Multiport neurological screening cable

• US 20030199948A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kohnen, Jane Lambie, Fesser, Luis E., Kokones, Scott B.
• Application Number:
  US10/125,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199948A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/22 End caps, i.e. of insulating or conductive material for covering or maintaining connections between wires entering the cap from the same end

Abstract

A neurological stimulation screening cable is disclosed to improve physician flexibility during the screening procedure for neurological conditions such as pain, movement disorders, functional disorders. The screening cable comprises a proximal screening connector, at least two screening conductors, a distal screening connector configured for receiving at least two implantable neurological leads, at least two lead receptors each having at least two receptor contacts, and a cover having a cover open position for permitting access to the lead receptors and a cover closed position for enclosing the lead receptors.

Claims

1. A multiport neurological screening cable, comprising:

a proximal screening connector;

at least two screening conductors electrically connected to the proximal screening connector; and

,

a distal screening connector configured for receiving at least two implantable neurological leads, the distal screening connector being electrically connected to the screening conductors and including,

a housing,

at least two lead receptors carried by the housing, the lead receptors each having at least one receptor contact.

a cover coupled to the housing, the cover having a cover open position for permitting access to the lead receptors and a cover closed position for enclosing the lead receptors.

2. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 wherein the lead receptors comprise a first lead receptor for accepting a first implantable neurological lead and a second lead receptor for accepting a second implantable neurological lead.

3. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising a cover switch having a switch housing detail and a switch cover detail, the cover switch having an open position to disable the screening cable and a closed position to enable the screening cable.

4. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising at least two lead openings formed in the housing for receiving implantable neurological leads into the lead receptors.

5. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising at least one stylet opening formed in the housing to permit at least one stylet to extend outside the housing.

6. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising cover details configured to seat the neurological leads into the receptor contact.

7. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising a cover lock operated by the cover to secure the cover to the housing.

8. The multiport neurological screening cable as in claim 1 further comprising an overmold that surrounds a portion of the housing and mechanically couples to the housing.

9. A multiport neurological screening cable, comprising:

a proximal screening connector;

at least two screening conductors electrically connected to the proximal screening connector; and

,

a distal screening connector configured for receiving at least two implantable neurological leads, the distal screening connector being electrically connected to the screening conductors and including,

a housing,

means for receiving at least two neurological leads, the means for receiving carried by the housing; and

,

means for covering coupled to the housing, the means for covering selectively permitting access to the lead receptors and denying access to the lead receptors.

10. A multiport distal screening connector, comprising:

a housing,

at least two lead receptors carried by the housing configured for receiving at least two implantable neurological leads, the lead receptors each having at least one receptor contact; and

,

a cover coupled to the housing, the cover having a cover open position for permitting access to the lead receptors and a cover closed position for denying access to the lead receptors.

11. The multiport distal screening connector as in claim 10 further comprising a cover switch having a switch housing detail and a switch cover detail, the cover switch having an open position to disable the screening cable and a closed position to enable the screening cable.

12. A method for connecting an implantable neurological lead to an external neurostimulator, comprising:

connecting a proximal screening connector to an external neurostimulator;

opening a cover to a housing;

placing a first implantable neurological lead into first lead receptor carried in the housing;

placing a second implantable neurological lead into a second lead receptor carried in the housing;

seating the first implantable neurological lead into the first lead receptor to electrically couple the first implantable neurological lead to a first receptor contact; and

,

seating the second implantable neurological lead into the second lead receptor to electrically couple the second implantable neurological lead to a second receptor contact; and

,

closing the cover over the first implantable neurological lead and the second neurological lead.

13. The method as in claim 12, further comprising activating a cover switch to enable the screening cable creating electrical continuity between the external neurostimulator and the first neurological lead and the second neurological lead.