Abstract:
Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the disclosed connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The disclosed connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/012,825, filed Dec. 11, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to biomedical electrodes, and in particular, to a biomedical electrode connector for attaching a lead wire to an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placed on a patient&#39;s body. 
         [0004]    2. Background of Related Art 
         [0005]    Electrocardiograph (ECG) monitors are widely used to obtain medical (i.e. biopotential) signals containing information indicative of the electrical activity associated with the heart and pulmonary system. To obtain medical signals, ECG electrodes are applied to the skin of a patient in various locations. The electrodes, after being positioned on the patient, connect to an ECG monitor by a set of ECG lead wires. The distal end of the ECG lead wire, or portion closest to the patient, may include a connector which is adapted to operably connect to the electrode to receive medical signals from the body. The proximal end of the ECG lead set is operably coupled to the ECG monitor and supplies the medical signals received from the body to the ECG monitor. 
         [0006]    A typical ECG electrode assembly may include an electrically conductive layer and a backing layer, the assembly having a patient contact side and a connector side. The contact side of the electrode pad may include biocompatible conductive gel or adhesive for affixing the electrode to a patient&#39;s body for facilitating an appropriate electrical connection between a patient&#39;s body and the electrode assembly. The connector side of the pad may incorporate a metallic press stud having a bulbous profile for coupling the electrode pad to the ECG lead wire. In use, the clinician removes a protective covering from the electrode side to expose the gel or adhesive, affixes the electrode pad to the patient&#39;s body, and attaches the appropriate ECG lead wire connector to the press stud by pressing or “snapping” the lead wire connector onto the bulbous press stud to achieve mechanical and electrical coupling of the electrode and lead wire. After use, a clinician then removes the ECG lead wire connector from the pad by pulling or “unsnapping” the connector from the pad. 
         [0007]    The described ECG lead wire connector may have drawbacks. A clinician must apply considerable downward force on the lead wire connector to achieve positive engagement of the connector to the press stud. This high connecting force may cause additional and unnecessary discomfort or pain to the patient, whose existing medical condition may already be a source of discomfort or pain. A patient&#39;s discomfort may be compounded by the need to connect multiple electrodes which are customarily employed during ECG procedures. 
         [0008]    Upon completion of the ECG procedure, a clinician must unsnap the ECG lead wire connector from the pad, which may further cause discomfort to the patient. In some instances, the connector does not readily disengage from the press stud thus requiring the clinician to use considerable upward force to unseat the connector. Often, these attempts to decouple the ECG lead wire connector from the electrode press stud will instead cause the pad to be suddenly and painfully torn from the patient&#39;s skin In other instances, attempts to detach the ECG lead wire will cause the pad to become partially dislodged from the patient, which may impair the electrode&#39;s ability to receive biopotential signals. This is undesirable when, for example, the clinician wishes to detach the lead wires temporarily yet wishes to leave the pads in place to perform ECG testing on the patient at a future time. 
         [0009]    In yet other instances, a snap lock connector may engage the press stud with insufficient force, which may cause suboptimal signal transmission from the electrode to the lead wire, as well as allowing the connector to be disengaged inadvertently by, for example, a slight tug on the lead wire. These effects are undesirable, because they may invalidate the ECG procedure, requiring time-consuming re-testing of the patient, or may lead to delayed, inaccurate or unreliable test results. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the process of snapping and unsnapping lead wire connectors from ECG pads, while simultaneously striving to avoid the above-mentioned adverse effects, requires considerable manual dexterity on the part of the ECG clinician. Since clinicians typically repeat the electrode connection/disconnection routine many times each day, the described drawbacks may lead to clinician discontentment and fatigue. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In an embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an ECG lead wire connector which includes a housing and a thumb cam lever having an open and a closed position. In the open position, the press stud of an ECG electrode assembly may be inserted into a mating receptacle provided in the housing, optionally using insignificant or no insertion force. Once placed in position, the thumb cam lever may be moved to the closed position, thereby positively coupling the press stud and connector without imparting undesirable force to the ECG electrode pad or to the patient. Detents may be provided by the disclosed lever to provide positive locking of the connector in the closed position to achieve optimal electrical coupling between the press stud and the connector, and additionally to provide tactile feedback to the clinician that the thumb cam lever is properly locked. 
         [0012]    The connector may include a spring member which biases the thumb cam lever in the direction of the open position when the lever is unlocked. The spring member is configured to operably engage the narrow “waist” portion of the bulbous press stud when the thumb cam lever is in the closed position. When the thumb cam lever is in the closed position, the spring member biases the press stud against a mating electrical contact member provided within the connector housing to electrically couple the press stud and the contact member, and to achieve positive mechanical coupling of the press stud and the connector housing. The electrical contact member is operably coupled to the distal end of a lead wire by any suitable means, such as soldering, crimping, welding, or wire bonding. The proximal end of the lead wire may terminate in any suitable manner, such as to a connector, for operably coupling the lead wire to an ECG monitor. The lead wire may be supported at its exit point from the housing by a strain relief. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, an ECG lead wire connector is provided which includes a housing, and a pushbutton having an external face and an internal engaging surface. The pushbutton is biased by a spring member toward a locked position when released (i.e., when no pressure is applied to the pushbutton), and having an unlocked position when depressed (i.e., when sufficient pressure is applied to the face of the pushbutton by, for example, a clinician). A receptacle adapted to accept an electrode pad press stud is provided within the connector housing. When the pushbutton is depressed, the engaging surface thereof is configured to allow the insertion of a press stud into the receptacle, optionally using insignificant or no insertion force. Once the press stud is inserted, the pushbutton may be released, which causes the spring member to bias the engaging surface of the pushbutton against the press stud, engaging the press stud and a mating electrical contact member provided within the connector housing, to electrically couple the press stud and the contact member, and to achieve positive mechanical coupling of the press stud and the connector housing. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment envisioned within the scope of the present disclosure, the pushbutton face may be positioned at the distal end of the connector housing. The spring member may be a coil spring positioned between the proximal end of the pushbutton and a corresponding saddle provided within the connector housing. The engaging surface is defined by an opening provided within the central portion of the pushbutton. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment contemplated by the present disclosure, the pushbutton is a pivoting lever having at one end an external face positioned at the central region of the connector housing, and at the opposite end an engaging surface for engaging the press stud. The spring member may be a leaf spring positioned at the face end of the lever, between the housing and the lever, such that the lever face end is biased outwardly from the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the leaf spring may be positioned at the clamping end of the lever. 
         [0016]    In the various embodiments, it is envisioned the electrical contact member provides a contact opening to receive the press stud. The opening may have narrow end and a wide end. For example, the opening may have an ovoid shape exhibiting one axis of symmetry (“egg-shaped”). Alternatively, the contact opening may be pear-shaped, keyhole-shaped, circular, or described by the intersection of two partially-coincident circles of differing radii. The opening may be dimensioned at its wide end to accept the bulbous press stud, optionally with insignificant or no interference. Conversely, the narrow end of the opening may be dimensioned to capture the narrow waist portion of the press stud. The contact opening may be configured such that, when engaged, the press stud is biased and/or clamped against the narrow end of the contact opening. 
         [0017]    It should be understood that the spring members disclosed herein are not limited to coil and/or leaf springs, and may include any suitable source of biasing force, including without limitation gas springs, pressure- or vacuum-actuated devices, elastomeric springs, magnetic or electromagnetic devices, shape memory alloy motors, and other sources of biasing force as will be familiar to the skilled practitioner. Additionally or alternatively, the spring members may be integrally formed with, for example, the housing, lever, or pushbutton. 
         [0018]    Other embodiments are envisioned within the present disclosure, such as an ECG lead wire connector having a plurality of pushbuttons, for example, that are disposed on opposite sides of the housing, wherein at least one button is operable to engage and disengage the press stud of an ECG pad. 
         [0019]    Alternative modalities of press stud engagement are envisioned wherein, for example, the pushbutton operates in a push-on/push off fashion. In this arrangement, the connector is initially provided in an open or unlocked configuration. The press stud may then be inserted into the receptacle, optionally with insignificant or no insertion force. Once in place, the press stud may be engaged by pressing the pushbutton in a first push-on step. To disengage the press stud, the pushbutton is depressed a second time to release the press stud in a second push-off step and to reset the connector to the initial state, thereby readying the connector for subsequent use. In another modality of press stud engagement, the connector includes a source of biasing force, such as a spring member, that is configured to automatically engage a press stud upon detection of a triggering event, such as the insertion of a press stud into the connector. To disengage the press stud, a release control, such as a pushbutton or lever, is provided such that when said release control is actuated (i.e., pressed or moved), the press stud is released and/or ejected from the housing. It is further contemplated that actuating the release control resets the connector to the initial state, thereby readying the connector for subsequent use. Still other modalities of disengagement are contemplated where, for example, the press stud may be disengaged by pushing, pulling, twisting or otherwise moving the connector housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Various embodiments of the presently disclosed ECG electrode connector are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having a thumb cam lever in an open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates the ECG connector of  FIG. 1  having a thumb cam lever in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3D  is a side cutaway view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3E  is an oblique view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having a pushbutton in a released position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates the ECG connector of  FIG. 4  having a pushbutton in a depressed position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of the  FIG. 4  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 4  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6C  is a side cutaway view of the  FIG. 4  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector having a pushbutton in a released position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6D  is a side cutaway view of the  FIG. 4  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector having a pushbutton in a depressed position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having a pivoting lever pushbutton in a released position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates the ECG connector of  FIG. 7  having a pivoting lever pushbutton in a depressed position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9B  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9D  is an oblique view of the  FIG. 7  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10A  is an exemplary side detail view of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure disengaged from a press stud of an ECG pad; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10B  is an exemplary side detail view of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure engaging a press stud of an ECG pad; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11A  is a schematic diagram of still another embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having a thumb cam lever in a closed position; 
           [0043]      FIG. 11B  illustrates the ECG connector of  FIG. 11A  having a thumb cam lever in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0044]      FIG. 12A  is an exploded view of a yet another embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0045]      FIG. 12B  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12C  is an oblique view of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0047]      FIG. 13A  is a schematic diagram of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13B  is a top view of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0049]      FIG. 13C  is a side view of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 13D  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 12A  embodiment of an ECG electrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]    Embodiments of the presently disclosed ECG electrode connector and method are described herein in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As shown in the drawings and as described throughout the following description, and as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is closer to the monitor and the term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is further from the monitor. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 A, there is shown an embodiment of an ECG electrode connector  100  having a thumb cam lever  110 . The connector  100  includes a housing  105  that includes a cavity  106 , a pivot pin  115 , and a thumb cam lever  110  having a pivot hole  116  defined therein dimensioned to pivotably couple thumb cam lever  110  to pivot pin  115 . Connector  100  may also include a cover  305  which optionally includes an identification marking  310  which may be incorporated with cover  305  by any suitable means, including without limitation printing, engraving, silk screening, stamping, or integrally molding said marking  310  onto cover  305 . The housing  105 , lever  110  and cover  305  may be constructed of any suitable non-conductive material, including without limitation any thermoplastic and/or elastomeric polymer such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic vulcanates (TPV), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and/or fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). 
         [0053]    A V-spring  120  having a coil base  130 , a fixed leg  131  and a movable leg  132  is coupled to housing  110  within cavity  106 . Coil base  130  of V-spring  120  may be multi-turn, single-turn, or a V-shaped apex without a coil. V-spring  120  is retained at its base by pin  117  and is joined to housing  105  at its fixed end by saddle  125  such that movable leg  132  is biased in a distal direction, i.e., towards pivot pin  115 . Additionally or alternatively, V-spring  120  may be joined to saddle  125  or cavity  106  by any suitable manner of bonding, such as by adhesive or heat welding. A stop  135  limits the outward flexure of movable leg  132 . Thumb cam lever  110  includes a cam  102  which communicates with a detent  140  of spring member  120  when thumb cam lever  120  moves to a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Detent  140  and cam  102  cooperate to lock thumb cam lever  110  in a closed position, and additionally or alternatively, provide tactile feedback to a clinician. Additional locking and tactile feedback may be provided by the engagement of a lever detent  160  with a corresponding dimple (not shown) provided on thumb cam lever  110 . A lever recess  180  may be provided by housing  105  to receive lever  110  when lever  110  is in the closed position. A finger recess  165  is provided on housing  105  to facilitate manipulation and/or grasping of thumb cam lever  110  by the clinician. 
         [0054]    Connector  100  further includes an electrical contact member  155  which is disposed upon cavity  106 . Contact member  155  may be constructed from any suitable electrically conductive material, including without limitation stainless steel or low-carbon steel. It is also envisioned contact member  155  may be constructed of a non-conductive material having a conductive coating. Contact member  155  is electrically coupled to a lead wire  175  by any suitable manner of connection, such as a crimp  156 , or additionally or alternatively, soldering or wire bonding. Lead wire  175  may optionally be supported at its exit point from housing  105  by a strain relief  170 . Contact member  155  provides a contact opening  145  defined therein to accept an electrical contact, such as a bulbous press stud of an ECG pad. In the embodiment, the contact opening  145  may be asymmetrical in shape, such as, for example, an ovoid shape dimensioned at its wide end  151  to accept the bulbous press stud, and dimensioned at its narrow end  150  to capture the narrow waist portion of the press stud. Referring now to  FIGS. 3B ,  3 D,  10 A and  10 B, the bottom surface  330  of housing  105  provides an aperture  320  disposed therein which exposes contact opening  145  to the exterior of connector  100  to facilitate insertion of a press stud into the connector. 
         [0055]    Engaging a press stud into connector  100  may be accomplished by positioning lever  110  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 1 , whereupon cam  102  rotates away from detent  140 , permitting movable leg  132  of V-spring  120  to flex distally and come to rest upon stop  135 . A press stud may then be introduced into connector  100  by, for example, placing connector  100  over a press stud such that the bulbous end press stud is positioned within opening  145 , as shown in  FIG. 10A . Subsequent to insertion of the press stud, lever  110  may then be moved to the closed position as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , causing cam  102  to rotate towards moveable leg  132  of V-spring  120 . The rotation of cam  102  causes it to ride over detent  140  thereby compressing movable leg  132  in a proximal direction, which mechanically engages and electrically couples the press stud with narrow end  150  of opening  145 , as shown in  FIG. 10B . Conversely, a press stud engaged with connector  100  as described may be disengaged by moving lever  110  from a closed position to an open position, causing cam  102  to rotate away from detent  140  and relax movable leg  132  of V-spring  120 , which disengages the press stud and permits its removal as will be readily appreciated. In another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  in, an ECG electrode connector  1100  is provided wherein a cam is configured to cause mechanical engagement between the press stud and an electrical contact member. A spring may be added to facilitate the opening and actuation of the lever  110 . 
         [0056]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 A, and  6 B, another embodiment according to the present disclosure provides an ECG lead wire connector  400  that includes a housing  405  which provides a cavity  406 , and a pushbutton  410  having an external face  411  and an internal engaging surface  432 . Connector  400  may also include a cover  605  which optionally includes an identification marking  610  as previously described herein. Housing  405 , pushbutton  410 , cover  605  may be constructed from any suitable non-conductive material as previously described. 
         [0057]    Pushbutton  410  is slidably disposed within housing  405  and is biased in a distal direction by a coil spring  420  that is retained at its distal (pushbutton) end by a saddle  426  provided by pushbutton  410 , and at its proximal (housing) end by a saddle  425  provided by housing  405 . Pushbutton  410  includes at least one stop member  436  which cooperates with stop members  435  and  437  provided within housing  405  to define the distal and proximal limits of travel, respectively, of pushbutton  410 . Pushbutton  410  includes an opening  430  disposed therein having an engaging surface  432  for coupling the connector  400  to a press stud as will be further described below. 
         [0058]    Connector  400  further includes an electrical contact member  455  which is disposed upon cavity  406 . Contact member  455  is electrically coupled to a lead wire  475  by any suitable manner of connection as previously disclosed herein. Lead wire  475  may optionally be supported at its exit point from housing  405  by a strain relief  470 . Contact member  455  provides a contact opening  445  defined therein to accept an electrical contact, such as a press stud, and may be an asymmetrical in shape as previously described herein, having a distal narrow end  450  and a proximal wide end  451 . The bottom surface  630  of housing  405  provides an aperture  620  disposed therein which exposes contact opening  445  to the exterior of connector  400  to facilitate insertion of a press stud into the connector. 
         [0059]    Engaging a press stud into connector  400  may be accomplished by depressing pushbutton  410 , by, for example, applying sufficient finger pressure to pushbutton face  411  so as to overcome the bias of coil spring  420 , thereby moving pushbutton  410  from a distal locked position as shown in  FIG. 4  to a proximal open position as shown in  FIG. 5 . Opening  430  correspondingly moves proximally, exposing the wide proximal end  451  of contact opening  445  and facilitating the insertion of a press stud into connector  400  as best shown in  FIG. 6D . Subsequent to insertion of a press stud, pushbutton  410  may then be released whereupon the biasing force of coil spring  420  causes pushbutton  410  to move distally, causing engaging surface  432  to mechanically engage and electrically couple the press stud with narrow end  450  of contact opening  445 , as best shown in  FIG. 6C . Conversely, a press stud engaged with connector  400  as described may be disengaged by depressing pushbutton  410 , causing engaging surface  432  to move proximally, releasing the press stud and facilitating its removal from connector  400 . Upon removal of the press stud, pushbutton  410  may be released, readying connector  400  for subsequent use. It is also contemplated in this embodiment to add components, such as linkages or gearing, between pushbutton and electrical contact member to achieve mechanical advantage and improved clamping or connection force. 
         [0060]    Yet another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 A, and  9 B, wherein is shown an ECG lead wire connector  700  having a housing  705  which provides a cavity  706 , and a lever  710  pivotally disposed thereupon having an actuating end  715 , an external pushbutton face  711 , a pivot  712 , and an engaging region  716 . Connector  700  may also include a cover  905  which optionally includes an identification marking  910  as previously described herein. Housing  705 , lever  710 , and cover  605  may be constructed from any suitable non-conductive material as previously described herein. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , lever  710  includes a pivot hole  713  disposed therein for pivotally engaging a pivot pin  714  that is provided by housing  705 . Actuation end  715  of lever  710  is biased in an outward direction by a leaf spring  720  that is retained at its lever end by surface  726  of lever  710 , and at its housing end by a surface  725  of housing  705 . Additionally or alternatively, leaf spring  720  may include at least one tab (not shown) retained by at least one slot (not shown) provided by lever surface  726  and/or housing surface  725 . Engaging region  716  of lever  710  includes an engaging surface  732  for coupling the connector  700  to a press stud as will be further described below. 
         [0062]    Connector  700  further includes an electrical contact member  755  which is disposed upon cavity  706 . Contact member  755  is electrically coupled to a lead wire  775  by any suitable manner of connection as previously disclosed herein. Lead wire  775  may optionally be supported at its exit point from housing  705  by a strain relief  770 . Contact member  755  provides a contact opening  745  defined therein to accept an electrical contact, such as a press stud, and may be an asymmetrical in shape as previously described herein, having a narrow end  750  and a wide end  751  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9B . The bottom surface  930  of housing  705  provides an aperture  920  disposed therein which exposes contact opening  745  to the exterior of connector  700  to facilitate insertion of a press stud into the connector. 
         [0063]    Engaging a press stud into connector  700  may be accomplished by depressing pushbutton face  711 , by, for example, applying sufficient finger pressure thereto so as to overcome the bias of leaf spring  720 , thereby causing engaging region  716  of lever  710  to swing from a closed position as shown in  FIG. 7  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 8 . The wide end  751  of contact opening  745  is thereby exposed thus facilitating the insertion of a press stud into connector  700 . Pushbutton face  711  may then be released whereupon the biasing force of leaf spring  720  causes engaging surface  732  to move toward the inserted press stud to mechanically engage and electrically couple the press stud with narrow end  750  of contact opening  745 , as will be readily appreciated. Conversely, a press stud engaged with connector  700  as described may be disengaged by depressing pushbutton  710 , causing engaging surface  732  to swing away from the press stud (i.e., away from narrow end  750  of contact opening  745 ), releasing the press stud and facilitating its removal from connector  700 . Upon removal of the press stud, pushbutton face  711  may then be released, readying connector  700  for subsequent use. 
         [0064]    With reference now to  FIGS. 12A-C  and  FIGS. 13  A-D, an embodiment of an ECG electrode connector  1320  includes a housing  1322  having an upper member  1324  and a lower member  1326 , and defining an internal cavity  1328  therebetween. Housing  1322  is fabricated from a non-conducting material, e.g., an injection molded polymer which electrically insulates the subject from the conductive element(s) therewithin. Upper member  1324  and lower member  1326  are separate components attached to each other by any suitable method of bonding, such as without limitation, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or heat welding. Upper member  1324  and lower member  1326  form a non-conductive element of the housing  1322 . 
         [0065]    Housing  1322  includes a lead wire terminal  1330  which is electrically connected to a respective end of lead wire  1304  by any suitable method of connection, including without limitation, crimping, soldering, or welding. Housing  1322  supports a contact member  1332  that is electrically connected to lead wire terminal  1330 . Contact member  1332  and lead wire terminal  1330  may be integrally formed. Contact member  1332  defines a contact opening  1334  formed therein and in communication with internal cavity  1328  of housing  1322 . Contact opening  1334  includes first contact opening portion  1334   a  and second contact opening portion  1334   b . First contact opening portion  1334   a  defines an internal dimension or diameter which is greater than the corresponding internal dimension or diameter of second contact opening portion  1334   b.    
         [0066]    Housing  1322  further includes a lever  1340  pivotably connected thereto. Lever  1340  includes an actuating end  1336 . Lever  1340  is biased to a first position by a biasing member  1338 . Lever  1340  includes an engaging region  1336   a  projecting therefrom so as to extend across first contact opening portion  1334   a  of contact opening  1334  when lever  1340  is in the first position. In use, lever  1340  is actuatable to a second position wherein engaging region  1336   a  thereof does not obstruct or extend across first contact opening portion  1334   a  of contact opening  1334 . For example, a clinician may apply finger pressure to actuating end  1336  that is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of biasing member  1338 , thereby causing engaging region  1336   a  to move to a second position as herein described. 
         [0067]    ECG electrode connector  1320  is adapted for connection to a conventional snap-type biomedical electrode (not explicitly shown). A typical snap-type biomedical electrode incorporates an electrode flange or base and male press stud or terminal extending in transverse relation to the electrode base. The male press stud terminal may have a bulbous head whereby an upper portion of the terminal has a greater cross-sectional dimension than a lower portion of the terminal. Accordingly, in use, when lever  1340  of electrode connector  1320  is in the second position, the head of the male press stud terminal of the snap-type biomedical electrode may be inserted into first contact opening portion  1334   a  of contact opening  1334  and actuating end  1336 , and thus, lever  1340 , may be released so that biasing member  1338  moves engaging region  1336   a  of lever  1340  against the head of the male press stud (not explicitly shown) to push or force the lower portion of the press stud into a second contact opening portion  1334   b  of contact opening  1334 . The biasing force of biasing member  1338  helps to maintain the press stud within second contact opening portion  1334   b  of contact opening  1334  and thus inhibits removal or disconnection of the biomedical electrode from ECG connector  1320 . 
         [0068]    It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Further variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems, instruments and applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.