Connector for use in an implantable stimulator device
First Claim
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1. A connector block for use in an implantable stimulator device, comprising:
- a resilient, substantially compressible body having at least one lead insertion lumen defined in said resilient body; and
a plurality of connector contacts disposed within said lumen, said contacts being configured to yield to compressive forces in response to external compressive forces applied to the resilient, substantially compressible body and thereby exert a clamping force on the connector end of a lead or a lead extension.
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Abstract
A connector is configured to couple an implantable pulse generator (IPG) to an electrical stimulation lead or electrical leads while allowing the implantable pulse generator to be hermetically sealed within a case assembly. The connector includes a resilient body having a lead insertion lumen defined therein. Connector contacts for connecting to multiple contacts at the proximal end of the stimulation may be disposed along the length of the insertion lumen as an array. The connector contacts are configured to be coupled to lead extensions or leads, which direct electrical stimuli to a desired body location.
93 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A connector block for use in an implantable stimulator device, comprising:
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a resilient, substantially compressible body having at least one lead insertion lumen defined in said resilient body; and
a plurality of connector contacts disposed within said lumen, said contacts being configured to yield to compressive forces in response to external compressive forces applied to the resilient, substantially compressible body and thereby exert a clamping force on the connector end of a lead or a lead extension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
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a circuit board;
a case assembly having a case frame; and
a removable, lead connector block having at least one lead insertion lumen defined in said connector block and a plurality of connector contacts disposed within said lumen, wherein the lead connector block is configured to be attachable to the case frame. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An implantable stimulator system comprising:
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a medical device, having a case;
a removable connector block having a lead insertion lumen, which lumen is dimensioned to a size larger than a connector end of a stimulation lead or a lead extension;
a pivotable connector block cover, attached on end of the case to the implantable medical device, the connector block cover having an open, unlocked position and a locked, closed position, wherein in the locked position, the removable connector block is securely attached to the medical device case; and
an opening tool, configured to open the connector block cover and release the connector block from the medical device case. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of using a stimulator system comprising:
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providing a stimulator device case configured to accept a removable lead connector block;
selecting a stimulation lead or extension lead with a proximal connector end having a predetermined size;
selecting a removable lead connector block with a lead insertion lumen sized to accept the proximal connector end of the stimulation lead or extension lead;
securely inserting the proximal connector end of the stimulation lead or extension lead into the insertion lumen;
securing the lead connector block to the stimulator;
if an extension lead has been inserted into the insertion lumen, attaching the, proximal connector end of the selected stimulation lead to the distal female of the extension lead; and
implanting the stimulator and connected stimulation lead into a patient. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification