Quick connector to medical electrical lead
First Claim
1. A quick connector for a neural stimulator lead or a cardiac pacing lead including:
- a rod-type extension, an elastomeric sleeve slidably mounted on said rod-type extension, a tube mounted in permanent assembly with one end of said rod-type extension, the tube being split at an outer end to provide a pair of jaw-like tube segments which extend in divergent relation when in an open position, each of the segments having a series of longitudinally spaced rearwardly extending barbs, a guide wire having an axially inner end co-axially embedded in said extension and an axially outer end projecting axially outwardly between said diverging jaw-like tube segments, and one end of a medical electrical lead being co-axially mounted over the guide wire, the lead having a tubular insulation sheath and axially spaced coils of a coiled conductor within the sheath and being positioned between the diverging jaw-like tube segments in radially disposed relation to the barbs, the rod-type extension and the elastomeric sleeve being axially movable relative to one another and operable to cause the diverging jaw-like tube segments to move radially inwardly into a closed position and to cause the barbs carried on the thus moved segments to become embedded in the coiled conductor for locking the medical electrical lead in fixed assembly with said rod-type extension.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The quick connector includes an elastomeric sleeve, a rod slidable in the sleeve, and a tube mounted in permanent assembly with one end of the rod. The tube is split at an outer end providing a pair of jaw-like tube segments which extend in divergent relation when in an open position. Each of the segments has a series of longitudinally spaced rearwardly extending barbs. A guide wire having an axially inner end is co-axially embedded in the rod and an axially outer end of the guide wire projects axially outwardly between the diverging jaw-like tube segments. A medical electrical lead is co-axially mounted over the guide wire and between the diverging jaw-like tube segments in radially disposed relation to the barbs. The lead includes a tubular insulation sheath and a coiled conductor in the sheath. The rod and the elastomeric sleeve are axially movable relative to one another after the diverging jaw-like tube segments are moved radially inwardly into a closed position to cause the barbs carried on the thus moved segments to become embedded in the coiled conductor for locking the lead in fixed assembly with the rod.
84 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A quick connector for a neural stimulator lead or a cardiac pacing lead including:
- a rod-type extension, an elastomeric sleeve slidably mounted on said rod-type extension, a tube mounted in permanent assembly with one end of said rod-type extension, the tube being split at an outer end to provide a pair of jaw-like tube segments which extend in divergent relation when in an open position, each of the segments having a series of longitudinally spaced rearwardly extending barbs, a guide wire having an axially inner end co-axially embedded in said extension and an axially outer end projecting axially outwardly between said diverging jaw-like tube segments, and one end of a medical electrical lead being co-axially mounted over the guide wire, the lead having a tubular insulation sheath and axially spaced coils of a coiled conductor within the sheath and being positioned between the diverging jaw-like tube segments in radially disposed relation to the barbs, the rod-type extension and the elastomeric sleeve being axially movable relative to one another and operable to cause the diverging jaw-like tube segments to move radially inwardly into a closed position and to cause the barbs carried on the thus moved segments to become embedded in the coiled conductor for locking the medical electrical lead in fixed assembly with said rod-type extension.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- 13. A quick connector for a neural stimulator lead or a cardiac pacing lead including a rod-type extension, an elastomeric sleeve relatively inert to body fluids slidably mounted on said rod-type extension, said sleeve having an axially extending passageway and a chamber between its ends having a diameter greater than the diameter of said passageway, a tube fixed to one end of said rod-type extension, said tube being split at an outer end to provide a pair of jaw-like tube segments which extend in divergent relation when in an open position prior to assembly, each of said segments having a series of longitudinally spaced barbs, a guide wire having an axially extending inner end co-axially embedded in said extension and an axially extending outer end projecting axially outwardly between said diverging jaw-like tube segments, and a medical electrical lead proximal end co-axially mounted over said guide wire and having a tubular insulative sheath and axially spaced coils of a coiled conductor therein, the lead proximal end being positioned between said diverging jaw-like tube segments in radially disposed relation to said barbs, said rod-type extension and said elastomeric sleeve being axially movable relative to one another and operable to cause said diverging jaw-like tube segments to move radially inwardly into a closed position and to cause said barbs carried on the thus moved segments to become embedded in the coiled conductor for locking the medical electrical lead in fixed assembly with said rod-type extension as said tube is moved axially into said chamber.
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21. A method for forming a terminal electrode assembly at the proximal end of a medical electrical lead of the type comprising a tubular sheath and a coiled conductor within the sheath, said method comprising:
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providing gripping means including a jaw formation with teeth capable of piercing the sheath and capable of making electrical connection with the coiled conductor; providing a sleeve made of a flexible, insulative material into which said gripping means can be pulled; providing a terminal pin with excess length which is coupled at one end to said gripping means and which can extend through said sleeve; placing said gripping means over the proximal end of the medical electrical lead; folding said jaw formation into and about the proximal end of the lead; inserting said terminal pin into and through the sleeve; pulling said terminal pin through a major portion of said sleeve to pull said gripping means and the lead proximal end into the sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A terminal electrode assembly for connecting to a proximal end of a medical electrical lead of the type comprising a tubular sheath and a coiled conductor within the sheath, said assembly comprising;
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gripping means including a jaw formation having teeth capable of piercing the sheath to make electrical contact with the coiled conductor; a sleeve of flexible insulative material into which said gripping means can be pulled; and a terminal pin with excess length which is coupled at one end to said gripping means and which can extend through said sleeve when said terminal pin is inserted in said sleeve after said jaw formation is folded into and about the lead proximal end. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A quick connector assembly for creating and securing a terminal electrode assembly to the proximal end of a medical electrical lead, such as a pacing lead or a neural stimilator lead, said connector/terminal electrode assembly comprising a sleeve of insulative flexible material having a distal end, a proximal end, a cavity therein and first and second bores, smaller-in-cross-section than said cavity, in the distal and proximal ends respectively of said sleeve, a rod received within said bores and having a distal end and a proximal end extending out of said second bore, a metal sleeve having a proximal end fixed to the distal end of said rod and a bifurcated distal end which includes a first arm and a second arm and which extends out of said first bore, said arms initially being spread apart, each arm having projections facing each other and being capable of being folded into a proximal end of a lead having an outer insulation sheath and a coiled conductor within the sheath such that the projections pierce the sheath and make electrical contact with the coiled conductor, said rod being inserted into said sleeve through said first bore and being capable of being pulled through said second bore.
Specification