Electrode Pad Packaging Systems and Methods

Abstract

An electrode pad packaging system including an electrode pouch, an electrode pad (e.g., a defibrillation electrode pad) and a sacrificial source of moisture (e.g., a gel or a solid hydrogel) is disclosed. The electrode pad and the sacrificial source of moisture are each disposed at least partially within the electrode pouch. A method of packaging an electrode pad is also disclosed. The method includes providing an electrode pouch, an electrode pad (e.g., a defibrillation electrode pad), and a sacrificial source of moisture configured to be placed at least partially within the electrode pouch. In an embodiment, the sacrificial source of moisture is configured to diffuse within the electrode pouch to help prevent conductive gel disposed on the electrode pad from becoming too dry.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An electrode pad packaging system comprising:
 an electrode pouch including:
 an upper portion and a lower portion with the upper and lower portions sealable together to form a generally gas-impermeable enclosure; 
 a first notch positioned to allow a user to open the generally gas-impermeable enclosure to expose contents of the electrode pouch; 
 an adhesive strip disposed between the upper and lower portions, wherein the pouch can be resealed by adhering the upper and lower portions using the adhesive strip; 
   an electrode pad disposed at least partially within the electrode pouch; and   an electrical connector electrically coupled to and extending from the electrode pad.   
     
     
         22 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 21  wherein the first notch is positioned to allow a user to tear at least one of the upper and lower portions along a first tear line to expose contents of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         23 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 22  wherein the adhesive strip is generally aligned with the first tear line. 
     
     
         24 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 21  wherein the electrode pouch includes a first score line extending from one edge of the electrode pouch proximate to the first notch to an opposite edge of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         25 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 21  wherein the electrode pouch includes a release liner disposed over the adhesive strip. 
     
     
         26 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 25  wherein the release liner is affixed to one of the upper and lower portions of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         27 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 21  wherein the electrode pouch includes a second notch positioned to allow a user to tear at least one of the upper and lower portions along a second tear line to expose contents of the pouch, wherein the adhesive strip is positioned substantially between the first and second tear lines. 
     
     
         28 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 27  wherein the electrode pouch includes a second score line extending from one edge of the electrode pouch proximate to the second notch to an opposite edge of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         29 . An electrode pad packaging system, comprising:
 an electrode pouch including:
 an upper portion having a first score line extending from a first edge of the electrode pouch to a second edge of the electrode pouch opposite the first edge; 
 a lower portion having a first score line generally aligned with the first score line of the top portion; and 
 an adhesive strip disposed between the upper and lower portions and generally aligned with the first score lines of the upper and lower portions; 
   an electrode pad disposed at least partially within the electrode pouch; and   an electrical connector extending from the electrode pad,   wherein the pouch can be torn along the score lines and resealed by adhering the upper and lower portions using the adhesive strip.   
     
     
         30 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 29  wherein the electrode pouch includes a first notch positioned along an edge of the electrode pouch proximate to the first score lines of the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         31 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 29  wherein the electrode pouch includes a release liner disposed over the adhesive strip. 
     
     
         32 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 31  wherein the release liner is affixed to one of the upper and lower portions of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         33 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 29  wherein the upper portion of the electrode pouch includes a second score line extending from the first edge of the electrode pouch to the second edge of the electrode pouch, wherein the lower portion of the electrode pouch includes a second score line generally aligned with the first score line of the top portion, and wherein the adhesive strip is positioned substantially between the first and second score lines of the upper portion and also between the first and second score lines of the lower portion. 
     
     
         34 . The electrode pad packaging system of  claim 33  wherein the electrode pouch includes a second notch positioned along an edge of the electrode pouch proximate to the second score lines of the upper and lower portions. 
     
     
         35 . A method of packaging an electrode pad comprising:
 providing an electrode pouch including:
 an upper portion and a lower portion with the upper and lower portions sealable together to form a generally gas-impermeable enclosure; 
 a first notch positioned to allow a user to open the generally gas-impermeable enclosure to expose the contents of the electrode pouch; 
 an adhesive strip disposed between the upper and lower portions, wherein the pouch can be resealed by adhering the upper and lower portions using the adhesive strip; 
   providing an electrode pad disposed at least partially within the electrode pouch; and   providing an electrical connector electrically coupled to and extending from the electrode pad.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  comprising providing an electrode pouch having a first score line extending from one edge of the electrode pouch proximate to the first notch to an opposite edge of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the adhesive strip is generally aligned with the first score line. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35  comprising providing a release liner disposed over the adhesive strip. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  comprising affixing the release liner to the upper portion of the electrode pouch. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35  comprising providing an electrode pouch having a second notch positioned to allow a user to tear at least one of the upper and lower portions along a second score line to expose contents of the pouch, wherein the adhesive strip is positioned substantially between the first and second score lines.