Sealing device for an electrical connector and method therefor

• US 4,485,268 A
• Filed: 06/13/1983
• Issued: 11/27/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Kaplan, Morton R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzales, John F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NIMMO, MORRIS
• Application Number:
  US06/503,855
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 174/71 R, 174/76, 174/84 C, 174/138 F, 29/862, 29/863, 128/419 P, 128/642, 128/784, 128/785, 128/786
• US Class Current: 174/84.00C
• 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 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49183 of ferrule about conductor and terminal

Abstract

A sealing device for a wire splice. An insulative tube with a reservoir positioned transverse to and communicating with the insulative tube is adapted to receive a wire splice. A septum within the reservoir at least partially divides the reservoir substantially transverse to the insulative tube. An insulative fluid may then be forced through the reservoir into the insulative tube surrounding the wire splice. A connector for electrical wires is formed from a conductive tube adapted to receive the ends of the electrical wires to be connected and capable of being crimped onto the electrical wires. A sealing device may then be positioned over the conductive tube and an insulative viscous fluid may be forced through the reservoir into the insulative tube surrounding the conductive tube in order that the electrical wires may be electrically connected and insulated.

Claims

1. A sealing device for a wire splice, comprising:

an insulative tube adapted to receive said wire splice;

a reservoir positioned transverse to and communicating with said insulative tube; and

a septum within said reservoir at least partially dividing said reservoir substantially transverse to said insulative tube;

whereby an insulative viscous fluid may be placed within said reservoir and may be forced from said reservoir into said insulative tube for surrounding said wire splice.

2. A sealing device as in claim 1 wherein said septum divides said reservoir at the point where said reservoir communicates with said insulative tube.

3. A sealing device as in claim 2 wherein said reservoir is shaped to be elongate along the axis of said insulative tube.

4. A sealing device as in claim 3 wherein said insulative tube and said reservoir are constructed from a silicone polymer.

5. A sealing device as in claim 4 wherein said insulative tube and said reservoir are biocompatible.

6. A sealing device for a wire splice, comprising:

an insulative tube adapted to receive said wire splice;

a reservoir positioned transverse to and communicating with said insulative tube;

a septum within said reservoir at least partially dividing said reservoir substantially transverse to said insulative tube; and

an insulative viscous fluid located within said reservoir on both sides of said septum;

whereby said insulative viscous fluid may be forced from said reservoir into said insulative tube for surrounding said wire splice.

7. A sealing device as in claim 6 wherein said septum divides said reservoir at the point where said reservoir communicates with said insulative tube.

8. A sealing device as in claim 7 wherein said reservoir is shaped to be elongate along the axis of said insulative tube.

9. A sealing device as in claim 7 wherein said insulative tube and said reservoir are constructed from a silicone polymer.

10. A sealing device as in claim 7 wherein said insulative viscous fluid is bone wax.

11. A sealing device as in claim 7 wherein said viscous fluid is a medical grade silicone elastomeric polymer.

12. A connector for electrical wires, comprising:

a conductive tube adapted to receive the ends of said electrical wires to be connected and capable of being crimped onto said electrical wires;

an insulative tube adapted to be positioned over said conductive tube;

a reservoir positioned transverse to and communicating with said insulative tube and positioned near said conductive tube;

a septum located within said reservoir at least partially dividing said reservoir substantially transverse to said insulative tube; and

whereby an insulative viscous fluid may be forced from said reservoir into said insulative tube surrounding said conductive tube in order that said electrical wires may be electrically connected and insulated.

13. A connector as in claim 12 wherein said septum is positioned over said conductive tube.

14. A connector as in claim 13 wherein said reservoir is shaped to be elongate along the axis of said insulative tube.

15. A connector as in claim 14 wherein said insulative tube and said reservoir are constructed from a silicone polymer.

16. A method of making an insulated implantable electrical connection, comprising the steps of:

slipping an insulator, said insulator consisting of insulative tube with a reservoir positioned transverse to and communicating with said insulative tube with an internal septum located within said reservoir at least partially dividing said reservoir transverse to said insulative tube, over a first wire to be connected;

inserting said first wire to be connected and a second wire to be connected into a crimpable, conductive tube;

crimping said conductive tube to both said first and second wires;

repositioning said insulative tube over said conductive tube; and

forcing an insulative viscous fluid from said reservoir into said insulative tube to surround said conductive tube.