SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING IMPROVED CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS

• US 20120259386A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Pandit, Aditya Vasudeo, DeRohan, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,682,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/18 with the spring member surrounding the socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A connector for an implantable medical device includes a lumen extending from a port defined along a length of a connector housing. Axially-spaced-apart connector couplers are disposed along the lumen and are configured to couple to a proximal end of an inserted lead or lead extension. Each of the connector couplers includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced-apart coupling members and at least one elastic member. The plurality of circumferentially-spaced-apart coupling members each have inner surfaces and outer surfaces. The inner surfaces of the coupling members are configured and arranged to couple to the proximal end of the lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen. The at least one elastic member couples the coupling members to one another such that a distance between the coupling members is expandable.

Claims

1. A connector for an implantable medical device, the connector comprising:

an elongated connector housing having a first end, a second end, and a length, the connector housing defining a port at the second end of the connector housing, the port configured and arranged for receiving a proximal end of a lead or lead extension;

a lumen that extends from the port along at least a portion of the length of the connector housing; and

a plurality of axially-spaced-apart connector couplers disposed along the lumen such that the connector couplers are each exposed within the lumen, the connector couplers configured and arranged for coupling to a proximal end of a lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen, wherein each of the connector couplers comprises

a plurality of circumferentially-spaced-apart coupling members each having inner surfaces and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surfaces of the coupling members are configured and arranged to couple to the proximal end of the lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen, and

at least one elastic member coupling the coupling members to one another such that a distance between the coupling members is expandable.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein for each of the connector couplers the inner surfaces of the coupling members are connector contacts configured and arranged to electrically couple with a terminal of the lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic member is formed as at least one coiled spring.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer surfaces of the coupling members define at least one groove, and wherein the at least one elastic member is formed as at least one elastic band at least partially disposed around the coupling members such that at least a portion of the at least one elastic band is disposed in the at least one groove.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic member is formed as a sleeve disposed around the outer surfaces of the coupling members.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling members are chamfered to facilitate insertion of the lead or lead extension into the lumen.

7. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief disposed at a first end of the connector housing.

8. The connector of claim 1, further comprising an end stop disposed at a first end of the connector housing.

9. The connector of claim 1, further comprising at least one connector flange extending outwardly tangentially from connector housing, the at least one connector flange providing a surface to couple the connector assembly to patient tissue.

10. The connector of claim 9, further comprising a retaining element for retaining a proximal end of the lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen, the retaining element defining an aperture configured and arranged to receive a fastener for coupling to the inserted lead or lead extension, wherein the aperture extends in a direction that is parallel to the at least one connector flange.

11. An electrical stimulating system comprising:

a lead comprising

a lead body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length,

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead,

a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead, and

a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals;

a control module electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, the control module comprising

a housing, and

an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing;

a lead extension having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the lead extension is coupleable with the control module; and

the connector of claim 1 coupled to the distal end of the lead extension;

wherein the proximal end of the lead is configured and arranged for insertion into the port of the connector.

12. An electrical stimulating system comprising:

a lead comprising

a lead body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length,

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead,

a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead, and

a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals;

a control module electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, the control module comprising

a housing, and

an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing;

the connector of claim 1 coupled to the control module;

wherein the proximal end of the lead is configured and arranged for insertion into the port of the connector.

13. A connector for an implantable medical device, the connector comprising:

an elongated connector housing having a first end, a second end, and a length, the connector housing defining a port at the second end of the connector housing, the port configured and arranged for receiving a proximal end of a lead or lead extension;

a lumen that extends from the port along at least a portion of the length of the connector housing;

a plurality of axially-spaced-apart, substantially-cylindrical connector contact housings disposed along the lumen, the plurality of connector contact housings each having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein for each connector contact housing the inner diameter forms a portion of a wall of the lumen; and

a plurality of spherically-shaped connector contacts disposed on or in each of the connector contact housings such that at least a portion of each of the connector contacts extends into the lumen, wherein for each connector contact housing each of the plurality of connector contacts are configured and arranged for coupling to a different single terminal disposed on a proximal end of a lead or lead extension when the proximal end of the lead or lead extension is inserted into the lumen.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein for each connector contact housing the plurality of connector contacts are disposed in at least one pocket defined in the connector contact housing.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the at least one pocket is open along the inner diameter of the connector contact housing.

16. The connector of claim 14, wherein the at least one pocket is open along the outer diameter of the connector contact housing.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the plurality of connector contacts are disposed on or in each of the connector contact housings such that a portion of each of the connector contacts extends outward from the at least one pocket beyond the outer diameter of the connector contact housing.

18. The connector of claim 17, further comprising elastic material disposed over the connector housing such that the elastic material abuts the portion of the at least one pocket that opens along the outer diameter of the connector contact housing.

19. The connector of claim 13, wherein for each of the plurality of connector contacts the connector contact is configured and arranged to retract radially outward when the connector contact contacts the proximal end of the lead or lead extension inserted into the lumen, while remaining coupled to the proximal end of the lead or lead extension.

20. The connector of claim 13, at least five connector contacts are disposed on each connector contact housing.