Hands-free paddles using single-use adhesive pads

An applicator for use with an adhesive pad to form a paddle for use with a defibrillator, comprising:

• a main body comprising
• a bottom side, and
• a connector on the bottom side adapted to electrically and mechanically attach said main body to the adhesive pad along a primary electrical path between a patient, said main body, and the defibrillator;
• a handle attached to said main body;
• and
• an electrical contact attached to said main body to form a secondary electrical path between the patient, said main body, and the defibrillator.

A pad portion for use with an applicator to form a paddle for use with a defibrillator, comprising:

• a backing having a top side and a bottom side;
• a connector attached to the top side adapted to form a mechanical and electrical connection to the applicator;
• a conductive medium attached to the bottom side;
• a lid to encase said conductive medium;
• and
• an electrical contact disposed external on said lid to provide an electrical pathway between a patient and the defibrillator through the applicator when said conductive medium is encased by said lid.

A paddle for use with a defibrillator, comprising:

• an applicator comprising:
• a plate having a top side and a bottom side that shapes to a curvature of a patient,
• a handle attached to the top side of the plate, and
• an applicator connector disposed on the bottom side of the plate;
• a pad portion adapted to be electrically connected to said applicator, comprising
• a flexible backing that is shaped by the plate,
• a pad portion connector disposed on a top side of the flexible backing adapted to form an electrical and mechanical connection to the applicator connector,
• a lid attached to the flexible backing, and
• an adhesive conductive medium attached to a bottom side of the flexible backing and removably encased by the lid, the adhesive conductive medium comprising a flexible conductor disposed between an adhesive layer and the bottom side of the flexible backing;
• and
• an electrical contact disposed on the lid electrically connected to said pad portion, said electrical contact being exposed while the adhesive conductive medium is encased by the lid so as to send signals to said applicator through the adhesive conductive medium.

A paddle for use with a defibrillator, comprising:

• an applicator comprising:
• a plate having a top side and a bottom side that shapes to a curvature of a patient,
• a handle attached to the top side of the plate, and
• an applicator connector disposed on the bottom side of the plate;
• a pad portion adapted to be electrically connected to said applicator, comprising
• a flexible backing that is shaped by the plate,
• a pad portion connector disposed on a top side of the flexible backing adapted to form an electrical and mechanical connection to the applicator connector,
• an adhesive conductive medium attached to a bottom side of the flexible backing, the adhesive conductive medium comprising a flexible conductor disposed between an adhesive layer and the bottom side of the flexible backing, the adhesive conductive medium being shaped to be encased by a bag;
• and
• an electrical contact disposed on the plate adjacent to the applicator connector so as to form an additional electrical pathway between the defibrillator and said applicator while said pad portion is not connected to said applicator.

A paddle for use with a defibrillator, comprising:

• an applicator comprising:
• a plate having a top side and a bottom side that shapes to a curvature of a patient,
• a handle attached to the top side of the plate, and
• an applicator connector disposed on the bottom side of the plate;
• a pad portion adapted to be electrically connected to said applicator, comprising
• a flexible backing that is shaped by the plate,
• a pad portion connector disposed on a top side of the flexible backing adapted to form an electrical and mechanical connection to the applicator connector,
• an adhesive conductive medium attached to a bottom side of the flexible backing, the adhesive conductive medium comprising a flexible conductor disposed between an adhesive layer and the bottom side of the flexible backing, and
• a layer removably encasing the adhesive conductive medium;
• and
• an electrical contact disposed on the plate adjacent to the handle so as to form an additional electrical pathway between the defibrillator and said applicator while the adhesive conductive medium is encased by the layer.

A method of using a paddle with a defibrillator, comprising:

• attaching a pad portion to an applicator to form the paddle, the pad portion having a conductive medium encased by a lid;
• assessing a condition of a patient by forming an electrical pathway between the defibrillator and the patient using an electrical contact disposed on at least one of the lid or the applicator and an additional electrode;
• and
• removing the lid to connect the paddle to the patient to form another electrical pathway between the defibrillator and the patient using the paddle and the additional electrode.