Operating room lead connector

• US 20060030918A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Woods, Carla Mann, Goldman, Stephen L., Chinn, Kenny Kinyen
• Granted Patent: US 7,548,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

An operating room connector is used in conjunction with a multiple electrode SCS system which can easily detach and connect to an external trial stimulator (ETS). By connecting the electrode SCS system to a stylet handle, and then locking the stylet handle within a slot of the connector platform, a user is able to minimize the required steps in connecting the ETS to the implanted SCS lead system. The ETS can then be used to readjust the position of the electrode array(s) previously implanted to deliver an optimal stimulation therapy.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting at least one lead system to an external trial stimulator, the at least one lead system including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts and the proximal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals, the connector comprising:

a connector platform having at least one open slot; and

a stylet handle detachably connected to said connector platform inside the at least one open slot, wherein a stylet wire is permanently attached to said stylet handle, and wherein the stylet wire engages the at least one lead system through a central lumen.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the stylet wire is permanently attached to said stylet handle using an adhesive.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the stylet wire is permanently attached to said stylet handle using a heat staking process.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector platform has two or more open slots that extend along a surface of the connector platform.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the two or more open slots each include a plurality of spaced-apart mating contacts.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein the plurality of spaced-apart mating contacts align with the plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the stylet handle further comprises a carrier that encloses the proximal end of the at least one lead system.

8. The connector of claim 7 wherein the carrier comprises a front locking member that positively locates onto a front locking groove and a rear locking member that clips down onto a rear locking groove, both grooves dimensioned and positioned within the at least one open slot.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein the at least one open slot comprises a plurality of mating contacts.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein the plurality of mating contacts align with the plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals.

11. A connector system for connecting at least one SCS lead assembly to an external trial stimulator, said at least one SCS lead assembly including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts and the proximal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals, the connector system comprising:

a stylet handle, wherein a stylet wire is permanently attached to said stylet handle, and wherein said stylet wire engages the at least one SCS lead assembly through a central lumen;

attachment means for connecting the stylet handle to a connector platform.

12. The connector system of claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises at least one open slot that extends along a surface of the connector platform, wherein the at least one open slot further comprises a plurality of mating contacts enclosed therein, and wherein the plurality of mating contacts align with the plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals.

13. The connector system of claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises two or more open slots that extend along a surface of the connector platform.

14. The connector system of claim 12 wherein the stylet handle further comprises a carrier that encloses the proximal end of the at least one SCS lead assembly.

15. The connector system of claim 14 wherein the carrier further comprises a front locking member that positively locates onto a front locking groove and a rear locking member that clips down onto a rear locking groove, both grooves dimensioned and positioned within the at least one open slot.

16. A system for connecting at least one implantable lead to an external trial stimulator, the at least one implantable lead including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts and the proximal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals, the system comprising:

a stylet handle having a stylet wire attached thereto, and wherein said stylet wire is adapted to engage the at least one implantable lead through a central lumen;

a housing having at least one attachment area that extends along a surface of said housing, wherein the stylet handle is detachably connected to the at least one attachment area;

a cable having a first end connected to the housing, and a second end connected to the external trial stimulator.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the housing further includes two or more attachment areas.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the stylet handle further comprises a front locking member that positively locates onto a front locking groove and a rear locking member that clips down onto a rear locking groove, both grooves dimensioned and positioned within the at least one attachment area, wherein the at least one attachment area has a plurality of mating contacts associated therewith, and wherein the plurality of mating contacts align with the plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals.

19. A method for positioning at least one lead system within a patient, the at least one lead system including a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts and the proximal end having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals, the method comprising:

(a) engaging the at least one lead system with a stylet wire through a central lumen, wherein said stylet wire is attached to a stylet handle;

(b) maneuvering the at least one lead system with the stylet wire through a region of the patient;

(c) locking the stylet handle to a connector platform, wherein the connector platform includes two or more open slots that extend along a surface of the connector platform and wherein the open slots dispose therein a plurality of mating contacts that align with the plurality of spaced-apart electrical terminals;

(d) connecting an external trial stimulator to the plurality of mating contacts through a cable;

(e) readjusting the distal end of the at least one lead system with the stylet wire;

(f) applying stimulation therapy to the distal end of the at least one lead system with the external trial stimulator;

(g) testing the stimulation therapy;

(h) repeating (e), (f), and (g) until a desired position for the at least one lead system along a region of the patient is established.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein locking the stylet handle to the connector platform further comprises engaging a front locking member onto a front locking groove, engaging a rear locking member onto a rear locking groove, both grooves dimensioned and positioned within the open slots.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(i) disconnecting the stylet handle from the connector platform;

(j) removing the stylet wire from the at least one lead system;

(k) connecting the at least one lead system to an IPG;

(l) applying electrical current to the distal end of the at least one lead system with the IPG;

(m) delivering stimulation therapy to the patient using the IPG.