MULTI-FUNCTION LEAD IMPLANT TOOL

• US 20110160824A1
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• 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: Halvorson, Robbie, Woodcox, Bradley, Ware, Eric A., Reddy, G. Shantanu
• Granted Patent: US 9,302,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for implanting and testing multi-conductor electrical leads are disclosed. An illustrative implant tool for use with an implantable lead includes a main body, a plurality of spring contact members, and a knob mechanism. The main body of the implant tool includes a distal clamping mechanism with an opening adapted to frictionally receive a terminal boot of the implantable lead. The spring contact members are configured to provide an interface for connecting electrical connectors from a Pacing System Analyzer (PSA) or other testing device to the terminal contacts on the implantable lead. A knob mechanism coupled to the main body can be actuated to engage a terminal pin of the implantable lead, allowing an implanting physician to engage a fixation helix into body tissue by rotating the mechanism.

Claims

1. An implant tool for use with an implantable lead, the implant tool comprising:

a main body having a distal clamping section, a proximal section, and an interior lumen, the distal clamping section including an opening adapted to frictionally receive a terminal boot of the implantable lead;

a plurality of spring contact members coupled to the main body; and

a knob mechanism coupled to the main body, the knob mechanism actuatable between a first position configured to frictionally engage a terminal pin of the implantable lead and a second position configured to disengage the implant tool from the terminal pin to facilitate torque release.

2. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a number of levers configured to adjust the size of the opening for creating a friction-fit between the main body and the terminal end of the implantable lead.

3. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein the distal clamping section of the main body includes a slot and a number of indicator arrows for confirming the positioning of the terminal boot within the implant tool.

4. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein the knob mechanism includes a collet coupled to a knob.

5. The implant tool of claim 4, wherein the knob includes a funneled opening configured for receiving a stiffening member.

6. The implant tool of claim 5, wherein the knob opening includes a wiper blade and a lubrication device.

7. The implant tool of claim 4, wherein the collet includes a collet body having a first section secured to an interior portion of the knob and a second section configured to engage a clutch mechanism of the main body.

8. The implant tool of claim 7, wherein the collet body includes a gripping sleeve configured to frictionally receive the terminal pin in said first position.

9. The implant tool of claim 7, wherein the collet body includes a flared distal opening configured to receive a proximal end of the terminal pin in said second position.

10. The implant tool of claim 7, wherein the knob mechanism further includes a self-braking mechanism configured for eliminating recoil of the knob during rotation of the knob mechanism.

11. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein each spring contact member includes a clip having an exterior facing surface configured to receive an electrical connector and an interior facing surface configured to engage an electrical contact on the terminal end of the implantable lead.

12. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring contact members are aligned laterally from each other along a length of the implant tool.

13. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring contact members includes:

a first spring contact clip configured to engage the terminal pin of the implantable lead; and

a second spring contact clip configured to engage a ring contact of the implantable lead.

14. The implant tool of claim 13, further comprising at least one additional spring contact clip configured to engage a contact of the implantable lead.

15. The implant tool of claim 1, wherein each spring contact member includes a body having a first end bendable relative to a second end.

16. A system for implanting and testing an implantable lead within the body of a patient, the system comprising:

an implantable lead; and

an implant tool comprising;

a main body having a distal clamping section, a proximal section, and an interior lumen, the distal clamping section including an opening adapted to frictionally receive a terminal boot of the implantable lead;

a plurality of spring contact members coupled to the main body; and

a knob mechanism coupled to the main body, the knob mechanism actuatable between a first position configured to frictionally engage a terminal pin of the implantable lead and a second position configured to disengage from the terminal pin.

17. A method for using an implant tool for implanting and testing an implantable lead within a body, the method comprising:

coupling an implant tool to a terminal end of an implantable lead, the implant tool including;

a main body having a distal clamping section, a proximal section, and an interior lumen, the distal clamping section including an opening adapted to frictionally receive a terminal boot of the implantable lead;

a plurality of spring contact members coupled to the main body; and

a knob mechanism coupled to the main body, the knob mechanism actuatable between a first position configured to frictionally engage a terminal pin of the implantable lead and a second position configured to disengage from the terminal pin;

implanting the lead at a location within the body;

actuating the knob mechanism to the first position and rotating the knob one or more turns to rotatably engage the terminal pin;

actuating the knob mechanism to the second position to relieve any torque applied to the implantable lead during rotation of the knob; and

removing the implant tool from the implantable lead.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the implant tool to the terminal end of the implantable lead includes:

depressing a number of levers on the main body;

inserting the terminal end of the implantable lead into the opening; and

aligning the terminal end of the implantable lead within the implant tool.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the knob includes an opening, a wiper blade, and a lubrication device, and wherein the wiper blade and lubrication device is configured to contact and clean the stiffening member when inserted into the knob opening.

20. The method of claim 17, further including:

connecting a number of electrical connectors of a testing device to the spring contact members; and

testing the implantable lead.