Defibrillation contact electrode with self test features

摘要

A skin contact electrode 3 suitable for use with a defibrillator comprises a test circuit so that the conductive condition of a skin contact gel layer of the electrode can be assessed. The electrode comprises a base layer having a conductive electrode layer and a gel skin contact layer on top. A protective conductive backing layer 2 is positioned on top of the skin contact layer. Preferably the electrode provides two contact areas 5, 9 so that while the backing layer is in place, the two contact areas are inter connected allowing a test circuit to measure the impedance of the electrode whilst packaged. The test circuit may be integrated with the electrode and positioned on the electrode itself or at the end of the electrode leads 6a 6b. Alternatively (See fig 3) the test circuit is connected between the electrode and an external electro-medical device, such as a defibrillator via connector (15). The backing layer may be released from the electrode by pulling a tab 4.