Abstract: A retractor with a specialized blade head assembly. The blade head assembly has a central plate. The central plate extends between a first side edge and a second side edge. A first rotatable arm is attached to the first side edge with a first hinge joint. A second rotatable arm is attached to the second side edge with a second hinge joint. Both rotatable arms can be rotated about the hinge joints. Both the first hinge joint and the second hinge joint are friction hinges that require a threshold force to move. An elongated shaft interconnects with the central plate at a pivot joint. The elongated shaft can be attached to the blade head assembly after the blade head assembly has been inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: A defibrillation system having a paddle assembly with a paddle head and handle. The paddle head includes an enlarged support pad that is attached to the handle via a flexible neck. Both the enlarged support pad and the neck are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer and are highly flexible. A contact electrode is attached to the enlarged support pad. The contact electrode conducts electrical current to the heart. The contact electrode is thin and can deform with the enlarged support pad. The contact electrode receives electrical current through a conducive core element. The conductive core element extends through the handle and into the flexible paddle head, wherein the conductive core element is electrically coupled to the contact electrode via a terminal lead within the flexible paddle head.

Abstract: A retractor with a specialized blade head assembly. The blade head assembly has a central plate. The central plate extends between a first side edge and a second side edge. A first rotatable arm is attached to the first side edge with a first hinge joint. A second rotatable arm is attached to the second side edge with a second hinge joint. Both rotatable arms can be rotated about the hinge joints. Both the first hinge joint and the second hinge joint are friction hinges that require a threshold force to move. An elongated shaft interconnects with the central plate at a pivot joint. The elongated shaft can be attached to the blade head assembly after the blade head assembly has been inserted into a patient’s body.

Abstract: A clamping system having a clamp head, forceps, and a mechanical actuator. The clamp head has a first clamp or arm, a second clamp arm, a tubular neck, and a drive shaft that extends through the tubular neck. The first clamp arm is moved relative to the second clamp arm by selectively rotating the drive shaft. The forceps have a jaw section. The jaw section has a ring clamp that is sized to receive and retain the tubular neck on the clamp head. A mechanical actuator attaches to the forceps. The mechanical actuator has an elongated shaft that aligns with the drive shaft of the clamp head when the ring clamp is closed around the tubular neck of the clamp head. The alignment enables the mechanical actuator to engage the drive shaft and turn the drive shaft when the mechanical actuator is manipulated.

Abstract: A clip assembly for attaching an electrical lead to a medical electrode. The clip assembly has opposing jaws that can be selectively clipped onto a medical electrode. The jaws are opened and closed using handles. A receptacle is disposed in one handle for receiving the electrical lead. Within the receptacle, the electrical lead makes contact with a shaped conductor. The shaped conductor extends into a jaw and contacts the medical electrode. A clamp is integrated into the handle. The clamp is used to selectively press the electrical lead against the shaped conductor in the receptacle. The clamp can be manually tightened and loosened. As such, the electrical lead can be readily attached to, and disconnected from, the clip assembly as needed.

Abstract: An electrocardiogram lead package that contains low-cost printed constructs and the associated method of manufacture. The electrocardiogram lead package contains a first and second printed construct. The constructs include electrodes, lead hubs, and printed wire leads on a flexible substrate. The electrodes contain printed contact heads. The lead hubs contain printed contact pads. The printed wire leads contains printed conductive pathways. On the flexible substrate, the electrodes of the two constructs are linearly aligned and interposed. When separated from the electrocardiogram lead package, the first and second printed constructs provide all the electrodes and leads needed to perform an electrocardiogram. After one use, the printed constructs are discarded.

Abstract: A clip assembly for attaching an electrical lead to a medical electrode. The clip assembly has opposing jaws that can be selectively clipped onto a medical electrode. The jaws are opened and closed using handles. A receptacle is disposed in one handle for receiving the electrical lead. Within the receptacle, the electrical lead makes contact with a shaped conductor. The shaped conductor extends into a jaw and contacts the medical electrode. A clamp is integrated into the handle. The clamp is used to selectively press the electrical lead against the shaped conductor in the receptacle. The clamp can be manually tightened and loosened. As such, the electrical lead can be readily attached to, and disconnected from, the clip assembly as needed.

Abstract: A defibrillation system with a unique paddle assembly. The paddle assembly has a paddle head with a conductive surface. The paddle head is introduced into the chest through a small surgical incision. The paddle head is connected to a handle by an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has an electrically conductive core that is covered in a dielectric insulator. The elongated shaft is malleable. A pivot connection joins one end of the elongated shaft to the paddle head. The pivot connection enables the paddle head to move through a range of different orientations with respect to the elongated shaft. Electricity passes through the conductive core of the elongated shaft and into the paddle head.

Abstract: A flexible connector system for connecting a patient to a piece of medical monitoring equipment. The system has sensors that are applied to the body. A ribbon connector interconnects the sensors to a monitoring machine. The ribbon connector has a plurality of conductive leads printed upon a dielectric flexible substrate in a conductive ink. The ribbon connector has a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is solid and the section is divided into a plurality of strips. Each of the strips supports one of the conductive leads and terminates with one of said plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A conductive lead that connects a medical sensor or probe to a monitoring or analytical machine. The conductive lead is flexible, lightweight and can be manufactured at a very low cost. The conductive lead has a dielectric flexible substrate. Conductive ink is printed upon the flexible substrate. The conductive ink forms contact pads and connection lines on the flexible substrate. The connection lines electrically interconnect the various conductive pads. An insulation layer covers the connection lines The insulation layer can be dialectic ink that is printed atop the conductive ink. Peel-away protective covers are used to cover the contact pads. Any one of the contact pads can be exposed for use by removing the protective cover that covers it. The contact pads are used to electrically interconnect with both the sensor and the machine.

Abstract: A connector that is used to join a first modular barrier to a second modular barrier. The first modular barrier has a first frame element along one side with a first slot that extends along its length. Likewise, the second modular barrier has a second frame element along one side with a second slot that extends along its length. A flexible panel joins the two modular barriers together. The flexible panel has a first side edge and an opposite and parallel second side edge. The first side edge extends into the first slot of the first frame element and the second side edge extends into the second slot of the second frame element. The first side edge and the second side edge are enlarged and lock the first side edge and the second side edge into the first slot and the second slot, respectively.

Abstract: A defibrillation system with a unique paddle assembly. The paddle assembly has a paddle head with a conductive surface. The paddle head is introduced into the chest through a small surgical incision. The paddle head is connected to a handle by an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has an electrically conductive core that is covered in a dielectric insulator. The elongated shaft is malleable. A pivot connection joins one end of the elongated shaft to the paddle head. The pivot connection enables the paddle head to move through a range of different orientations with respect to the elongated shaft. Electricity passes through the conductive core of the elongated shaft and into the paddle head.

Abstract: A protective cover used to cover the head of a stethoscope and other items that contact the human body. The protective cover is made from a substrate film. The substrate film has opposing curved edges and opposing flat edges. Tab material is applied to the substrate film proximate the opposing curved edges. A coating of tacky adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate film between the tab material and between the opposing flat edges. The protective covers can be interconnected as a continuous chain, whereby separate protective covers are torn away along perforations. The chain can be wound onto a roll. The roll is held in a box for storage and dispensing. A slot is formed in the box through which individual protective covers can be removed from the roll.

Abstract: A conductive lead that connects a medical sensor or probe to a monitoring or analytical machine. The conductive lead is flexible, lightweight and can be manufactured at a very low cost. The conductive lead has a dielectric flexible substrate. Conductive ink is printed upon the flexible substrate. The conductive ink forms contact pads and connection lines on the flexible substrate. The connection lines electrically interconnect the various conductive pads. An insulation layer covers the connection lines The insulation layer can be dialectic ink that is printed atop the conductive ink. Peel-away protective covers are used to cover the contact pads. Any one of the contact pads can be exposed for use by removing the protective cover that covers it. The contact pads are used to electrically interconnect with both the sensor and the machine.

Abstract: A protective cover used to cover the head of a stethoscope and other items that contact the human body. The protective cover is made from a substrate film. The substrate film has opposing curved edges and opposing flat edges. Tab material is applied to the substrate film proximate the opposing curved edges. A coating of tacky adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate film between the tab material and between the opposing flat edges. The protective covers can be interconnected as a continuous chain, whereby separate protective covers are torn away along perforations. The chain can be wound onto a roll. The roll is held in a box for storage and dispensing. A slot is formed in the box through which individual protective covers can be removed from the roll.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly that utilizes a tubular shaft and a connection nub. A pivot joint connects one end of the tubular shaft to the connection nub. The pivot joint enables the connection nub to move relative the tubular shaft along a path that is coplanar to the axis of the tubular shaft. Together, the tubular shaft and the connection nub create an elongated element that can be introduced into a small incision. A retractor blade is provided. A bearing joint extends from the retractor blade. The retractor blade and bearing joint are introduced into a surgical site independent of the elongated element. Within the surgical site, the connection nub interconnects with the bearing joint, therein joining the retractor blade to the tubular shaft and a handle.

Abstract: A defibrillation system that utilizes a unique defibrillator paddle assembly. The defibrillator paddle assembly has a handle and a paddle head. The paddle head contains the conductive surface that is used to contact the muscle tissue of the heart during a defibrillation attempt. The paddle head is connected to the handle by a flexible connection. The flexible connection enables the relative orientation between the handle and the paddle head to be selectively adjusted. Accordingly, a physician can selectively change the orientation of the paddle head in relation to the handle in order to more effectively utilize the paddle assembly during a specific circumstance. The flexible connection between the handle and the paddle head can be adjusted either by manual bending or by utilizing adjustment controls that are present on the handle of the paddle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly that utilizes a tubular shaft and a connection nub. A pivot joint connects one end of the tubular shaft to the connection nub. The pivot joint enables the connection nub to move relative the tubular shaft along a path that is coplanar to the axis of the tubular shaft. Together, the tubular shaft and the connection nub create an elongated element that can be introduced into a small incision. A retractor blade is provided. A bearing joint extends from the retractor blade. The retractor blade and bearing joint are introduced into a surgical site independent of the elongated element. Within the surgical site, the connection nub interconnects with the bearing joint, therein joining the retractor blade to the tubular shaft and a handle.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a wire lead to a biomedical electrode. The connector assembly has a base housing. A metal conductor is disposed within the base housing. The metal conductor is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, wherein the metal conductor has a flat front section and a rear section that is curved into at least one spring structure. A lever is provided that has a front end and a tail end. A locking pawl extends from the lever and locks the snap connection in place. The locking pawl can be released by pressing inwardly on the sides of the base housing. When the sides of the base housing are pressed together, wedge elements advance under the lever and lift the front of the lever. The result is a release mechanism that applied only a minimal amount of lateral forces to the biomedical electrode.

Abstract: An electrode configuration and its method of manufacture. The electrode includes a pad of material having a first end, an opposite second end, a top surface and a conductive bottom surface. At least one fold line is provided in the pad of material between the first end and the second end. The pad of material is folded over along the fold lines to create a folded form. The folded form has a flap element that extends from one of the folds to the second end of the pad of material. The flap element enables a clip to attach to the pad of material without peeling the remainder of the pad of material from a person's skin.