Miniature implantable connectors

• US 20020193859A1
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research, Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Schulman, Joseph H., Kuzma, Janusz
• Granted Patent: US 6,947,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/20 Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2101/00 One pole
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/20 Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/28 Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

The invention discloses methods of making electrical connections in living tissue between an electrically conductive wire and an implantable miniature device. The device may either stimulate muscles or nerves in the body or detect signals and transmit these signals outside the body or transmit the signals for use at another location within the body. The device is comprised of an electrically insulating or electrically conductive case with at least one electrode for transmitting electrical signals. The electrodes and the wire-electrode connections are protected from the aggressive environment within the body to avoid corrosion of the electrode and to avoid damage to the living tissue surrounding the device.

Claims

1. An improved structure for communicating electrical signals between living tissue and an implantable miniature device configured for monitoring and/or affecting body parameters, wherein said miniature device has an axial dimension of less than about 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than about 6 mm and at least one end of said implantable device includes at least one electrically conductive surface coupled to electrical circuitry contained within, said improvement comprising:

at least one electrically conductive case end comprised of at least one doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between the living tissue and said implantable miniature device by means of at least one electrically conductive wire having a first end configured for electrical coupling to a selected portion of the living tissue and a second end configured for coupling to said implantable miniature device;

at least one electrically conductive connector for attaching said at least one electrically conductive wire to said at least one doorknob electrode; and

an insulating rubber boot surrounding said at least one electrically conductive case end, said at least one electrically conductive electrode, and said at least one electrically conductive connector.

2. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive case end is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, zirconium, niobium, stainless steel, and tantalum.

3. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive case end is comprised of Ti-6 Al-4 V.

4. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said at least one doorknob electrode is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

5. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said insulating rubber boot is comprised of silicone.

6. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive connector comprises a spring clip.

7. The improved structure of claim 6 wherein

said spring clip has at least one prong for grasping said doorknob electrode.

8. The improved structure of claim 6 wherein

said spring clip is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

9. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive connector comprises a structure having at least one prong for grasping said doorknob electrode.

10. A method of communicating electrical signals between living tissue and an implantable miniature device configured for monitoring and/or affecting body parameters, comprising:

snapping an electrically conductive connector over a doorknob electrode that is attached to an electrically conductive surface on an implantable miniature device;

attaching an electrically conductive wire having a first end configured for electrical coupling to a selected portion of the living tissue and a second end configured for coupling to said doorknob electrode;

implanting said first end of said electrically conductive wire where it is in contact with the living tissue; and

implanting said miniature implantable device in the living tissue at some distance from said first end of said electrically conductive wire.

11. A spring clip connector adapted to receive a doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between living tissue and an implantable miniature device configured for monitoring and/or affecting body parameters, comprising:

at least one prong for grasping said doorknob electrode,

a connection to at least one electrically conductive wire having a first end configured for electrical coupling to a selected portion of the living tissue and a second end configured for attachment to said spring clip, wherein

said spring clip is a biocompatible material.

12. The spring clip connector of claim 11 wherein

said biocompatible material is selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

14. The improved structure of claim 13 wherein

said means for attaching said at least one electrically conductive wire to said at least one doorknob electrode comprises a spring clip.

15. The improved structure of claim 14 wherein

said spring clip is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

16. The improved structure of claim 14 wherein

said spring clip has at least one prong for grasping said doorknob electrode.

17. The improved structure of claim 13 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive case end is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, zirconium, niobium, stainless steel, and tantalum.

18. The improved structure of claim 13 wherein

said at least one electrically conductive case end is comprised of Ti-6 Al-4 V.

19. The improved structure of claim 13 wherein

said at least one doorknob electrode is a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

20. The improved structure of claim 13 wherein

said insulating rubber boot is comprised of silicone.

13. An improved structure for communicating electrical signals between living tissue and an implantable miniature device configured for monitoring and/or affecting body parameters, wherein said miniature device has an axial dimension of less than about 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than about 6 mm and at least one end of said implantable device includes at least one electrically conductive surface coupled to electrical circuitry contained within, said improvement comprising:

at least one electrically conductive case end comprised of at least one doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between the living tissue and said implantable miniature device by means of at least one electrically conductive wire having a first end configured for electrical coupling to a selected portion of the living tissue and a second end configured for coupling to said implantable miniature device;

a means for attaching said at least one electrically conductive wire to said at least one doorknob electrode, and

an insulating rubber boot surrounding said at least one electrically conductive case end, said at least one electrically conductive electrode, and said at least one electrically conductive connector.