TERMINAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD

• US 20110159748A1
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Arnholt, Devon N., Fruci, Angelo, Lim, Lily, Hall, Peter C., Walker, Joseph, Schultz, Steven E., Kunkel, Ronald W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/669
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49171 with encapsulating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49172 by molding of insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.

Claims

1. A terminal connector assembly for a medical electrical lead comprising:

an inner tubular member;

a first terminal ring electrode disposed over the inner tubular member, the terminal ring electrode comprising;

a first lumen having a generally D-shaped cross-section and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an upper portion including a second lumen extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel the first longitudinal axis and a blind hole having a lower surface formed in an outer surface of the upper portion such that it is disposed over the second lumen; and

a lower portion including at least one aperture extending there through;

a first cable conductor mechanically and electrically coupled within the second lumen of the first terminal ring electrode;

a second terminal ring electrode disposed over the inner tubular member such that it is radially offset from the first terminal ring electrode; and

an insulator disposed over the inner tubular member and between the first and second terminal ring electrodes such that the first and second terminal ring electrodes are electrically isolated from one another.

2. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal ring electrode comprises a first lumen having a generally D-shaped cross-section and defining a first longitudinal axis, an upper portion including a second lumen extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel the first longitudinal axis and a blind hole formed in an outer surface of the upper portion such that it is disposed over the second lumen, and a lower portion including at least one aperture extending there through.

3. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal ring electrode is radially offset from the first terminal ring electrode by about 64°

.

4. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second cable conductor mechanically and electrically coupled to the second terminal ring electrode.

5. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a third terminal ring electrode disposed over the inner tubular member such that it is radially offset from the second terminal ring electrode and wherein the third terminal ring electrode is electrically isolated by the insulator from the first and second terminal ring electrodes.

6. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a terminal pin coupled to a coiled conductor extending within the inner tubular member.

7. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the insulator comprises a polyether plastic.

8. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the D-shaped cross-section comprises a generally flat upper portion and a curved lower portion wherein a maximum depth of the D-shaped cross-section when measured between the upper flat portion and the lower curved portion is about 0.0885 inches.

9. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a maximum width of the D-shaped cross-section is equal to about 74% of an outer diameter of the terminal ring electrode.

10. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the maximum width is about 0.094 inches.

11. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the upper portion of the terminal ring electrode is about 0.03 inches.

12. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a maximum thickness measured between an outer surface and inner surface of the first terminal ring electrode at a sidewall is about 0.01635 inches.

13. The terminal connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connector assembly meets the specifications set forth in ISO/FDIS 27186 regarding IS-4 terminal connectors.

14. A medical electrical lead comprising a terminal connector assembly as recited by claim 1.

15. A medical electrical lead comprising:

a polymeric lead body including a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one cable conductor extending within the lead body from the proximal end to a first electrode located on the lead body, wherein the electrode is operatively coupled to the cable conductor;

a coiled conductor extending within the lead body from the proximal end to a second electrode located on the lead body, wherein the second electrode is operatively coupled to the coiled conductor; and

a terminal connector assembly coupled to the proximal end of the lead body, the terminal connector assembly comprising;

an inner tubular member;

a terminal ring electrode disposed over the inner tubular member, the terminal electrode ring including a first lumen having a generally D-shaped cross-section and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an upper portion including a second lumen extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel the first longitudinal axis and a blind hole having a lower surface formed in an outer surface of the upper portion such that it is disposed over the second lumen; and

a lower portion including at least one aperture extending there through;

an insulator; and

a terminal pin,

wherein the cable conductor is mechanically and electrically coupled within the second lumen of the terminal ring electrode and the coiled conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal pin.

16. A method of assembling a terminal connector assembly comprising the steps of:

positioning a first terminal ring electrode over an inner tubular member, the first terminal ring electrode comprising a first lumen having a generally D-shaped cross-section and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an upper portion including a second lumen extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel the first longitudinal axis and a blind hole having a lower surface formed in an outer surface of the upper portion such that it is disposed over the second lumen; and

a lower portion including at least one aperture extending there through;

positioning at least a second terminal ring electrode over the tubular member such that it is radially offset from the first terminal ring electrode;

the second terminal ring electrode comprising a first lumen having a generally D-shaped cross-section and defining a first longitudinal axis;

an upper portion including a second lumen extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel the first longitudinal axis and a blind hole having a lower surface formed in an outer surface of the upper portion such that it is disposed over the second lumen; and

a lower portion including at least one aperture extending there through;

molding an insulator over the inner tubular member and the first and second terminal ring electrodes; and

mechanically and electrically coupling a first cable conductor to the first terminal electrode and a second cable conductor to the second terminal electrode.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a position of the first and second terminal ring electrodes over the inner tubular member.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

inserting a core pin into the second lumens of each of the first and second terminal ring electrodes.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of mechanically and electrically coupling the first and second cable conductors to the first and second terminal ring electrodes, respectively, comprises applying an external, downward pressure to the lower surfaces of the blind holes provided in the outer surface of each of the inner ring electrodes.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of mechanically and electrically coupling the first and second cable conductors to the first and second terminal ring electrodes, respectively, comprises maintaining an outer and inner geometry of each of the first and second terminal ring electrodes.