Multi-polar electrical medical lead connector system

• US 20050043770A1
• Filed: 08/21/2003
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sommer, John L., Gurley, John, Hine, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• 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

Abstract

A lead connector including a connector element array is fitted into a selected adaptor from a plurality of adaptors to electrically couple one or more elements of the connector element array, corresponding to one or more selected electrodes from an array of lead electrodes, to one or more contact zones of the selected adaptor in order to facilitate electrical connection with an implantable medical device.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

an IMD including a connector bore;

a lead connector including a linear array of lead connector elements,

an assembly of elongated insulated conductors;

an array of lead electrodes, each electrode of the array of lead electrodes coupled to a corresponding connector element of the array of connector elements via the assembly of elongated insulated conductors; and

a plurality of adaptors, each adaptor comprising;

an internal surface forming a lumen adapted to engage the array of lead connector elements and including a first electrical contact zone positioned for coupling with a one of the array of lead connector elements when the array is engaged within the lumen, and

an external surface adapted for engagement within the connector bore of the IMD and including a first conductive surface electrically coupled to the first electrical contact zone and adapted for electrical connection within the connector bore;

wherein, the one of the array of connector elements corresponds to a selected electrode of the array of lead electrodes.

2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the external surface of each of the plurality of adaptors conforms to an industry standard.

3. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the lead connector further includes a connector ring positioned distal to the array of lead connector elements and adapted for electrical connection within the connector bore.

4. The medical system of claim 3, wherein the lead connector further includes a set of sealing rings positioned distal to the array of connector elements, a first sealing ring of the set positioned proximal to the connector ring and a second sealing ring of the set positioned distal to the connector ring.

5. The medical system of claim 1, wherein each contact element of the array of lead contact elements includes an outwardly extending protrusion.

6. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the lumen of each of the plurality of adaptors is dimensioned to form a press fit about the array of lead connector elements when the array of lead connector elements in engaged within the lumen.

7. The medical system of claim 1, wherein

the internal surface of each of the plurality of adaptors further includes a second electrical contact zone isolated from the first electrical contact zone and positioned for coupling with another of the array of lead connector elements when the array is engaged within the lumen;

the external surface of the each of the plurality of adaptors further includes a second conductive surface isolated from the first conductive surface, electrically coupled to the second contact zone and adapted for electrical connection within the connector bore; and

the other of the array of lead connector elements corresponds to another selected electrode of the array of lead electrodes.

8. The medical system of claim 7, wherein the external surface of each of the plurality of adaptors conforms to an industry standard.

9. The medical system of claim 7, wherein each contact element of the array of lead contact elements includes an outwardly extending protrusion.

10. The medical system of claim 7, wherein the lumen of each of the plurality of adaptors is dimensioned to form a press fit about the array of lead connector elements when the array of lead connector elements in engaged within the lumen.

11. A method for coupling one or more selected electrodes from an array of electrodes to an IMD, comprising

selecting an adaptor from a plurality of adaptors wherein each adaptor of the plurality of adaptors includes one or more external conductive surfaces, an internal surface forming a lumen and including one or more contact zones;

the one or more contact zones of each adaptor uniquely positioned and each of the one or more contact zones electrically coupled to a corresponding external conductive surface; and

fitting a lead connector element array into the lumen of the selected adaptor to electrically couple one or more elements of the connector element array corresponding to the one or more selected electrodes to the one or more contact zones of the selected adaptor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising fitting the lead connector element array, fitted within the lumen of the selected adaptor, into a connector bore of the IMD.