Sidelock pacer lead connector
First Claim
1. A tissue stimulator comprising:
- a housing having therein means for generating electrical pulse, and a source of electrical energy connected to said pulse generating means;
at least one electrical conductor extending between the tissue to be stimulated and said housing, each said at least one conductor having an electrode at one end for attachment to the tissue to be stimulated and a lead at the other end;
at least one bore in said housing adapted to receive therein a respective lead and electrical contact means located at one end of each said bore and electrically connected to said pulse generating means, each said bore having a longitudinal axis; and
locking means for fixing said conductor lead end against withdrawal from said bore including a channel transversely intersecting said bore off-axis, and at least one wedge member slidingly received in said channel for axial movement therealong to engage a side of said conductor adjacent said lead end and wedge said conductor in place within said bore.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector for a lead of a tissue stimulator such as a cardiac pacer uses a wedging element to fix the lead against inadvertent withdrawal from the pacer header. A wedge member is received in a channel which intersects a bore in the header in which the lead is inserted for connection with a pulse generator. When the wedging member is pressed into its channel, as by simple finger pressure, it engages the lead off-axis, e.g. along a tangent, and forces the lead into tight engagement with the sidewall of the header bore. A present embodiment is adapted for use with a lead which has a deformable covering. The wedge member has a concavity formed therein within which the lead seats. A first end of the wedge member has an upraised portion which is hump-shaped. This upraised portion first cams the lead into engagement with the bore sidewall, and then passes beyond the lead by deforming the lead covering. The lead then seats in the concavity. This serves to not only lock the lead within the bore, but also prevent the wedge member from being dislodged, since it is in turn now located in place by the lead. The wedge member is preferably located on a lateral side of the header so that it is readily accessible for use. Embodiments are disclosed for use with single bore as well as double bore headers.
150 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A tissue stimulator comprising:
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a housing having therein means for generating electrical pulse, and a source of electrical energy connected to said pulse generating means; at least one electrical conductor extending between the tissue to be stimulated and said housing, each said at least one conductor having an electrode at one end for attachment to the tissue to be stimulated and a lead at the other end; at least one bore in said housing adapted to receive therein a respective lead and electrical contact means located at one end of each said bore and electrically connected to said pulse generating means, each said bore having a longitudinal axis; and locking means for fixing said conductor lead end against withdrawal from said bore including a channel transversely intersecting said bore off-axis, and at least one wedge member slidingly received in said channel for axial movement therealong to engage a side of said conductor adjacent said lead end and wedge said conductor in place within said bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tissue stimulator comprising:
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a housing assembly containing; means for generating an electric pulse, a source of electrical energy connected to said pulse generating means, a pair of electrical conductors extending between the tissue to be stimulated and said housing assembly, each conductor having an electrode at one end for attachment to the tissue to be stimulated and a lead at the other end, means for electrically coupling each of said leads to said pulse generating means, said electrical coupling means being located at an inner end of each of a pair of parallel bores within which a respective conductor lead end is received, each bore having a longitudinal axis, and locking means for fixing each conductor lead end against withdrawal from said bore and including a channel transversely intersecting both of said bores off-axis, and at least one wedge member slidingly received in said channel for axial movement therealong to engage a side of a respective conductor adjacent said lead end and wedge said lead in place within its respective bore. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification