Electrical connector for implantable electrical generators

• US 4,226,244 A
• Filed: 07/31/1978
• Issued: 10/07/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Med-El Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Coury, Arthur J., Wilary, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/929,315
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 P, 128/419 PG, 128/419 PS
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A preformed electrical connector for use with body implantable stimulators, such as heart pacemakers, having a signal generator and at least one electrical lead electrically and mechanically connected to each other through the preformed electrical connector. The connector carries at least one terminal to establish electrical contact between the signal generator and electric lead, passageways being provided in the connector body to accept and guide the signal generator feedthrough pin and electrical lead into contact with the terminal. In a preferred embodiment, the terminal is provided with intersecting bores such that the feedthrough pin and electrical lead form electrical contact within or by means of the terminal. The pin may be welded or press fit to the terminal and the lead may be attached to the terminal by means of a setscrew. The preformed connector may be mechanically fastened or fastened with an adhesive to the implantable stimulator. The connector may include one or two terminals and may then connect one or two sets of feedthrough pins and respective electrical lead wires.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for attachment to an implantable electrical generator and for connecting an electrical feedthrough lead of the generator to a lead wire, of which there may be one or more of each, comprising:

preformed body means formed of a molded biocompatible plastic material and having one surface thereof adapted to rest on the signal generator for connection thereto, terminal means in said body adapted to receive and connect the feedthrough lead and the lead wire, the terminal means having first and second bore means and the preformed connector means comprising first and second corresponding aperture means respectively associated with the first and second bore means, the first and second aperture means accepting and guiding the feedthrough lead and lead wire respectively into the first and second bore means, and the first bore means extending to the connector surface adapted for contact with the electrical generator.