Method for making an in-line pacemaker connector system
First Claim
1. A method of manufacture of a connector block assembly for an electrical medical device of the type including one or more electrical conductors extending from said medical device, said method comprising:
- fabricating a connector block having a longitudinal lumen, said longitudinal lumen having an open distal end and one or more bores generally perpendicular to said longitudinal lumen, said bores open to an exterior face of said connector block and to the interior of said longitudinal lumen, the distance from said exterior face of said connector block to said longitudinal lumen being less than the distance which said one or more conductors extend from said medical device;
inserting at least one conductive, non-metallic, resilient, ring shaped member having a central orifice into said longitudinal lumen through the distal end of said lumen such that said central orifice of said member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said lumen, the outer diameter of said member corresponding to the diameter of said longitudinal lumen; and
attaching said connector block to said medical device such that said at least one electrical conductor extends through said at least one bore, into said longitudinal lumen of said connector block and into electrical contact with said at least one conductive ring shaped member.
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Accused Products
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 linearly 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.
209 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of manufacture of a connector block assembly for an electrical medical device of the type including one or more electrical conductors extending from said medical device, said method comprising:
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fabricating a connector block having a longitudinal lumen, said longitudinal lumen having an open distal end and one or more bores generally perpendicular to said longitudinal lumen, said bores open to an exterior face of said connector block and to the interior of said longitudinal lumen, the distance from said exterior face of said connector block to said longitudinal lumen being less than the distance which said one or more conductors extend from said medical device; inserting at least one conductive, non-metallic, resilient, ring shaped member having a central orifice into said longitudinal lumen through the distal end of said lumen such that said central orifice of said member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said lumen, the outer diameter of said member corresponding to the diameter of said longitudinal lumen; and attaching said connector block to said medical device such that said at least one electrical conductor extends through said at least one bore, into said longitudinal lumen of said connector block and into electrical contact with said at least one conductive ring shaped member. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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5. A method of manufacture of a connector for an electrical medical device including one or more electrical conductors extending from said medical device comprising:
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fabricating a connector block having a longitudinal lumen having an open distal end and one or more bores generally perpendicular to said longitudinal lumen, said one or more bores each open to an exterior face of said connector block and to the interior of said lumen; inserting at least one conductive, non-metallic, resilient member having an orifice therethrough into said longitudinal lumen through the distal end of said lumen such that said orifice of said member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said lumen, the outer periphery of said member corresponding to an internal surface of said longitudinal lumen; and attaching said connector block to said medical device such that said at least on electrical conductor extends through said at least one bore and into electrical contact with said at least one conductive member. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 6)
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7. A method of producing a connector pin, adapted to be coupled to a medical electrical lead for connecting said lead to a medical device, comprising:
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selecting an elongated insulative conductor pin; depositing first and second conductive paths extending longitudinally along said connector pin, said first and second conductive paths terminating in first and second conductive areas, respectively, circumferentially displaced from and electrically insulated from one another, deposited on the surface of said connector pin and coupled to said conductive paths; and applying an insulative layer to the exterior surface of said connector pin over said conductive paths, but not said conductive areas whereby electrical contact may be made with said conductive areas. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification