Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a skin surface, and methods for operating and manufacturing such an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support housing having an engaging surface to engage the skin surface. The support housing can include a first guide extending axially away from the engaging surface and a second guide extending transverse to the first guide. The apparatus can further include a probe coupled to a guide member with the guide member sequentially engaged with the first guide and the second guide to move in a first direction toward and away from the engaging surface without simultaneously moving in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Accordingly, a practitioner can reposition the probe from one location to the other (for example, by orbiting the probe relative to a central axis of the support body, or by translating the probe linearly relative to the support body) without moving the housing relative to the skin surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting couplers for therapy administration and/or monitoring. The apparatus can include a support member configured to rest on a body of a recipient proximate to a coupling area. The support member can include a first coupler location configured to removably carry a first coupler proximate to a first coupling position of the body of the recipient. A second coupler location of the support member is configured to removably carry a second coupler proximate to a second coupling position of the body of the recipient. The first and second coupler locations can be arranged to guide the practitioner to connect the couplers properly to the body. For example, the first coupler location can be positioned closer than the second coupler location to the first coupling position. Accordingly, practitioners can be more likely to connect the first and second couplers to the correct coupling position on the body of the recipient.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a skin surface, and methods for operating and manufacturing such an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support housing having an engaging surface to engage the skin surface. A releasable attachment member can releasably secure the housing to the skin surface, for example, with an adhesive bond. A stop member can operatively engage a percutaneous probe of the apparatus to at least restrict the ability of the probe to be re-used.

Abstract: The invention is a percutaneous electrical therapy system with sharp point protection. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode assembly adapted to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, where the electrode assembly has an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient's tissue; and a sharp point protection assembly operable with the electrode assembly for reducing risk of unintended exposure to the electrode's point. The invention also includes an electrode assembly and sharp point protection assembly for a percutaneous electrical therapy system as described above, apart from the control unit.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for storing one or more electrode pads such as a defibrillator electrode pad. The cartridge includes a housing having a rigid portion, a storage space disposed within the housing, and a storage-space opening that allows one to remove/insert the electrode pad or pads from/into the storage space. Because it has a housing with a rigid portion, such a cartridge can better protect one or more electrode pads from handling damage. Furthermore, one can construct the cartridge such that it is attachable to a medical device such as an AED. This allows an operator to carry or store the medical device, cartridge, and one or more electrode pads as a single unit. In addition, one can construct the cartridge such that the one or more electrode pads can be pre-connected to the medical device. This can eliminate connecting the one or more electrode pads to the medical device during an emergency.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a skin surface, and methods for operating and manufacturing such an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support housing having an engaging surface to engage the skin surface. A releasable attachment member can releasably secure the housing to the skin surface, for example, with an adhesive bond. A stop member can operatively engage a percutaneous probe of the apparatus to at least restrict the ability of the probe to be re-used.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrical therapy system with electrode angle of entry control, wherein the system includes a control unit; an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue; and an electrode angle of insertion assembly controlling the electrode's angle of entry into the patient's tissue. The invention also includes the percutaneous electrode and electrode angle of insertion assembly described above apart from the control unit. The invention is also a method of performing percutaneous electrical therapy including the steps of: aligning an electrode assembly housing with a patient's tissue; inserting a sharp point of an electrode into the patient's tissue, the housing supporting the electrode during insertion to control the electrode's angle of insertion; and applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a skin surface, and methods for operating and manufacturing such an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support housing having an engaging surface to engage the skin surface. The support housing can include a first guide extending axially away from the engaging surface and a second guide extending transverse to the first guide. The apparatus can further include a probe coupled to a guide member with the guide member sequentially engaged with the first guide and the second guide to move in a first direction toward and away from the engaging surface without simultaneously moving in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Accordingly, a practitioner can reposition the probe from one location to the other (for example, by orbiting the probe relative to a central axis of the support body, or by translating the probe linearly relative to the support body) without moving the housing relative to the skin surface.

Abstract: The invention is a percutaneous electrical therapy system providing electrode axial stability during electrode insertion. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue; and an electrode insertion axial supporter adapted to provide axial support to the electrode during insertion of the electrode into the patient's tissue. The invention also includes an electrode and an electrode insertion axial supporter apart from the control unit.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrode introducer, such as for use with a percutaneous electrical therapy system. In a preferred embodiment, the percutaneous electrode introducer includes a housing adapted to be held in a user's hand, the housing having an aperture at a distal end; an electrode disposed in the housing, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end; and an actuator adapted to be operable by a user to move the electrode through the aperture and completely out of the housing to place the sharp point of the electrode beneath a patient's skin.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling percutaneous electrical signals. In one embodiment, the method can include a computer-implemented method for displaying characteristics of an electrical therapy signal, which can include receiving a first value for a characteristic of an electrical therapy signal and directing transmission of a first electrical therapy signal with the first value. The method can further include directing a digital display device to display a first graph representing the first value, receiving a second value for the characteristic, directing transmission of a second electrical therapy signal with the second value, and directing the digital display device to display a second graph concurrent with a display of the first graph. The apparatus can simultaneously control signal levels directed to multiple channels, and can automatically set the signal levels to zero when a therapy session is ended or paused.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrical therapy system with electrode angle of entry control. In one embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode assembly adapted to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, the electrode assembly including an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue; and an electrode depth control assembly adapted to control insertion of the electrode's point to a predetermined depth into the patient's tissue. The electrode depth control assembly can have a limit stop limiting length of travel of the electrode's point. The system can also include the percutaneous electrode and depth control assembly described above apart from the control unit.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a percutaneous electrode remover includes a housing adapted to be held in a user's hand, the housing having an aperture at a distal end; and an actuator operable by a user to move a precutaneously inserted electrode through the aperture and completely into the housing.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrical therapy system includes sharp point protection. In one embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode assembly adapted to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, where the electrode assembly has an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient's tissue; and a sharp point protection assembly operable with the electrode assembly for reducing the risk of unintended exposure to the electrode's point. The system can also include an electrode assembly and sharp point protection assembly for a percutaneous electrical therapy system, as described above, apart from the control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a skin surface, and methods for operating and manufacturing such an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support housing having an engaging surface to engage the skin surface. The support housing can include a first guide extending axially away from the engaging surface and a second guide extending transverse to the first guide. The apparatus can further include a probe coupled to a guide member with the guide member sequentially engaged with the first guide and the second guide to move in a first direction toward and away from the engaging surface without simultaneously moving in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Accordingly, a practitioner can reposition the probe from one location to the other (for example, by orbiting the probe relative to a central axis of the support body, or by translating the probe linearly relative to the support body) without moving the housing relative to the skin surface.

Abstract: The invention is a percutaneous electrode assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on a patient; an electrode disposed in the housing, the electrode having an sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue; an electrode actuator disposed in the housing and adapted to move the sharp point of the electrode out of the housing; and an electrode electrical connector adapted to electrically connect the electrode to a control unit to deliver electrical therapy to a patient. The invention is also a method of inserting a percutaneous electrode into a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the following steps: placing a housing on a patient; and moving at least part of an electrode out of the housing and into the patient and connecting the electrode electrically with a control unit cable, the moving and connecting steps being performed with a single user motion.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a percutaneous electrical therapy system includes a control unit; an electrode electrically connected to the control unit to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, the electrode comprising a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue at an electrode insertion point; and an electrode insertion pain reducer adapted to reduce pain experienced by the patient during insertion of the electrode into the patient's tissue. Both the electrode and electrode insertion pain reducer may be located apart from the control unit.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrical therapy system with electrode position maintenance. In one embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient's tissue; and an inserted electrode holding mechanism adapted to hold the electrode in place after insertion of the sharp point of the electrode into the patient's tissue. In another embodiment, a method of providing electrical therapy can include inserting an electrode into a patient; using an inserted electrode holding mechanism to hold the inserted electrode in place in the patient; and applying an electrical signal to the electrode from a control unit.