SELF-SEALING SEPTUM ASSEMBLY

• US 20090248094A1
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: McDonald, Matthew Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,145,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/36 Conductive members located under tip of screw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24628 Nonplanar uniform thickness material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31663 As siloxane, silicone or silane

Abstract

Exemplary septum assemblies include first and second housing components each defined by at least an inner surface, at least one sealing strip disposed at least partially on at least one of the inner surfaces of the housing components, and a compression member at least partially surrounding the housing components.

Claims

1. A septum assembly comprising:

first and second housing components each defined by at least an inner surface;

at least one sealing strip disposed at least partially on at least one of said inner surfaces of said housing components; and

a compression member at least partially surrounding said housing components.

2. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said compression member is configured to exert a force on said first and second housing components such that said at least one sealing strip creates a seal between said inner surfaces of said housing components.

3. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said compression member is configured to expand to allow said first and second housing components to separate one from another to facilitate passage therebetween of a wrench.

4. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing components are made of a generally rigid material.

5. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one sealing strip is made of a silicone material.

6. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said compression member is made of an elastic material.

7. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said housing components is further defined by a curved outer surface, and wherein said at least one sealing strip extends at least partially along one or more of said curved outer surfaces.

8. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said housing components comprises a tapered portion configured to guide a wrench in between said first and second housing components.

9. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one sealing strip comprises:

a first sealing strip disposed at least partially on said inner surface of said first housing component; and

a second sealing strip disposed at least partially on said inner surface of said second housing component.

10. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said compression member comprises at least one of a compression band and a silicone body integrally molded into a stimulator.

11. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second housing components are configured to serve as a stop to prevent over loosening of a set screw.

12. A stimulator comprising:

a housing configured to house electronic circuitry configured to generate electrical stimulation;

a receptacle at least partially disposed within said housing configured to receive a proximal portion of a lead;

an orifice within said housing and having an opening in communication with an outer surface of said housing, said orifice being configured to receive a set screw, said set screw configured to be tightened against said proximal portion of said lead; and

a septum assembly coupled to said housing and configured to cover said opening of said orifice;

wherein said septum assembly comprises

first and second housing components each defined by at least an inner surface,

at least one sealing strip disposed at least partially on at least one of said inner surfaces of said housing components, and

a compression member at least partially surrounding said housing components;

wherein said at least one sealing strip is configured to create a seal over said opening of said orifice.

13. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said compression member is configured to exert a force on said first and second housing components such that said at least one sealing strip creates said seal.

14. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said compression member is configured to expand to allow said first and second housing components to separate one from another to facilitate passage therebetween of a wrench into said orifice.

15. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said housing components are configured to prevent over loosening of said set screw within said orifice.

16. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said at least one sealing strip is made of a silicone material.

17. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said compression member is made of an elastic material.

18. The stimulator of claim 12, wherein said compression member comprises at least one of a compression band and a silicone body integrally molded into said housing of said stimulator.

19. A system comprising:

a stimulator having an orifice within a housing thereof, said orifice having an opening in communication with an outer surface of said housing; and

a septum assembly coupled to said stimulator and configured to cover said opening of said orifice;

wherein said septum assembly comprises

first and second housing components each defined by at least an inner surface,

a first sealing strip disposed at least partially on said inner surface of said first housing component,

a second sealing strip disposed at least partially on said inner surface of said second housing component, and

a compression member at least partially surrounding said housing components;

wherein said first and second sealing strips are configured to create a seal over said opening of said orifice.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said compression member is configured to exert a force on said first and second housing components such that said first and second sealing strips are in contact one with another to create a seal therebetween.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising a lead extension assembly coupled to said stimulator, wherein said septum assembly is configured to be disposed within said lead extension assembly.

22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a header assembly coupled to said stimulator, wherein said septum assembly is configured to be disposed within said header assembly.