Electrical jackbox apparatus and method

Abstract

In the jackbox of the present invention, a number of electrical connectors are releasably connectable to electrical leads carrying electrical signals representative of at least one physiological patient parameter from the patient to patient monitoring equipment. Preferably, the jackbox has an openable enclosure for gaining access to electrical connectors therein. When closed, the enclosure preferably substantially surrounds the electrical connectors and ends of the electrical leads. The enclosure can have a clamshell, book, or other form as desired. Although an openable enclosure is preferred, some embodiments of the jackbox have no enclosure or have an enclosure not permitting user access to the interior thereof. Enclosures according to different embodiments of the present invention are made of resilient and relatively non-deformable, semi-deformable, or deformable material. To improve access to the electrical connectors, one or more of the electrical connectors are preferably movable in response to motion of the enclosure and/or are preferably arranged in a space-saving nested relationship. Electrical connector nesting can be between electrical connections substantially overlying one another or only partially overlapping one another. Highly preferred embodiments have electrical connectors arranged in sets of partially overlapping electrical connections. Also, each set is preferably offset with respect to the set or sets of electrical connectors located therebehind. Preferably, the electrical connectors are also arranged to prevent inadvertent or accidental disconnection of the electrical leads and to prevent the transmission of pulling force upon the electrical leads outside of the jackbox to the electrical connections inside the jackbox.