Implantable modular, multi-channel connector system for nerve signal sensing and electrical stimulation applications

• US 20050118887A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 4491343 Canada Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neurostream Technologies G.P.
• Inventors: Jenne, Gary B., Hoffer, Joaquin Andres
• Granted Patent: US 7,303,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/810
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2408 actuated by clamping screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

An implantable electrical connector includes a male portion and a female receptacle. The male portion includes a number of wires that terminate in a pattern of conductive areas. The male portion is inserted into a female receptacle and guides in the female receptacle limit the insertion of the male portion to a single direction. A locking mechanism such as a setscrew on the female receptacle forces conductive areas of the exposed conductors onto connecting pins within the female receptacle. The setscrew itself is electrically isolated from the conductive areas. Each pin in the female receptacle is surrounded by a rigid seal that engages a compressible insulating member under compression of the locking mechanism to prevent an electrical connection forming between adjacent pins in the connector.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a male portion having a plurality of electrical conductors that terminate therein, a female receptacle into which the male portion may be received, the female receptacle including a number of conductive pins and a locking mechanism that compresses the conductors in the male portion against the conductive pins in the female receptacle.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the conductive pins extend through holes in the female receptacle, wherein each hole has a seal that surrounds the conductive pin.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is electrically isolated from the plurality of electrical conductors.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a setscrew.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the male portion includes a housing and a plurality of conductive pads secured to the electrical conductors, wherein the conductive pads align with the conductive pins when the male portion is within the female receptacle.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, further comprising a compressible insulating member positioned between the conductive pads and the housing of the male portion.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the conductive pins within the female receptacle are stepped at one end thereof.

8. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the seals are rigid and engage a compressible insulating member in the male portion under compression of the locking mechanism.

9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductors in the male portion are insulated but have a portion of an insulating material removed where the conductive pins engage the conductors.

10. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductors in the male portion are arranged in flat, planar array.