Defibrillation electrodes

A reusable component of a hands-free defibrillation electrode, the reusable component comprising:

• a flexible nonconductive element, and
• a flexible reusable metallic element supported by the flexible nonconductive element and configured to spread current from a defibrillation shock across a treatment area large enough for defibrillation, at least 15 cm2,
• wherein the flexible metallic element comprises a plurality of substantially inflexible metallic elements interconnected by flexible metallic linking elements,
• wherein the flexible nonconductive element comprises a flexible nonconductive material substantially encapsulating the metallic element except for a plurality of openings in the nonconductive material through which the substantially inflexible metallic elements are exposed on an active surface of the reusable component,
• wherein the active surface is configured to be adhered to a disposable coupling portion, and
• wherein the reusable component is sized and configured to accept an electrical defibrillation pulse and spread the electrical pulse to each of the exposed metallic elements, from which it is delivered through the openings in the nonconductive to the treatment area of the patient's chest through the disposable coupling portion, and
• wherein the reusable component is configured to be reused multiple times, each time with a new disposable coupling portion having been applied to the active surface of the reusable component.