Vital signs monitoring assembly having elastomeric connectors
An assembly for monitoring a vital sign comprising a flat circuit having connectors for attachment to patient mounted electrodes and a connector for attachment to a vital signs monitor in which the connectors for attaching to the patient mounted electrodes are made from a non-conductive, non-metallic elastomeric material.
1 . A connector for coupling electrodes and sensors to electrical conductors, comprising:
a base layer having a first side and a second side, the first side attached to at least one electrically conductive element;
at least one aperture formed in said base layer and in said electrically conductive element for receiving a conductive male portion of the electrode or sensor; and,
an elastomeric housing member disposed adjacent said aperture, said elastomeric member including a female void adapted to securely receive the male portion of the electrode or sensor.
2 . The connector of claim 1 wherein said female void is adapted to removably receive the male portion of the electrode or sensor.
3 . The connector of claim 1 wherein said connector is substantially radiolucent.
4 . The connector of claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture includes at least one flap for engaging and securing the conductive male portion of the electrode or sensor disposed through said aperture.
5 . The connector of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric member defines a female void that is closed on one end.
6 . The connector of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric member is color coded to correspond to its mating electrode or sensor.
7 . A connector for coupling electrodes and sensors to electrical conductors, comprising:
a base layer having a first side and a second side, the first side attached to at least one electrically conductive element;
at least one aperture formed in said base layer and in said electrically conductive element for receiving a conductive male portion of the electrode or sensor; and,
an elastomeric housing member disposed adjacent said aperture, said elastomeric member being o-shaped and designed to securely receive the male portion of the electrode or sensor,
8 . The connector of claim 7 wherein said connector is substantially radiolucent.
9 . The connector of claim 7 wherein said at least one aperture includes a flap for engaging and securing the conductive male portion of the electrode or sensor disposed through said aperture.
10 . The connector of claim 7 wherein the aperture comprises at least one slit defining at least one flap.
11 . The connector of claim 7 wherein the aperture comprises a plurality of flaps.
12 . The connector of claim 7 wherein the aperture is a hole.
13 . The connector of claim 7 wherein the elastomeric member is color coded to correspond to its mating electrode or sensor.
14 . The connector of claim 7 wherein the elastomeric member loses its resiliency with multiple uses.
15 . The connector of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric member loses its resiliency with multiple uses.