Implantable Medical Device Connector System

• US 20100217340A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ams Research Corporation (Endo International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ams Research Corporation (Endo International PLC)
• Inventors: Watschke, Brian P., Buysman, John Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/710,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20100217340A1
• 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 4/18 by crimping H01R4/01, H01R4/2495 take precedence; for coaxial cables H01R9/0518
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/5083 using a wedge

Abstract

An implantable medical stimulation device is provided including non-weld connections between one or more feed-through conductors and electrical contacts of a connector block for the device. The device can be configured for implantation into a pelvic region of a patient to provide muscle and/or nerve stimulation that is used to control and/or treat a pelvic condition of the patient, such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction or other pelvic conditions. The non-weld connections serve to simplify connectivity by providing an insertable wedge-like member, or a crimping member, adapted to facilitate selective electrical connectivity.

Claims

1. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:

a control unit including;

electronic circuitry;

a feed-through conductor operably coupleable to the electronic circuitry and extendable outside of the control unit;

a header including a connector block having an electrical contact, and an opening adjacent the electrical contact configured to receive an end of the feed-through conductor;

an access port to the opening adjacent the electrical contact; and

a member insertable through the access port, between an interior wall of the opening and the end of the feed-through conductor, to secure the conductor in electrical communication with the electrical contact.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is generally tapered to define a wedge member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the member or the end of the feed-through conductor is generally deformable.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is electrically conductive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the feed-through conductor includes an electrode adapted for stimulating tissue.

6. The device of claim 1, further including means for sealing off at least a portion of the access port to prevent fluid from entering the access port.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the feed-through conductor further includes a lead body extending outside of the control unit.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted for implantation under the skin of the abdomen or genital region of a patient.

9. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:

a device housing including electronics;

a feed-through conductor operably coupleable to the electronics and extendable outside of the device housing; and

a header including a connector block having an electrical contact, and an opening adjacent the electrical contact configured to receive an end of the feed-through conductor; and

a crimping member adjacent the electrical contact and adapted to secure the end of the conductor in electrical communication with the electrical contact.

10. The device of claim 9, further including a crimping tool adapted to crimp the crimping member.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the crimping member is a deformable tube member.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the crimping member is electrically conductive.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein a distal end of the feed-through conductor includes an electrode adapted for stimulating tissue.

14. The device of claim 9, further including means for sealing off at least a portion of the opening to prevent fluid from entering the opening.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the feed-through conductor further includes a lead body extending outside of the control unit.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the device housing is adapted for implantation under the skin of the abdomen or genital region of a patient.

17. A method of providing electrical stimulation to a patient, comprising:

providing an implantable stimulator device adapted for implantation in a patient, the implantable stimulator device including a control unit and a header, the control unit housing electronics, and the header including a connector block having an electrical contact and an opening adjacent the electrical contact, with a feed-through conductor operably and electrically coupleable to the electronics;

inserting an end of the feed-through conductor into the opening;

manipulating a member to provide electrical communication between the feed-through conductor and the electrical contact; and

implanting the stimulator device in the pelvic region of the patient.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the member is a tapered wedge member.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the member is a crimping member.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the member is electrically conductive.