Patent ID: 8587918

Claim:
A deployment unit for use with an electronic weapon, the deployment unit providing a current from a signal generator of the electronic weapon through tissue of a human or animal target, the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target, the deployment unit comprising: a housing; an interface that couples the housing to the signal generator, the interface for receiving the current; a filament that conducts the current, the filament stored in the housing prior to deployment, the filament coupled to the interface for receiving the current; an electrode stored in the housing prior to deployment; and a propellant that in operation propels the electrode away from the housing to deploy the filament toward the target; wherein the electrode comprises a binding and deploying structure mechanically coupled to the filament to deploy the filament from the housing; and a coupling and diffusing structure comprising a shaft and a tip, the coupling and diffusing structure mechanically coupled to the binding and deploying structure, the coupling and diffusing structure capable of activating the tip for a first portion of the current at a first activation voltage and capable of activating at least a portion of the shaft for a second portion of the current at a second activation voltage less than the first activation voltage.