Radiolucent ECG electrode system
Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead system suitable for use during imaging procedures such as, without limitation, CT scans or MRI and methods of use. In embodiments, the system includes an ECG electrode connector formed from radiolucent materials to enhance performance during imaging procedures by reducing or eliminating shadows on imaging media. In some embodiments, the disclosed connector includes a housing having an opening configured to operably receive an electrode post of an ECG electrode pad, an electrode member having a generally semicircular contact face disposed along at least a part of the perimeter of the opening, and an engagement member having an actuation surface and an engaging face pivotable about a pivot to enable engaging face to move from a first position whereby the engaging face is closer to the contact face and a second position whereby the engaging face is further from the contact face.
1. An electrocardiogram (ECG) lead system, comprising:
a lead extension assembly that includes a first lead wire configured to be electrically coupled to an ECG monitor;
a lead connector assembly that includes a second lead wire configured to be electrically coupled to the first lead wire; and
an ECG connector assembly that comprises:
a connector electrode that is disposed along at least part of a perimeter of an aperture of a housing and that is electrically coupled to the second lead wire; and
an engagement member that comprises a resilient radiused member and that is coupled to a pivot within a cavity of the housing and that is arranged to rotate about the pivot under force imparted by the resilient radiused member, the engagement member being configured to electrically couple the connector electrode with a patient electrode when the patient electrode is inserted within the aperture.
2. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the first lead wire comprises tinned copper wire.
3. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the second lead wire comprises radiolucent conductor wire.
4. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein each one of the first lead wire and the second lead wire is formed from a conductive material selected from: conductive polymer; conductive carbon; conductive ink.
5. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the connector electrode includes a contact face that extends into the aperture of the housing.
6. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the second lead wire comprises at least one carbon fiber.
7. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the connector electrode is formed from a radiolucent conductive material.
8. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , further comprising a first lead set connector, a second lead set connector and a device connector;
wherein a first end of the first lead wire terminates at the first lead set connector and a second end of the first lead wire terminates at the device connector, and a first end of the second lead wire terminates at the second lead set connector, and wherein the first lead set connector and the second lead set connector are configured to mate with each other and the device connector is configured to mate with the ECG monitor or an adaptor configured to mate with the ECG monitor.
9. The ECG lead system of claim 1 , wherein the lead connector assembly is configured as a ribbon-cable comprising a plurality of second lead wires, each one of the second lead wires being separable from an adjacent second lead wire along a particular length of the ribbon cable.
10. An electrocardiogram (ECG) connector assembly, comprising:
a housing defining an aperture that extends therethrough to a cavity of the housing;
a conductor that terminates at an electrode disposed along at least part of a perimeter of the aperture and that is configured to electrically couple the electrode to an ECG monitor; and
an engagement member that comprises a resilient radiused member and that is positioned within the cavity and configured to rotate about a pivot under force imparted by the resilient radiused member.
11. The ECG connector assembly of claim 10 , wherein the housing is formed of a radiolucent non-conductive material.
12. The ECG connector assembly of claim 10 , wherein the conductor is formed of a radiolucent conductive material.
13. The ECG connector assembly of claim 10 , wherein the engagement member is formed of a radiolucent non-conductive material.
14. The ECG connector assembly of claim 13 , wherein the radiused member is integral with the engagement member and is formed of the radiolucent non-conductive material.
15. A electrocardiogram (ECG) connector, comprising:
a housing defining an aperture that extends therethrough to a cavity of the housing;
a connector electrode that is disposed along at least part of a perimeter of the aperture;
a conductor that terminates at the connector electrode and that is configured to establish an electrical connection between the connector electrode and an ECG monitor; and
an engagement member that includes a resilient radiused member and that is configured to rotate about a pivot within the cavity under force imparted by the resilient radiused member to couple the connector electrode to a patient electrode and secure the patient electrode within the aperture when positioned thereto.
16. The ECG connector of claim 15 , wherein the connector electrode is mounted to surface of the cavity and extends partially into the aperture.
17. The ECG connector of claim 15 , wherein the conductor is fused to a surface that defines the cavity of the housing.
18. The ECG connector of claim 15 , wherein the resilient radiused member extends through a slot in the housing.
19. The ECG connector of claim 15 , wherein the engagement member includes a textured surface for gripping.
20. The ECG connector of claim 15 , wherein the resilient radiused member is terminated at an end by a surface that is configured to interact with a bearing surface within the cavity to mechanically load the resilient radiused member and impart the force on the engagement member.