IMPLANTABLE TISSUE STIMULATOR

• US 3,683,932 A
• Filed: 06/01/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Addison D. Cole
• Original Assignee: Addison D. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Addison D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/041,890
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 128/404,418,419P,419R,421,422
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers

Abstract

An implantable tissue stimulator comprising a metal case enclosing a battery and a pulse generating circuit powered thereby, in which the circuit includes a terminal common to the case and a stimulating terminal extending through and insulated from the case, a flexible probe assembly comprising an exposed electrode adapted to be placed in proximity to and in electrical contact with tissue to be stimulated, and an elongated flexible insulated cable connecting the electrode to a connector part adapted to be secured to the stimulating terminal during implantation.

Claims

1. In a cardiac pacer, the combination of:

a body stimulating electrode;

an electrical contact element;

an elongated flexible insulated conductor having one end connected to said electrode and a second end connected to said contact element, said contact element being mounted in a surrounding plug member of flexible insulating material;

a pair of spaced parallel cylindrical apertures formed in said plug member, one of said apertures communicating with said contact element;

a metal housing having a first terminal inside said housing and a second terminal outside said housing;

a pair of metal posts mounted on and protruding from said housing, said posts extending into and closing said apertures;

an insulated lead through one of said posts from said first terminal to said second terminal, said second terminal engaging said contact element; and

a pulse generating circuit located in said housing and having an output circuit connected between said housing and said first terminal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means forming a threaded recess in said housing;

and screw means cooperating with said recess and securing said plug member to said housing.

3. A cardiac pacer, comprising:

a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material;

a pair of spaced apertures formed in said body and extending from one side thereof along parallel axes from said side to terminations within said body member;

an electrical contact element mounted in said body and communicating with one of said apertures;

an electrode;

an elongated flexible conductor having one end electrically connected to said contact element and a second end connected to said electrode;

insulating means mounted on said flexible conductor;

a metal housing having a first terminal inside said housing and a second terminal outside said housing;

a pair of metal posts mounted on and protruding from said housing extending into and closing said apertures;

an insulated lead extending through one of said posts from said first terminal to said second terminal, said second terminal engaging said contact element; and

a pulse generating circuit located in said housing and having an output circuit connected between said housing and said first terminal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, in which said flexible conductor comprises a tubiform metal helix forming a flexible passageway closed at the electrode end by said electrode, and further comprising means forming a mating passageway through said body member, whereby a stiffener can be passed into said flexible conductor to facilitate insertion of the electrode in a body sinus.

5. A cardiac pacer, comprising:

a conductive metal housing having a generally plane side;

a pulse generating circuit mounted in said housing and having a first output terminal connected to said housing and a second output terminal extending through and insulated from said housing;

a pair of spaced mounting posts formed on said side and projecting from said housing, said second output terminal extending through one of said posts;

a flexible probe assembly comprising an exposed electrode adapted to be placed in proximity to and in electrical contact with cardiac tissue to be stimulated;

a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material having at least one generally plane side;

a pair of spaced, cylindrical apertures formed in said body for receiving said posts and extending along parallel axes from said plane side to terminations within said body member;

an eLectrical contact element mounted in said body, communicating with one of said apertures, and connected to said second output terminal; and

an elongated flexible insulated cable connecting said electrode to said electrical contact element.