Flexible and/or tapered therapy electrode

Abstract

An electrode assembly includes a first surface to be placed adjacent a person's skin and a second surface including a plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel. The plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel are disposed on sections of the electrode assembly that are at least partially physically separated and may move at least partially independently of one another to conform to contours of a body of a patient. The electrode assembly is configured to dispense an amount of the electrically conductive gel onto the first surface in response to an activation signal and to provide for a defibrillating shock to be applied to the patient through the amount of the electrically conductive gel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable medical device comprising:
 one or more electrode assemblies, at least one of the one or more electrode assemblies configured to facilitate proper placement of an electrode into the wearable medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more electrode assemblies comprises a therapy electrode configured to deliver a defibrillating shock to a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrode assemblies comprises an ECG sensing electrode configured to monitor an ECG signal of a patient. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the wearable medical device comprises a pocket configured to receive the electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrode assemblies is disposed on a garment wearable on a torso of a patient. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrode assemblies comprises at least one feature to discourage insertion of the electrode into the wearable medical device in an incorrect direction. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the wearable medical device comprises at least one feature to discourage incorrect insertion of the electrode into the wearable medical device. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable medical device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one feature is a shape of a pocket of the wearable medical device. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the shape of the pocket conforms to a shape of the electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the pocket is tapered from a first end to a second end. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable medical device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one feature is a fastener having a first portion disposed in the wearable medical device and a complimentary portion disposed on the electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one feature is a snap. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one feature is a magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one feature is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         15 . A therapy electrode configured to be inserted into a pocket of a garment of a wearable medical device, the therapy electrode comprising:
 at least one feature discouraging incorrect insertion of the therapy electrode into the pocket.   
     
     
         16 . The therapy electrode of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one feature discourages insertion of the therapy electrode into a second pocket of the wearable medical device in an incorrect direction. 
     
     
         17 . The therapy electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one feature is a shape of the therapy electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The therapy electrode of  claim 17 , wherein the shape of the therapy electrode conforms to a shape of the pocket of the garment. 
     
     
         19 . The therapy electrode of  claim 17 , wherein the therapy electrode is tapered from a first end to a second end. 
     
     
         20 . The therapy electrode of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one feature is a fastener having a first portion disposed in the wearable medical device and a complimentary portion disposed on the therapy electrode. 
     
     
         21 . The therapy electrode of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one feature is a snap. 
     
     
         22 . The therapy electrode of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one feature is a magnet. 
     
     
         23 . The therapy electrode of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one feature is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         24 . A wearable medical device configured to receive an electrode, the wearable medical device comprising:
 a garment wearable on a torso of a patient; and   at least one feature formed in the garment discouraging insertion of the electrode into the garment in an incorrect direction.   
     
     
         25 . The wearable medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the garment comprises a pocket formed in the garment to receive the electrode, and the at least one feature is a shape of the pocket. 
     
     
         26 . The wearable medical device of  claim 25 , wherein the shape of the pocket conforms to a shape of the electrode. 
     
     
         27 . The wearable medical device of  claim 25 , wherein the pocket is tapered from a first end to a second end. 
     
     
         28 . The wearable medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one feature is a fastener having a first portion disposed in the wearable medical device and configured to couple with a complimentary portion disposed on the electrode.