Patent ID: 7536226

Claim:
An electro-nerve stimulation apparatus, comprising: a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses, said pulse generator having a first lead wire interface and a second lead wire interface; a percutaneous needle electrode; and a lead wire set removably connectable to the pulse generator and comprising; a first electrically conductive, insulated lead wire having first and second ends, said first end of said first lead wire comprising a first connector for electrically coupling with said first lead wire interface of said pulse generator, said second end of said first lead wire operably comprising an electrically conductive transcutaneous electrode for delivering electrical pulses generated by the pulse generator to a patient's skin; a second electrically conductive, insulated lead wire having first and second ends, said first end of said second lead wire comprising a second connector for electrically coupling with said second lead wire interface of said pulse generator, said second end of said second lead wire comprising an electrically conductive and mechanically suspendable attachment member for being suspended by and electrically connecting with said percutaneous needle electrode; and a single-use mechanism comprising a part of said lead wire set to effectively discourage re-use thereof; wherein said attachment member includes an electrically conductive tape member having an adhesive portion; wherein a terminal end of said percutaneous needle electrode is fixedly adhered to said adhesive portion of said electrically conductive tape member, whereby said percutaneous needle electrode is not readily removable therefrom without damaging said tape member; and wherein said electrically conductive tape member further includes a non-adhesive electrically conductive portion for testing proper placement of said other end of said percutaneous needle electrode in proximity to said internal stimulation site prior to adhering said terminal end of said percutaneous needle electrode to said adhesive portion of said electrically conductive tape member.