Connector block for an implantable medical device

• US 20050245982A1
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meyer, Thomas E., Zart, Bryan J., Kast, John E., Deininger, Steve T., Clayton, Jeffrey J.
• Application Number:
  US10/836,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20050245982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery

Abstract

A connector block providing electrical coupling to electronic componentry of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device has a case containing the electronic componentry. A preformed electrically conductive “wireform” mounted with respect to a structurally rigid polymer frame forming a plurality of electrical contacts. Potting is formed in situ with liquid thermoset polymer substantially filling any voids in the connector block and forming a thermoset polymer gasket between the connector block and the case.

Claims

1. A connector block providing electrical coupling to electronic componentry of an implantable medical device, said implantable medical device having a case containing said electronic componentry, comprising:

a structurally rigid polymer frame;

a preformed electrically conductive “

wireform”

mounted with respect to said frame forming a plurality of electrical contacts; and

potting formed in situ with liquid thermoset polymer substantially filling any voids in said connector block and forming a thermoset polymer gasket between said connector block and said case.

2. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said thermoset polymer gasket comprises a biocompatible thermoset polymer.

3. A connector block as in claim 1 further comprising a thermoplastic polymer urethane cover covering any exposed portions of said connector block with said connector block installed onto said implantable medical device.

4. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said thermoset polymer provides electrical isolation between said plurality of electrical contacts.

5. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said frame forms a chimney near at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts, said chimney forming a void allowing said liquid thermoset polymer to penetrate and at least partially fill said chimney.

6. A connector block as in claim 5 wherein said liquid thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney provides a bonding surface for like thermoset polymers.

7. A connector block as in claim 6 further comprising a grommet adapted to be inserted into said chimney bonding with said liquid thermoset polymer in said chimney.

8. A connector block as in claim 7 wherein said grommet comprises a thermoset polymer compatible with said thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney.

9. A connector block as in claim 8 wherein said thermoset polymer comprises silicone rubber.

10. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said thermoset polymer gasket formed by said liquid thermoset polymer forms a skirt that is thinner than reasonably achievable by said polymer frame.

11. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said polymer is treated with an adhesion promoter.

12. A connector block as in claim 1 further comprising a set screw mating with said polymer frame at said at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts for securing a mating lead wire to said connector block.

13. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said potting forms an internal strain relief for a lead wire coupled to said connector block.

14. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrical contacts are linearly arranged.

15. A connector block as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of contacts are linearly arranged and wherein said thermoset polymer provides electrical isolation between each of said plurality of electrical contacts.

16. An implantable medical device;

a case;

electronic componentry contained in said case;

a connector block providing electrical coupling to said electronic componentry;

a structurally rigid polymer frame;

a preformed electrically conductive “

wireform”

mounted with respect to said frame forming a plurality of electrical contacts;

potting formed in situ with liquid thermoset polymer substantially filling any voids in said connector block and forming a thermoset polymer gasket between said connector block and said case.

17. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said thermoset polymer gasket comprises a biocompatible thermoset polymer.

18. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 further comprising a thermoplastic polymer urethane cover covering any exposed portions of said connector block with said connector block installed onto said implantable medical device.

19. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said thermoset polymer provides electrical isolation between said plurality of electrical contacts.

20. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said frame forms a chimney near at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts, said chimney forming a void allowing said liquid thermoset polymer to penetrate and at least partially fill said chimney.

21. An implantable medical device as in claim 20 wherein said liquid thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney provides a bonding surface for like thermoset polymers.

22. An implantable medical device as in claim 21 further comprising a grommet adapted to be inserted into said chimney bonding with said liquid thermoset polymer in said chimney.

23. An implantable medical device as in claim 22 wherein said grommet comprises a thermoset polymer compatible with said thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney.

24. An implantable medical device as in claim 23 wherein said thermoset polymer comprises silicone rubber.

25. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said thermoset polymer gasket formed by said liquid thermoset polymer forms a skirt that is thinner than reasonably achievable by said polymer frame.

26. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said polymer is treated with an adhesion promoter.

27. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 further comprising a set screw mating with said polymer frame at said at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts for securing a mating lead wire to said connector block.

28. An implantable medical device as in claim 16 wherein said potting forms an internal strain relief for a lead wire coupled to said connector block.

29. A connector block as in claim 16 wherein said plurality of electrical contacts are linearly arranged.

30. A method of forming a connector block providing electrical coupling to electronic componentry of an implantable medical device, said implantable medical device having a case containing said electronic componentry, said connector block having a structurally rigid polymer frame and a preformed electrically conductive “

wireform”

mounted with respect to said frame forming a plurality of electrical contacts, comprising the steps of;

mounting said wireform with respect to said polymer frame;

mounting said connector block to said case of said implantable medical device;

connecting a plurality of lead wires to said plurality of electrical contacts;

potting said connector block with liquid thermoset polymer substantially filling any voids in said connector block and forming a thermoset polymer gasket between said connector block and said case.

31. A method as in claim 30 wherein said thermoset polymer gasket comprises a biocompatible thermoset polymer.

32. A method as in claim 30 further comprising the step of attaching a thermoplastic polymer urethane cover covering any exposed portions of said connector block with said connector block installed onto said implantable medical device.

33. A method as in claim 30 wherein said thermoset polymer provides electrical isolation between said plurality of electrical contacts.

34. A method as in claim 30 further comprising the step of at least partially filling a chimney formed by said frame near at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts with a liquid thermoset polymer.

35. A method as in claim 34 wherein said liquid thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney provides a bonding surface for like thermoset polymers.

36. A method as in claim 35 further comprising the step of inserting a grommet into said chimney, said grommet bonding with said thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney.

37. A method as in claim 36 wherein said grommet comprises a thermoset polymer compatible with said thermoset polymer at least partially filling said chimney.

38. A method as in claim 37 wherein said thermoset polymer comprises silicone rubber.

39. A method as in claim 30 further comprising the step of forming a skirt with said thermoset polymer gasket that is thinner than reasonably achievable by said polymer frame.

40. A method as in claim 30 wherein said polymer is treated with an adhesion promoter.

41. A method as in claim 30 further comprising the step of mating a lead wire with at least one of said plurality of electrical contacts in said connector block.

42. A method as in claim 41 wherein said mating step is accomplished with a set screw.

43. A method as in claim 30 further comprising the step of forming an internal strain relief for a lead wire coupled to said connector block with said potting.

44. A method as in claim 30 wherein said plurality of electrical contacts are linearly arranged.