CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrical stimulation system, comprising:
- an electrical stimulation lead, comprisinga lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length,a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body,a proximal connector body disposed at the proximal end of the lead body,a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal connector body, anda plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes; and
a lead extension, comprisingan extension body having a distal end, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length,a plurality of terminal disposed along the proximal end portion of the extension body,a distal connector body disposed at the distal end of the extension body,a plurality of conductive contacts disposed along the distal connector body, anda plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of conductive contacts;
wherein the proximal connector body of the electrical stimulation lead and the distal connector body of the lead extension are configured and arranged to be joined together opposite each other to form a connector with the terminals of the electrical stimulation lead interlocking with, and electrically coupled to, the conductive contacts of the lead extension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector to couple an electrical stimulation lead to a lead extension can include lead terminals and extension connector contacts that interlock with each other. Another connector can include lead terminals and extension connector contacts that form a hook and loop fastener. Yet another connector defines a lumen for receiving a proximal portion of an electrical stimulation lead and a side-loading slit extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal surface of the connector and extending inwardly to the lumen for side-loading the electrical stimulation lead into the lumen through the side-loading slit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical stimulation system, comprising:
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an electrical stimulation lead, comprising a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body, a proximal connector body disposed at the proximal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal connector body, and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes; and a lead extension, comprising an extension body having a distal end, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of terminal disposed along the proximal end portion of the extension body, a distal connector body disposed at the distal end of the extension body, a plurality of conductive contacts disposed along the distal connector body, and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of conductive contacts; wherein the proximal connector body of the electrical stimulation lead and the distal connector body of the lead extension are configured and arranged to be joined together opposite each other to form a connector with the terminals of the electrical stimulation lead interlocking with, and electrically coupled to, the conductive contacts of the lead extension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electrical stimulation system, comprising:
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an electrical stimulation lead, comprising a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body, a proximal connector body disposed at the proximal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal connector body, and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes; and a lead extension, comprising an extension body having a distal end, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the extension body, a distal connector body disposed at the distal end of the extension body, a plurality of conductive contacts disposed along the distal connector body, and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of conductive contacts; wherein the proximal connector body of the electrical stimulation lead and the distal connector body of the lead extension are configured and arranged to be joined together opposite each other to form a connector with the terminals of the electrical stimulation lead and the conductive contacts of the lead extension jointly forming a conductive, hook and loop fastener to electrically and physically couple the terminals to the conductive contacts. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system, comprising:
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an extension body having a distal end, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the extension body; a distal connector disposed at the distal end of the extension body, the distal connector comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal connector defining a lumen for receiving a proximal portion of an electrical stimulation lead, an end aperture at the distal end of the distal connector from which a lead body of the electrical stimulation lead can extend, and a side-loading slit extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal surface and extending inwardly to the lumen and configured and arranged for side-loading the electrical stimulation lead into the lumen through the side-loading slit; a plurality of conductive contacts disposed along the lumen of the distal connector, each of the conductive contacts having an opening aligned with the side-loading slit; and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of conductive contacts. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification