METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING OPENING A SEALED MEDICAL ELECTRODE PACKAGE

An apparatus for storing one or more electrodes for an automatic external defibrillator includes inter alia a cavity and a lid. The cavity accepts the one or more electrodes and includes at least one vertical surface. A top lateral edge surface of the cavity meets the at least one vertical surface and has a first end with at least one hole. At least one ridge extends horizontally out from the at least vertical surface of the cavity. The lid is detachably attached to the cavity and includes a bottom surface that faces the top lateral edge surface of the cavity, as well as at least one protrusion that extends into the hole in the top lateral edge surface when the lid is attached to the cavity. The hole and the protrusion form a hinge structure at a hinged end of the lid and cavity. A handle is rotatably mounted to the lid opposite the hinged end. The handle includes a camming surface, which engages the ridge to create separation between the lid and the cavity as the handle is rotated from its closed position to its open position. A seal is fixed to the bottom surface and is also removably fixed to the top lateral edge surface of the cavity, thereby forming a sealed enclosure with the cavity in which the electrodes are disposed when the lid is attached to the cavity. As the handle is rotated from its closed position to its open position the seal is simultaneously peeled from the top lateral edge surface of the cavity.