Implantable medical lead connector sleeves

• US 20050033371A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sommer, John L., Hess, Douglas N., Hine, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,639,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A connector sleeve includes a lumen adapted to receive a medical lead connector wherein a retention element engages a retention edge formed at a distal end of a connector element included on the lead connector. The connector sleeve further includes a contact element adapted to electrically engage the lead connector element within the lumen and an external conductive surface electrically coupled to the contact element and adapted for electrical engagement within the connector bore of an implantable medical device.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

an implantable medical device including a connector bore;

an electrical lead connector including a connector element;

the connector element including a retention edge formed at a distal end of the connector element; and

a connector sleeve including a lumen adapted to receive the lead connector, a contact element adapted to electrically engage the connector element within the lumen, a retention element adapted to mechanically engage the retention edge of the lead connector element within the lumen, and an external conductive surface electrically coupled to the contact element and adapted for electrical engagement within the connector bore of the implantable medical device.

2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the connector sleeve further includes a sidewall and the retention element comprises a deflectable lever formed in the sidewall to mechanically abut the retention edge of the connector element within the lumen of the connector sleeve.

3. The medical system of claim 2, wherein the deflectable lever becomes plastically deformed to mechanically abut the retention edge of the connector element.

4. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the connector sleeve further includes a sidewall and the retention element comprises a deflectable clip ring having opposing ends protruding into the lumen through the sidewall to mechanically abut the retention edge of the connector element within the lumen of the connector sleeve.

5. The medical system of claim 4, wherein the deflectable clip becomes plastically deformed to mechanically abut the retention edge of the connector element.

6. The medical system of claim 1, wherein:

the retention edge of the connector element comprises a male thread; and

the retention element comprises a female thread formed along a surface of the lumen to mate with the male thread within the lumen.

7. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the retention element comprises a resilient protrusion extending into the lumen to mechanically abut the retention edge of the connector element within the lumen of the connector sleeve.

8. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the connector sleeve further includes an external surface conforming to a connector standard for implantable medical devices.

9. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the retention element of the connector sleeve and the contact element of the connector sleeve are integrally formed.

10. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the contact element of the connector sleeve comprises a multi-beam contact.

11. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the external conductive surface of the connector sleeve forms a ring.

12. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the external conductive surface of the connector sleeve forms a terminal pin.

13. A medical electrical lead connector sleeve, comprising:

a lumen adapted to receive a lead connector;

a contact element adapted to electrically engage a connector element of the lead connector within the lumen;

a retention element adapted to mechanically engage a distal edge of the lead connector element within the lumen; and

an external conductive surface electrically coupled to the contact element and adapted for electrical engagement with an implantable medical device.

14. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, further comprising a sidewall and wherein the retention element comprises a deflectable lever formed in the sidewall to mechanically abut the distal edge of the lead connector element within the lumen.

15. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 14, wherein the deflectable lever deforms plastically to mechanically abut the distal edge of the lead connector element.

16. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, further comprising a sidewall and wherein the retention element comprises a deflectable clip ring having opposing ends protruding into the lumen through the sidewall to mechanically abut the distal edge of the lead connector element within the lumen.

17. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 16, wherein the deflectable clip ring deforms plastically to mechanically abut the distal edge of the lead connector element.

18. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, wherein the retention element comprises a resilient protrusion extending into the lumen to mechanically abut the distal edge of the lead connector ring within the lumen.

19. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, further comprising an external surface conforming to a connector standard for implantable medical devices.

20. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, wherein the retention element and the contact element are integrally formed.

21. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, wherein the contact element comprises a multi-beam contact.

22. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, wherein the external conductive surface forms a ring.

23. The medical lead connector sleeve of claim 13, wherein the external conductive surface forms a terminal pin.