Disposable Internal Defibrillation Electrodes

Abstract

A disposable electrode paddle assembly is provided and includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle assembly supported at the proximal end of the shaft; a spoon supported at the distal end of the shaft; an electrical conductor extending from the handle assembly and establishing an electrical connection at the spoon; and an electrode assembly selectively, electrically connectable to the electrical connection provided at the spoon; wherein the electrode assembly includes a layer of silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) having one of an increasing and decreasing density extending in a radially outward direction.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A disposable electrode paddle assembly, comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   a handle assembly supported at the proximal end of the shaft;   a spoon supported at the distal end of the shaft;   an electrode assembly selectively, electrically connectable to an electric connection provided at the spoon; the electrode assembly comprising:
 a lead wire having a first end and a second end; 
 a first substrate comprising an electrically insulated material; 
 a second substrate comprising a conductive material; 
 a third substrate comprising a carbon/vinyl film; 
 a fourth substrate comprising a conductive hydrogel; and 
 a single layer of silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) interposed between adjacent substrates, the layer of silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) having one of an increasing or a decreasing density extending in a radially outward direction, the silver/silver-chloride layer (Ag/AgCl) being in direct contact with the first end of the lead wire; and 
   an electrical conductor extending from the handle assembly and establishing an electrical connection with the second end of the lead wire at the spoon.   
     
     
         34 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the electrically insulated material is X-ray transparent material. 
     
     
         35 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the layer of the silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. 
     
     
         36 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the third substrate comprises a flexible sheet of graphite filled polyvinyl chloride film having a thickness from about 2 mils to about 4 mils. 
     
     
         37 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) layer is composed of about 50% silver (Ag) and 50% chloride (Cl). 
     
     
         38 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) layer is composed of about 83% silver (Ag) and 17% chloride (Cl). 
     
     
         39 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) layer has a thickness of less than 10 microns. 
     
     
         40 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 33  wherein the silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) layer having a first area and a second area, and
 wherein the first area has a first density and the second area has second density greater than the first density and being disposed one of radially inward of the first area or radially outward of the first area. 
 
     
     
         41 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 40  wherein the second area is substantially centrally located within an outer diameter of the electrode assembly. 
     
     
         42 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 40  wherein the first area is substantially circular. 
     
     
         43 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 40  wherein the second area is spaced a radial distance inward from an outer edge of the electrode. 
     
     
         44 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 40  wherein the first area has a higher impedance than the second area. 
     
     
         45 . The disposable electrode paddle assembly of  claim 40  wherein the second area has a higher impedance than the first area.