In-line pacemaker connector system

• US 4,898,173 A
• Filed: 06/12/1989
• Issued: 02/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Daglow, Terry D., Sandstrom, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Application Number:
  US07/364,300
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 P, 128/419 R, 128/419 PS, 439/86, 439/585, 439/586, 439/669, 439/20, 439/22
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A connector system for use in coupling an implantable electrical lead to an implantable pulse generator, or other implantable electrical apparatus. The connector system includes a connector pin assembly, typically mounted to the implantable lead and a connector block, typically mounted to the electrical stimulator. The connector block is provided with a lumen, in which a plurality of resilient, elastomeric rings are lineraly arranged. the rings are so sized as to frictionally engage a connector pin which is provided with a plurality of conductive pads, each coupled to a conductor within the implantable lead. Certain ones of the elastomeric rings are conductive, and engage with the conductive pads on the connector pin. Others of the rings are nonconductive and act as insulators and fluid seals. The connector pin assembly is also provided with a circumferential groove, which interlocks with the deflectable beam members of a retainer mounted to the connector block. An alternative connector block embodiment employs a metallic spring element to contact conductive areas on the connector pin.

Claims

1. An electrical connector system for coupling a medical, electrical lead to a medical device, comprising:

a connector housing mounted to said medical device, said connector housing including a longitudinal lumen, open at its distal end;

at least one electrical conductor extending from said medical device into said longitudinal lumen;

a plurality of resilient non-metallic generally ring shaped members each having a central opening of a first diameter mounted adjacent one another in said longitudinal lumen of said connector housing, wherein at least one of said plurality of ring shaped members is conductive and wherein at least a second one of said plurality of ring shaped members is non-conductive, and wherein said at least one conductive ring shaped member is mounted in electrical contact with said conductor extending from said medical device; and

a connector pin, insertable within said longitudinal lumen of said connector block and coupled to said medical electrical lead, said connector pin having a second, outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of said ring shaped members when located in said connector housing, whereby when said connector pin is inserted through said openings of said ring shaped members, said ring shaped members are compressed against said connector pin, said connector pin further comprising at least one conductive and at least one circumferential, non-conductive area arranged linearly along said connector pin such that when said connector pin is inserted into the lumen of said connector housing, said at least one conductive area on said connector pin contacts said at least one conductive ring shaped member and wherein said at least one non-conductive area of said connector pin contacts said at least one non-conductive ring shaped member.

2. A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of ring shaped members includes at least two conductive ring shaped members, and at least one insulative ring shaped member arranged linearly along said longitudinal lumen of said connector housing such that said insulative one of said ring shaped members is intermediate said at least two conductive ring shaped members.

3. A connector system according to claim 2 further comprising at least two electrical conductors, each extending from said medical device into said longitudinal lumen of said connector block and into electrical contact with one of said at least two electrically conductive ring shaped members.

4. A connector system according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said connector pin is provided with at least two conductive areas longitudinally spaced from one another on said connector pin such that said circumferential insulative area of said connector pin is located between said at least two conductive areas.

5. A connector block assembly for use with an electrical medical device for coupling said medical device to an electrical lead, comprising:

a connector housing having a longitudinal lumen having a distal end open to the exterior of said connector housing and a plurality of bores generally perpendicular to said longitudinal lumen, open to said longitudinal lumen and to a single exterior face of said connector housing; and

a plurality of insulative and non-insulative resilient, non-metallic, ring shaped members having central orifices arranged linearly within the lumen of said connector housing with their central orifices axially aligned, said conductive ones of said ring shaped members exposed to said generally perpendicular bores, and each conductive ring shaped members separated from each other ring shaped conductive member by at least one insulative, ring shaped member.