Multi-polar electrical medical lead connector system

• US 20050043771A1
• 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., Hine, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,065,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• 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 is terminated proximally by a connector pin and includes a circumferential array of connector pads, each connector pad coupled to an electrode via an elongated insulated conductor. A lumen of an adaptor is adapted to engage the lead connector and includes an electrical contact zone formed therein and positioned for coupling with a one of the array of connector pads, when the connector is engaged within the lumen, in order to facilitate electrical connection of a selected electrode corresponding to the one of the array of connector pads.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

an IMD including a connector bore;

a first elongated insulated conductor and a plurality of elongated insulated conductors;

a lead connector including a circumferential array of connector pads and terminated proximally by a connector pin, the connector pin adapted for electrical engagement within the connector bore;

a first lead electrode coupled to the connector pin via the first insulated conductor;

an array of electrodes, each electrode of the array of electrodes coupled to a corresponding connector pad of the array of connector pads via a one of the plurality of elongated insulated conductors; and

an adaptor, comprising;

a proximal end and a distal end;

an internal surface forming a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen adapted to engage the lead connector and including an electrical contact zone formed therein and positioned for coupling with a one of the array of connector pads when the connector is engaged within the lumen, and

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

wherein, the one of the array of connector pads corresponds to a selected electrode of the array of lead electrodes; and

when the lead connector is engaged within the lumen of the adaptor, the connector pin protrudes from the proximal end of the adaptor.

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

3. The medical system of claim 1, wherein, when the lead connector is engaged within the lumen of the adaptor, the external surface of the adaptor and the protruding connector pin of the connector conform to an industry standard.

4. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the external surface of the adaptor further includes a set of sealing rings positioned proximal to the conductive surface.

5. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the lead connector further includes a set of sealing rings positioned distal to the array of connector pads.

6. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the lead connector further includes a mechanical stop interfacing with the distal end of the adaptor when the lead connector is fully inserted within the lumen of the adaptor.

7. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact zone is an inward protruding key.

8. The medical system of claim 7, wherein the inward protruding key is a resilient force beam.

9. The medical system of claim 7, wherein each connector pad of the array of connector pads includes a surface depression adapted to mate with the inward protruding key.

10. The medical system of claim 1, wherein each connector pad of the array of connector pads includes a resilient protrusion adapted to mate with the electrical contact zone.

11. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the electrical contact zone includes an inward protruding key having a surface depression adapted to mate with the resilient protrusion of each connector pad of the array of connector pads.

12. A method for coupling a selected electrode from an array of electrodes to an IMD, comprising

aligning a contact zone formed within a lumen of an adaptor with a connector pad selected from a circumferential array of connector pads, the selected connector pad corresponding to the selected electrode;

and

inserting the array of connector pads into the lumen of the adaptor to electrically couple the selected pad with the contact zone.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising inserting the connector pad array, inserted within the lumen of the adaptor, into a connector bore of an IMD.