Implantable lead connector assembly for implantable devices and methods of using it
First Claim
1. An implantable lead connector assembly for separably, electrically connecting at least one electrode lead having at least one proximal contact to an implantable device, the lead connector assembly comprising:
- a connector housing having an open position adapted for accepting said at least one electrode lead and a closed position and said closable connector housing comprising seals adapted to isolate each said at least one proximal contact in said closed position, and at least one resilient electrical conductive member within said connector housing in electrical contact with a terminal adapted to connect said resilient electrical conductive member to said implantable device, said at least one resilient electrical conductive member further adapted to contact one of said at least one proximal contact of said at least one electrode lead, and whereby changing said closable connector housing from said open position to said closed position compresses each said at least one resilient electrical conductive member contacting a proximal contact and isolates each said at least one proximal contact.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This is an implantable lead connector assembly for connecting electrode leads implanted into the brain to implantable devices. The lead connector assembly preferably includes at least one interposer for holding a lead electrode, a connector housing, a fastener, and electrical connection members that electrically link the electrode lead connections to the to pins projecting from the lead connector assembly. Electrical contact between the electrode lead and the external pins of the connector assembly is accomplished by closing the connector housing. Multiple electrical leads may be connected in this way and the electrical contacts between the connector and the electrode lead are sealed from each other and from external fluids. A method for connecting an implantable electrode lead to an implantable device using such an implantable connector is also provided.
94 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An implantable lead connector assembly for separably, electrically connecting at least one electrode lead having at least one proximal contact to an implantable device, the lead connector assembly comprising:
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a connector housing having an open position adapted for accepting said at least one electrode lead and a closed position and said closable connector housing comprising seals adapted to isolate each said at least one proximal contact in said closed position, and at least one resilient electrical conductive member within said connector housing in electrical contact with a terminal adapted to connect said resilient electrical conductive member to said implantable device, said at least one resilient electrical conductive member further adapted to contact one of said at least one proximal contact of said at least one electrode lead, and whereby changing said closable connector housing from said open position to said closed position compresses each said at least one resilient electrical conductive member contacting a proximal contact and isolates each said at least one proximal contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An implantable lead connector assembly for separably, electrically connecting one or more implantable electrodes having at least one proximal contact to an implantable device, the lead connector assembly comprising:
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an interposer for accepting one of said one or more electrode leads, where said interposer comprises an insulator and has openings for exposing the proximal contacts of said electrode lead and further comprising at least portions of seals adapted electrically to isolate said proximal contacts;
a connector housing for enclosing said interposer said connector housing having an interior and an exterior;
a plurality of electrical conductive members passing from the interior to the exterior of said connector housing, said electrical conductive members each having a first end and a second end, such that said first ends of said electrical conductive members passes through said openings on said interposer for contacting the proximal contacts of said electrode lead and said second ends of said electrical conductive members projecting from said exterior of said connector housing; and
a fastener adapted to compress said electrical conductive members against the proximal contacts of said electrode lead held in said interposer, forming an electrical contact. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An implantable lead connector assembly for electrically connecting at least one implantable electrode leads, each electrode lead having at least one proximal contact, to an implantable device, the lead connector assembly comprising:
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at least one interposer comprising an insulator, for holding said electrode lead, said interposer having an upper portion and a lower portion, and having openings on said lower portion for exposing said proximal contacts of said electrode lead;
a clamp housing having an interior and an exterior, said interior of said clamp housing substantially conforming to said upper portion of at least one of said interposers;
a plurality of compressible electrical connection members having a first and a second end, where said electrical connection members fit into said openings on said interposer such that said first end of said electrical connection members will form electrical contacts with an electrode lead;
a connector carriage having an interior and an exterior, said interior of said connector carriage substantially conforming to said lower portion of at least one of said interposers;
a baseplate attached to said connector carriage;
a plurality of electrically conductive feedthrough pins each having a first end and a second end such that said second ends of said feedthrough pins will form electrical connection to an implantable device on said exterior of said connector carriage, and said first end of said feedthrough pins will form electrical contacts with said second end of said electrical connection members; and
a fastener for holding said clamp housing to said connector carriage, adapted to hold said interposer between said clamp housing and said connector carriage to make contact between said feedthrough pins and said electrode lead via said electrical connection members. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of connecting an implantable electrode lead to an implantable device comprising:
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providing an implantable electrode lead;
providing an implantable device;
providing an implantable lead connector assembly, the assembly comprising an interposer having openings, a connector housing and a fastener, where the connector housing includes electrical connection members fitting within said interposer openings and that are electrically continuous with pins projecting from an external face of the connector housing. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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Specification