6, the
`electrode lead set 10 includes ?ve electrode lead assemblies
`12 for use Within an ECG system (e.g., the ECG system 100
`shoWn in FIG. 6). For example, the electrodes 20 of four of the
`?ve electrode lead assemblies 12 are con?gured to be placed
`at different limbs of a patient’s body (e.g., both arms and both
`legs) and one of the ?ve electrode lead assemblies 12 is
`con?gured to be placed on the chest region of the patient’s
`body. An example of an alternative embodiment of the elec
`trode lead set 10 includes only three electrode lead assemblies
`12 for use Within an ECG system, Wherein the electrodes 20
`of the three electrode lead assemblies 12 are con?gured to be
`placed at different limbs of the patient’s body (e.g., both arms
`and the left leg). Yet another example of an alternative
`embodiment of the electrode lead set 10 includes ten elec
`trode lead assemblies 12 Wherein the electrodes 20 of six of
`the electrode lead assemblies 12 are con?gured to be placed at
`six different locations on a chest region of the patient’s body
`(e.g., the prescribed ECG precordial locations V1, V2, V3, V4,
`V5, and V6 of the American Heart Association (AHA) or the
`prescribed ECG precordial locations C 1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and
`C6 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC))
`and the electrodes 20 of four electrode lead assemblies 12 are
`con?gured to be placed on different limbs of the patient’s
`body (e.g., the prescribed locations RA, LA, RL, and LL of
`the AHA or the prescribed locations R, L, N, and F of the
`IEC). Even another example of an alternative embodiment of
`the electrode lead set 10 includes tWelve electrode lead
`assemblies 12 for use Within an ECG system, Wherein some
`of the electrodes 20 of the tWelve electrode lead assemblies 12
`are con?gured to be placed at different limbs of the patient’s
`body and some of the electrodes 20 of the tWelve electrode
`lead assemblies 12 are con?gured to be placed on the chest
`region of the patient’s body. The electrode lead set 10 is not
`limited to the three, ?ve, ten, and tWelve electrode lead assem
`bly 12 embodiments described and/or illustrated herein, but
`rather may include any number of electrode lead assemblies
`12 for positioning any number of electrodes 20 at any number
`of locations on the patient’s body.
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 14
`
`

`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective vieW of a portion of an
`exemplary embodiment of an electrode lead assembly 12 of
`the electrode lead set 10 (FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional
`vieW of an exemplary embodiment of a housing 26 of a
`connector assembly 28 of the electrode lead assembly 12
`(FIGS. 1 and 2). Each electrode lead assembly 12 includes the
`electrical lead 14, the electrode 20, and the connector assem
`bly 28. A combination of an electrical lead 14 and the con
`nector assembly 28 may be referred to herein as an “electrical
`lead assembly”.
`The electrode 20 may be any suitable type of electrode that
`enables the electrode 20 to function as described herein. In the
`exemplary embodiment, the electrode 20 is a knoWn ECG
`electrode. For example, the electrode 20 includes a base 29
`that holds an electrical contact 30. The base 29 includes a side
`portion 32 that engages the patient’s body and an opposite
`side portion 34. The electrical contact 30 extends betWeen
`opposite end portions 36 and 38. As Will be described in more
`detail beloW, the end portion 36 electrically connects to the
`electrical conductor 22 of the electrical lead 14. As can be
`seen in FIG. 5, in the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the
`end portion 38 of the electrical contact 30 extends on the side
`portion 32 of the base 29 and engages the patient’s body to
`form an electrical connection betWeen the electrical contact
`30 and the patient’s body. In other embodiments, the end
`portion 38 of the electrical contact 30 engages another elec
`trical contact (not shoWn) that extends on the side portion 32
`of the base 29 for electrical connection to the patient’s body.
`In still other embodiments, the base 29 of the electrode 20
`holds an electrically conductive ?uid, adhesive, gel, and/or
`the like (not shoWn) that is exposed on the side portion 32 of
`the base 29 for electrical connection With the patient’s body;
`and the end portion 38 of the electrical contact 30 engages the
`electrically conductive ?uid, adhesive, gel, and/ or the like to
`form an electrical connection betWeen the electrical contact
`30 and the electrically conductive ?uid, adhesive, gel, and/or
`the like. The end portion 36 of the electrical contact 30 may
`have any suitable siZe and/ or shape that enables the electrode
`20 to function as described herein and/or that enables the
`connector assembly 28 to function as described herein. In the
`exemplary embodiment, the end portion 36 of the electrical
`contact 30 includes a stud 40 such that the electrical contact
`30 is a conventional snap-?t contact. As used herein, the term
`“stud” is intended to mean a protrusion.
`The connector assembly 28 connects the distal end portion
`18 of the electrical lead 14 to the electrode 20. Speci?cally,
`and as Will be described beloW, the connector assembly 28
`connects an end portion 42 of the electrical conductor 22 to
`the electrical contact 30 of the electrode 20. The connector
`assembly 28 includes the housing 26, a retention plate 44, and
`a connection member 46. The retention plate 44 includes a
`body 48 having an opening 50 extending therethrough. The
`opening 50 has a siZe and shape that enables the opening 50 to
`receive the end portion 36 of the electrical contact 30 there
`through. Engagement betWeen the retention plate body 48
`adjacent the opening 50 connects the retention plate 44 to the
`electrical contact 30 such that When the electrical contact end
`portion 36 is received Within opening 50, the retention plate
`44 is held on the electrode 20. The opening 50 is not limited
`to the siZe and shape described and illustrated in the exem
`plary embodiment. Rather, the opening 50 may have any
`suitable siZe and shape, depending on the siZe and shape of the
`electrical contact 30, that enables the opening 50 to receive
`the electrical contact end portion 36 therethrough and enables
`the retention plate 44 to be held on the electrode 20. In the
`exemplary embodiment, the opening 50 has a siZe and shape
`that is con?gured to receive and connect to the stud 40 of a
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`6
`conventional snap-?t electrical contact. Accordingly, in the
`exemplary embodiment, the opening 50 is siZed smaller than
`an enlarged-diameter portion 52 of the stud 40. HoWever, the
`portion of the retention plate 44 adjacent the opening 50 is
`suf?ciently resilient such that the siZe of the opening 50 may
`deform to alloW the enlarged-diameter portion 52 of the stud
`40 to be forced through the opening 50. Once the enlarged
`diameter portion 52 has passed through the opening 50, the
`opening 50 returns toWard the undeformed siZe to engage an
`optional reduced-diameter portion 53 of the stud 40. In the
`exemplary embodiment, the reduced-diameter portion 53 of
`the stud 40 is larger than the undeformed siZe of the opening
`50 such that the opening 50 does not return completely to the
`undeformed siZe. Alternatively, the reduced diameter portion
`53 of the stud 40 is smaller than the undeformed siZe of the
`opening 50 such that the opening 50 returns to the unde
`formed siZe after deforming to alloW the enlarged-diameter
`portion 52 of the stud 40 to pass therethrough. Turning again
`to the exemplary embodiment, because the reduced-diameter
`portion 53 of the stud 40, and thus the siZe of the opening 50
`When the stud 40 has been received therethrough, is smaller
`than the enlarged-diameter portion 52 of the stud 40, the
`retention plate 44 remains connected to the electrical contact
`30 unless enough force is used to pull the enlarged-diameter
`portion 52 of the stud 40 back through the opening 50. The
`retention plate 44 is therefore con?gured, in the exemplary
`embodiment, to connect to the electrical contact 30 using a
`snap-?t connection. It is noted that although in the exemplary
`embodiment the opening 50 has an approximately circular
`shape and the stud 40 has an approximately circular cross
`sectional shape, alternatively the opening 50 and/or the stud
`40 have other non-circular shapes.
`The housing 26 includes a body 54 having opposite side
`portions 56 and 58. When the housing 26 is assembled on the
`electrode 20, the side portion 56 faces the base 29 of the
`electrode 20. The housing 26 includes a receptacle 60 that
`extends into the body 54 on the side portion 56 thereof. In the
`exemplary embodiment, and as best seen in FIG. 3, the recep
`tacle 60 extends into the body 54 betWeen an open end portion
`62 and a bottom endpor‘tion 64. Speci?cally, the receptacle 60
`is de?ned by a Wall 66 of the body 54. The receptacle 60 has
`a siZe and shape that is complimentary to the electrical contact
`30 of the electrode 20 such that the receptacle 60 is con?gured
`to receive at least a portion of the end portion 36 of the
`electrical contact 30 therein. As Will be described in more
`detail beloW, the receptacle 60 is con?gured such that When
`the electrical contact 30 is received Within the receptacle 60,
`the receptacle 60 holds at least a portion of the end portion 42
`of the electrical conductor 22 Within the receptacle 60
`betWeen the Wall 66 of the receptacle 60 and the end portion
`36 of the electrical contact 30 such that the end portion 42 of
`the electrical conductor 22 is engaged With and electrically
`connected to the end portion 36 of the electrical contact 30. In
`an alternative embodiment, the receptacle 60 extends into and
`completely through the body 54.
`The receptacle 60 is not limited to the siZe and shape
`described and illustrated in the exemplary embodiment.
`Rather, the receptacle 60 may have any suitable siZe and
`shape, depending on the siZe and shape of the electrical con
`tact 30, that enables the receptacle 60 to receive at least a
`portion of the electrical contact 30 and hold at least a portion
`of the end portion 42 of the electrical conductor 22 Within the
`receptacle 60 in electrical connection With the end portion 36
`of the electrical contact 3 0. In the exemplary embodiment, the
`receptacle 60 has a siZe and shape that is con?gured to receive
`the stud 40 of a conventional snap-?t electrical contact. It is
`noted that although the receptacle 60 and the stud 40 have
`
`Natus Medical Inc., Natus Neurology Inc.,
`Embla Systems LLC and Embla Systems Ltd.
`Ex. 1018, p. 15
`
`

`
`US 8,251,736 B2
`
`7
`approximately circular cross sectional shapes in the exem
`plary embodiment, alternatively the receptacle 60 and/or the
`stud 40 have other non-circular cross-sectional shapes.
`The housing 26 may optionally include an opening 68 for
`receiving a portion of the electrical lead 14 therein, as Will be
`described in more detail beloW.
`As described above, the retention plate 44 connects to the
`electrical contact 30 of the electrode 20 to hold the retention
`plate 44 on the electrode 20. The housing 26 is held on the
`electrode 20 via connection With the retention plate 44. Con
`nection betWeen the housing 26 and the retention plate 44 is
`made via the connection member 46. The connection member
`46 may have any suitable siZe, shape, con?guration, arrange
`ment, structure, means, and/or the like that enables the con
`nection member 46 to connect the housing 26 and the reten
`tion plate 44 together. In the exemplary embodiment, the
`connection member 46 is an adhesive layer. Speci?cally, the
`connection member 46 includes a body 70 having a pair of
`opposite surfaces 72 and 74. Each of the surfaces 72 and 74
`includes any suitable adhesive thereon for adhering to the side
`portion 56 of the housing 26 and a side portion 76 of the
`retention plate 44, respectively, such as, but not limited to, a
`self-adhering and/or pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), and/
`or the like. Although in the exemplary embodiment the con
`nection member 46 is a separate component from both the
`housing 26 and the retention plate 44 (at least When not
`adhered thereto), alternatively the connection member 46
`may be one or more components of the housing 26 and/or the
`retention plate 44, such that the housing 26 and/or the reten
`tion plate 44 include the connection member 46. For example,
`the connection member 46 may be formed from, but is not
`limited to being formed from, one or more latching compo
`nents (not shoWn) of the housing 26 and/ or the retention plate
`44, one or more interlocking components (not shoWn) of the
`housing 26 and/or the retention plate 44, one or more snap-?t
`connection components (not shoWn) of the housing 26 and/or
`the retention plate 44, one or more interference-?t (stiction
`and/or friction) connection components (not shoWn) of the
`housing 26 and/or the retention plate 44, and/ or the like.
`The connector assembly 28 may optionally include an
`adhesive layer 78 that covers at least a portion of the housing
`26. Speci?cally, the adhesive layer 78 includes a pair of
`opposite surfaces 80 and 82. The surface 82 includes any
`suitable adhesive for adhering the adhesive layer 78 to the
`housing 26, such as, but not limited to, a self-adhering and/or
`pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), and/or the like. Option
`ally, the adhesive layer 78 may also cover and adhere to at
`least a portion of the side portion 34 of the electrode base 29
`to facilitate holding the housing 26 on the electrode 20 and/or
`to facilitate providing strain relief to the electrical lead 14.
`The adhesive layer 78 may optionally include indicia 84. The
`indicia 84 may indicate any information, such as, but not
`limited to, a location on the patient’s body Where the elec
`trode is desired to be placed and/or the like. In the exemplary
`embodiment, the adhesive layer 78 includes an optional open