Electrode package

Abstract

An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed has an envelope that includes a sheet of material and a releasable seal joining portions of the envelope to provide a sealed first compartment in which an electrode may be isolated from an external environment. The envelope includes a first wall that defines a first interior surface facing the interior of the sealed first compartment. The first interior surface includes an electrode mounting surface for direct attachment of an adhesive portion of an electrode. The envelope is releasably sealed so that, when the envelope is sealed, the first interior surface is isolated from an external environment and, when the envelope is unsealed, the first interior surface is not isolated from the external environment.

1. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a first adhesively-applied skin electrode,  
 an envelope comprising a sheet of material and adapted to open to a generally flat configuration, and  
 a releasable seal joining portions of said envelope to provide a sealed first compartment, said first electrode being positioned in said sealed first compartment and isolated from an external environment,  
 said package further comprising a first wall that defines a first interior surface facing the interior of said sealed first compartment, said first interior surface including a first electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of said first electrode, wherein said envelope may be opened to expose said first electrode to the external environment by releasing said releasable seal.  
 
     
     
       2. The electrode package of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a second adhesively-applied skin electrode positioned in said sealed first compartment and isolated from the external environment, and  
 a second wall that defines a second interior surface facing the interior of said sealed first compartment, said second interior surface including a second electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of said second electrode,  
 wherein said second electrode may be exposed to the external environment by releasing said releasable seal.  
 
     
     
       3. The electrode package of  claim 2 , wherein
 a first edge of said envelope comprises a fold in said sheet of material,  
 each of said first and second interior surfaces are located on opposite sides of said fold, and  
 said first edge, said first interior surface, said second interior surface, and said releasable seal are adapted to permit said envelope to be opened by breaking said releasable seal and folding back said envelope at said first edge.  
 
     
     
       4. The electrode package of  claim 3 , wherein said envelope further comprises a pair of tabs adapted to aid in breaking said releasable seal, said tabs being located opposite said first edge of said envelope. 
     
     
       5. The electrode package of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer for temporarily securing a wire lead of said first electrode to said first interior surface, said adhesive layer being located on said first interior surface. 
     
     
       6. The electrode package of  claim 1 , wherein said envelope further comprises:
 a second compartment for containing a connector of said first electrode, and  
 a barrier element between said first and second compartments, said barrier element providing an electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector of said first electrode.  
 
     
     
       7. The electrode package of  claim 6 , wherein said envelope is adapted to permit said second compartment to be opened without affecting said releasable seal. 
     
     
       8. The electrode package of  claim 6 , wherein said barrier element comprises a layer of material formed around a wire lead of said first electrode, the wire lead providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector of said first electrode. 
     
     
       9. The electrode package of  claim 6 , wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector of said first electrode, the body providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector of said first electrode. 
     
     
       10. The electrode package of  claim 1 , further comprising a first reinforcing layer located at said first electrode mounting surface, wherein said first wall is thicker at said first electrode mounting surface than at other regions of said first interior surface. 
     
     
       11. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a first adhesively-applied skin electrode,  
 a second adhesively-applied skin electrode,  
 an envelope comprising a sheet of material,  
 a releasable seal joining portions of said envelope to provide a sealed first compartment, said first electrode and said second electrode being positioned in said sealed first compartment and isolated from an external environment,  
 a first wall that defines a first interior surface facing the interior of said sealed first compartment, said first interior surface including a first electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of said first electrode,  
 a second wall that defines a second interior surface facing the interior of said sealed first compartment, said second interior surface including a second electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of said second electrode,  
 wherein said first and second interior surfaces face each other.  
 
     
     
       12. The electrode package of  claim 11 , wherein said first electrode and said second electrode may be exposed to the external environment by releasing said releasable seal, and wherein, when said releasable seal is released, said first and second electrode mounting surfaces both face upward and are approximately coplanar. 
     
     
       13. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a first adhesively-applied skin electrode,    a first compartment containing said first electrode,    a releasable seal adapted to seal said first compartment and maintain said first electrode in a sealed mode in which said first electrode is not exposed to an external environment,    a connector of said first electrode,    a second compartment outside of said first compartment and containing said connector of said first electrode, and    a barrier element positioned at said releasable seal and providing an electrically conductive path between the first electrode and the connector without exposing the first electrode to the external environment.    
     
     
       14. The electrode package of  claim 13 , An electrode package in which one or more adhesively- applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:  
   a first adhesively - applied skin electrode,    
   a first compartment containing said first electrode,    
   a releasable seal adapted to seal said first compartment and maintain said first electrode in a sealed mode in which said first electrode is not exposed to an external environment,    
   a connector of said first electrode,    
   a second compartment outside of said first compartment and containing said connector of said first electrode, and    
   a barrier element positioned at said releasable seal and providing an electrically conductive path between the first electrode and the connector without exposing the first electrode to the external environment,   
 wherein said barrier element comprises a layer of material formed around a wire lead of said first electrode, the wire lead providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector.  
 
     
     
       15. The electrode package of  claim 13 , wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector, the body providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector. 
     
     
       16. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a first adhesively-applied skin electrode,    a compartment containing said first electrode,    a releasable seal adapted to seal said compartment and maintain said first electrode in a sealed mode in which said first electrode is not exposed to an external environment,    a connector of said first electrode, the connector being exposed to the external environment, and    a barrier element positioned at releasable seal and providing an electrically conductive path between said first electrode and said connector of said first electrode without exposing the first electrode to the external environment.    
     
     
       17. The electrode package of  claim 16 , wherein said barrier element comprises a layer of material formed around a wire lead of said first electrode, the wire lead providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector. 
     
     
       18. The electrode package of  claim 17 , An electrode package in which one or more adhesively- applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:  
   a first adhesively - applied skin electrode,    
   a compartment containing said first electrode,    
   a releasable seal adapted to seal said compartment and maintain said first electrode in a sealed mode in which said first electrode is not exposed to an external environment,    
   a connector of said first electrode, the connector comprising at least one terminal adapted to make and break an electrical connection, and the connector being exposed to the external environment, and    
   a barrier element positioned at said releasable seal and providing an electrically conductive path between said first electrode and said connector of said first electrode without exposing the first electrode to the external environment,    
   wherein said barrier element comprises a layer of material formed around a wire lead of said first electrode, the wire lead providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector,    
 wherein the layer of material includes an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lower portion,  
 said barrier element being formed by heat sealing a first wall of the compartment to the arcuate upper portion, heat sealing a second wall of the compartment to the arcuate lower portion, and heat sealing the first and second walls to each other.  
 
     
     
       19. The electrode package of  claim 16 , wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector, the body providing the electrically conductive path between said first electrode and the connector. 
     
     
       20. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a compartment for maintaining a sized and configured to enclose a first said electrode and to maintain the first said electrode in either a sealed mode in which the first said electrode is not exposed to an external environment or an unsealed mode in which the first said electrode is exposed to the external environment, and  
 a barrier element between said compartment and the external environment, said barrier element providing an electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and a connector of the first said electrode that is located in the external environment,  
 wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector, the body providing the electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and the connector, and  
 wherein the body comprises a single piece of material and includes an integral hinge.  
 
     
     
       21. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a compartment for maintaining a sized and configured to enclose a first said electrode and to maintain the first said electrode in either a sealed mode in which the first said electrode is not exposed to an external environment or an unsealed mode in which the first said electrode is exposed to the external environment, and  
 a barrier element between said compartment and the external environment, said barrier element providing an electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and a connector of the first said electrode that is located in the external environment,  
 wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector, the body providing the electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and the connector, and  
 wherein the body includes a plurality of strain relief posts for relieving strain on a wire lead located between the first said electrode and the connector.  
 
     
     
       22. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively-applied skin electrodes may be sealed, said electrode package comprising:
 a compartment for maintaining a sized and configured to enclose a first said electrode and to maintain the first said electrode in either a sealed mode in which the first said electrode is not exposed to an external environment or an unsealed mode in which the first said electrode is exposed to the external environment, and  
 a barrier element between said compartment and the external environment, said barrier element providing an electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and a connector of the first said electrode that is located in the external environment,  
 wherein said barrier element comprises a body of the connector, the body providing the electrically conductive path between the first said electrode and the connector, and  
 wherein the body includes a first end located in the external environment, a second end located in said compartment, and a central section that comprises said barrier element and includes an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lower portion,  
 said barrier element being formed by heat sealing a first wall of the compartment to the arcuate upper portion, heat sealing a second wall of the compartment to the arcuate lower portion, and beat sealing the first and second walls to each other.  
 
     
     
       23. An electrode package in which one or more adhesively- applied skin electrodes may be sealed, the electrode package comprising:      an adhesively - applied skin electrode,        a wire lead extending from the electrode,        a compartment containing the electrode and wire lead and maintaining the electrode and wire lead in isolation from an external environment, and        a connector electrically connected to the electrode, the connector comprising at least one terminal and a connector body supporting the terminal,        the connector body comprising      a first end exposed to an interior of the compartment and in isolation from the external environment and        a second end isolated from the interior of the compartment when the compartment maintains the electrode in isolation from the external environment,          the terminal being nonunitary with the wire lead, and comprising      a first terminal end connected to the wire lead and        a second terminal end located at the second end of the connector body,          the connector providing an electrically conductive path to the electrode from the second terminal end outside the compartment when the compartment maintains the electrode in isolation from the external environment.     
     
     
       24. The electrode package of  claim 23 , further comprising a second adhesively- applied skin electrode positioned within the compartment, the compartment sized and configured to maintain the second electrode in isolation from the external environment, wherein:      the second electrode is removable from the compartment to expose the second electrode to the external environment.     
     
     
       25. The electrode package of  claim 23 , wherein the connector further comprises a second terminal with an end extending from the second end of the connector body, wherein an electrically conductive path is provided between the second electrode and the end of the second terminal when the compartment maintains the electrodes in isolation from the external environment. 
     
     
       26. The electrode package of  claim 23 , wherein the compartment comprises an envelope comprising a sheet of material that defines the compartment and is adapted to open to a generally flat configuration. 
     
     
       27. The electrode package of  claim 26 , wherein the envelope further comprises a seal joining portions of the envelope to define the compartment. 
     
     
       28. The electrode package of  claim 27 , wherein the seal comprises a releasable seal, the envelope being openable to expose the first electrode to the external environment by releasing the releasable seal. 
     
     
       29. The electrode package of  claim 26 , wherein the compartment comprises a first wall that defines a first interior surface facing the interior of the compartment, the first interior surface including a first electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of the electrode. 
     
     
       30. The electrode package of  claim 29 , further comprising:
   a second adhesively - applied skin electrode positioned in the compartment and isolated from the external environment, and        a second wall that defines a second interior surface facing the interior of the compartment, the second interior surface including a second electrode mounting surface attached to an adhesive portion of the second electrode.     
     
     
       31. The electrode package of  claim 30 , wherein
   each of the first and second interior surfaces are located on opposite sides of a first edge of the envelope, and        the first edge, the first interior surface, and the second interior surface are adapted to permit the envelope to be opened by folding back the envelope at the first edge.     
     
     
       32. The electrode package of  claim 31 , wherein the first edge of the envelope comprises a fold in the sheet of material. 
     
     
       33. The electrode package of  claim 31 , wherein the envelope further comprises a pair of tabs adapted to aid opening the envelope, the tabs being located opposite the first edge of the envelope. 
     
     
       34. The electrode package of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second interior surfaces face each other. 
     
     
       35. The electrode package of  claim 34 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode may be exposed to the external environment by opening the envelope, and wherein, when the envelope is opened, the first and second electrode mounting surfaces both face upward and are approximately coplanar. 
     
     
       36. The electrode package of  claim 29 , further comprising an adhesive layer for temporarily securing a wire lead of the electrode to the first interior surface, the adhesive layer being located on the first interior surface. 
     
     
       37. The electrode package of  claim 29 , further comprising a first reinforcing layer located at the first electrode mounting surface, wherein the first wall is thicker at the first electrode mounting surface than at other regions of the first interior surface. 
     
     
       38. The electrode package of  claim 23 , wherein the connector body comprises a single piece of material and includes an integral hinge. 
     
     
       39. The electrode package of  claim 23  wherein the connector body includes strain relief elements for relieving strain on the wire lead. 
     
     
       40. The electrode package of  claim 23 , wherein the connector body includes a central section between the first and second ends, the central section including an arcuate upper portion and an arcuate lower portion,
   wherein the electrode is isolated from the external environment and the connector is secured by sealing a first wall of the compartment to the arcuate upper portion of the central section, sealing a second wall of the compartment to the arcuate lower portion of the central section, and        sealing the first and second walls to each other.     
     
     
       41. The electrode package of  claim 40 , wherein a releasable seal is formed along the sealed connection of the first and second walls. 
     
     
       42. The electrode package of  claim 23 , wherein:
   the compartment includes a seal between a first wall of the compartment and a second wall of the compartment;        the connector body includes a central section between the first and second ends; and        the central section extends through the seal, with the first end of the connector body being located on a first side of the seal and a second end of the connector body being located on a second side of the seal.     
     
     
       43. The electrode package of  claim 42 , wherein:
   the central section of the connector body includes an upper portion and a lower portion;        the first wall of the compartment is secured to the upper portion of the connector body; and        the second wall of the compartment is secured to the lower portion of the connector body.     
     
     
       44. The electrode package of  claim 43 , wherein:
   the first wall of the compartment is secured to the upper portion of the connector body by heat sealing; and        the second wall of the compartment is secured to the lower portion of the connector body by heat sealing.     
     
     
       45. The electrode package of  claim 23  in combination with a defibrillator, wherein the adhesively- applied skin electrode comprises a defibrillation electrode and the connector and defibrillator are connected to provide an electrically conductive path between the defibrillator and the electrode while the compartment maintains the electrode in isolation from the external environment.   
     
     
       46. The electrode package of  claim 6  in combination with a defibrillator, wherein the first adhesively- applied skin electrode comprises a defibrillation electrode and the connector and defibrillator are connected to provide an electrically conductive path between the defibrillator and the electrode while the sealed first compartment maintains the electrode in isolation from the external environment.   
     
     
       47. The electrode package of  claim 14  in combination with a defibrillator, wherein the first adhesively- applied skin electrode comprises a defibrillation electrode and the connector and defibrillator are connected to provide an electrically conductive path between the defibrillator and the electrode while the releasable seal maintains the electrode in the sealed mode in isolation from the external environment.   
     
     
       48. The electrode package of  claim 18  in combination with a defibrillator, wherein the first adhesively- applied skin electrode comprises a defibrillation electrode and the connector and defibrillator are connected to provide an electrically conductive path between the defibrillator and the electrode while the releasable seal maintains the electrode in the sealed mode in isolation from the external environment.