Electrical device connector and method therefor

• US 20050075011A1
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Schnittgrund, Gary D., Byers, Charles L., Canfield, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,935,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/620.210
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/22 Contacts for co-operating by abutting
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use

Abstract

A connector (1) and method of making electrical connection between an electrical conductor (7, 11) and a removable electrical device (2). The connector (7, 11) is an elastic material, such as silicone, that is both compatible with the environment and is an electrical insulator. It forces contact between the electrical device (2) and integral contacts (10, 13) in the connector (1) by virtue of its elasticity. The electrodes (4, 6) and the electrical connections are protected from the environment to avoid electrical leakage or corrosion of the electrodes (4, 6).

Claims

1. A hollow connector for removably mounting an electrical device having at least a first electrode, the connector comprising:

an outer elastic casing comprised of a resilient flexible material;

said connector having a first end and a second end;

a first electrical conductor extending through said first end; and

the casing defining an opening, giving access to the interior of the connector, such that when the electrical device is inserted through the opening to the interior of the connector, the casing is stretched and the first electrical conductor is thereby urged against said first electrode, providing electrical communication therebetween.

2. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein

said electrical device has a second electrode;

a second electrical conductor extends through the second end of said connector; and

said second conductor being urged against said second electrode by said stretched casing, thereby providing electrical communication therebetween.

3. The hollow connector according to claim 2, wherein said second conductor is integrally bonded to said second end.

4. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said casing defines an aperture in said second end, the casing configured to prevent said electrical device from passing through the aperture, retaining said electrical device inside said connector, said electrical device having a second electrode, thereby exposing at least a portion of said second electrode to the environment outside said connector.

5. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said resilient flexible material is biocompatible.

6. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said resilient flexible material is comprised of silicone.

7. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said first electrical conductor extending through said first end is integrally bonded thereto.

8. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is suitable for implantation in living tissue.

9. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is suitable for use in saltwater.

10. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is configured to retain an electrical sensor.

11. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is configured to retain an electrical stimulator.

12. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said casing contains at least one seal lip that mates with said electrical device to electrically isolate said first electrode.

13. The hollow connector according to claim 1, wherein said electrical device is configured to mate with said sealing ridge.

14. A hollow connector for removably mounting an electrical device having at least a first electrode, the connector comprising:

an outer elastic casing comprised of a resilient flexible material;

said connector having a first end and a second end;

a first electrical conductor extending through said first end;

the casing defining an opening, giving access to the interior of the connector, such that when the electrical device is inserted through the opening to the interior of the connector, the casing is stretched and the first electrical conductor is thereby urged against said first electrode, providing electrical communication therebetween; and

said casing comprises a wall thickness that increases proximate the opening defined by said casing.

15. The hollow connector according to claim 14, wherein the casing comprises at least one shoulder.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of providing the hollow connector having at least one electrical conductor positioned interior of the connector is further comprised of an electrical contact attached to said electrical conductor for contacting said at least one electrode.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of providing said hollow connector is further comprised of selecting biocompatible materials for said connector.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of providing said hollow connector that is at least partially comprised of an elastic casing is further comprised of providing at least one sealing ridge inside said hollow connector to seal against said electrical device.

20. The hollow connector according to claim 14, wherein the casing wall thickness increases at the shoulder.

16. A method of removably anchoring an electrical conductor to an electrical device to establish electrical communication therebetween, comprising the steps of:

providing a hollow connector having at least one electrical conductor positioned interior of the connector;

providing said hollow connector that is at least partially comprised of an elastic casing;

providing an electrical device having at least one electrode;

providing an opening in said hollow connector for receiving said electrical device into said hollow connector, whereby the elastic casing is stretched to accommodate said device; and

inserting said implantable electrical device through said opening such that said at least one electrical conductor is urged against said at least one electrode by said stretched elastic casing.