Patent ID: 8467880

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface different than the first surface, a first portion of the first surface of the substrate being non-parallel to a second portion of the first surface of the substrate; an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode different than the first electrode, the electrode assembly being coupled to the second surface of the substrate and being configured to facilitate transmission of an electrical current from an external stimulator through a bodily tissue; a coupling mechanism configured to removably couple the external stimulator to the substrate, the coupling mechanism defining a receiving portion configured to receive therein at least a portion of the external stimulator, the coupling mechanism including a protrusion configured to matingly engage the external stimulator when the portion of the external stimulator is received within the receiving portion of the coupling mechanism such that a position of the external stimulator is rigidly fixed with respect to the electrode assembly; a power source being coupled to the substrate and being configured to provide power to the external stimulator; and a connection assembly including a first mechanical connector and a second mechanical connector coupled to the first surface of the substrate, each of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector being disposed on the first portion of the first surface of the substrate, the connection assembly having a first configuration in which the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector are electrically coupled to the external stimulator and a second configuration in which the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector are electrically isolated from the external stimulator, when the connection assembly is in its first configuration, the connection assembly is configured to complete a power circuit between the power source and the external stimulator and a stimulation circuit between the external stimulator and the electrode assembly.