Apparatus and method for making electrical connections in an implantable pacemaker
First Claim
1. A multi-part pacemaker connector for receiving a proximal end of a pacemaker lead, the pacemaker lead having a first and second spaced-apart electrode, the multi-part pacemaker connector comprising:
- a molded body tip having a recess for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therein, the body tip including a connector block, the connector block being insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the connector block having a channel therethrough, the molded body tip further having a first access window therethrough for making electrical contact with the connector block;
an electrically conductive garter spring contact;
a molded entrance connector having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the entrance connector including a conductive tube, the conductive tube being insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the conductive tube forming a recess for receiving the garter spring contact, the garter spring being sized so as to make circumferential contact with an inner surface of the conductive tube;
molded body ring having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the body ring having a groove for press-fittably receiving the conductive tube, the body ring further having a second access window therethrough for making electrical contact with conductive tube;
a first joining means for joining the molded body tip to the molded body ring; and
a second joining means for joining the entrance connector to the body ring;
whereby the first and second spaced apart proximal electrodes of a pacemaker lead may be inserted into the pacemaker connector and make respective electrical contact with the block electrode and the garter spring contact;
whereby electrical contact may be made with the first and second proximal electrodes of the pacemaker lead via the first and second access windows, respectively.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-part molded pacemaker connector that meets the precise requirements imposed by the VS-1 standard, yet does not require complex or expensive machining of individual parts. Advantageously, the pacemaker connector is made from a plurality of individually molded parts, with each individual part being designed to readily allow the insertion of seals and other connector components, prior to joining the parts together. The connector includes three molded pieces: a body tip, a body ring, and an entrance connector which are adapted to be joined during assembly. The connector further includes a garter spring, and preferably, two annular sealing rings. A tip connector block is insert-molded into the body tip. A conductive tube, which forms the ring connector, is insert-molded within the entrance connector. The body ring provides appropriate spacing between the tip connector block and the ring connector. Windows in the body tip and the body ring expose a portion of the conductor block and the conductive tube, respectively, for subsequent attachment to conductive wires. After assembly, the connector may be pretested for leakage, dimensionality and conductivity prior to casting it in epoxy as part of the pacemaker connector.
158 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A multi-part pacemaker connector for receiving a proximal end of a pacemaker lead, the pacemaker lead having a first and second spaced-apart electrode, the multi-part pacemaker connector comprising:
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a molded body tip having a recess for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therein, the body tip including a connector block, the connector block being insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the connector block having a channel therethrough, the molded body tip further having a first access window therethrough for making electrical contact with the connector block; an electrically conductive garter spring contact; a molded entrance connector having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the entrance connector including a conductive tube, the conductive tube being insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the conductive tube forming a recess for receiving the garter spring contact, the garter spring being sized so as to make circumferential contact with an inner surface of the conductive tube; molded body ring having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the body ring having a groove for press-fittably receiving the conductive tube, the body ring further having a second access window therethrough for making electrical contact with conductive tube; a first joining means for joining the molded body tip to the molded body ring; and a second joining means for joining the entrance connector to the body ring; whereby the first and second spaced apart proximal electrodes of a pacemaker lead may be inserted into the pacemaker connector and make respective electrical contact with the block electrode and the garter spring contact; whereby electrical contact may be made with the first and second proximal electrodes of the pacemaker lead via the first and second access windows, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pacemaker connector assembly for detachably, electrically connecting first and second spaced-apart electrodes of a proximal end of a pacemaker lead to first and second terminals of an implantable pacemaker, the pacemaker connector assembly comprising:
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a nonconductive entrance connector having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the entrance connector further having a conductive tube molded therein; a nonconductive body ring having a channel therethrough for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the body ring having a groove for receiving the conductive tube, the body ring including engagement means for joining the entrance connector at one end of the body ring, the body ring further having a first access window therethrough for making electrical contact with the conductive tube; a nonconductive body tip having a recess for receiving a proximal end of the pacemaker lead therein, the body tip having a connector block molded therein, the connector block including means for receiving the first electrode of the pacemaker lead, the body tip having a second access window therethrough for making electrical contact with the connector block, the body tip further including an annular lip protruding from the body tip which is sized for a press-fit to the other end of the body ring; a garter spring contact sized to fit inside the conductive tube, the garter spring contact comprising an electrically conductive material; and means for making respective electrical contact from the connector block and the conductive tube to the first and second pacemaker terminals by way of the first and second access windows, respectively; whereby the first and second spaced apart electrodes of the pacemaker lead may be inserted into the body tip and body ring so as to make respective electrical contact with the block electrode and the garter spring contact; whereby electrical contact is made between the first and second electrodes of the pacemaker lead and the first and second pacemaker terminals, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A pacemaker header assembly for detachably, electrically connecting a proximal tip and ring electrode of a proximal end of a pacemaker lead to first and second terminals of an implantable pacemaker, the pacemaker header assembly comprising:
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a molded body tip having a recess for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therein, the body tip including a first conductive means insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the first conductive means having means for making electrical contact with the proximal tip electrode; a molded entrance connector having a channel for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the entrance connector including a second conductive means insert molded so as to form an integral part thereof, the second conductive means having means for making electrical contact with the proximal ring electrode; a molded body ring having a channel for receiving the proximal end of the pacemaker lead therethrough, the body ring including engagement means for joining the entrance connector to one end of the body ring and for joining the body tip to the other end of the body ring; means for making electrical contact from the first and second conductive means to the first second pacemaker terminals, respectively; and means for housing the molded body tip, the molded entrance connector, the molded body ring, and the contact means in a biocompatible material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of making electrical connections between the proximal end of an implantable lead and the electrical circuits within a sealed housing of an implantable medical device, the housing having a first feedthrough terminal therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
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making a first nonconductive connector, the first connector including a cavity therein for receiving a proximal tip electrode of a implantable lead, the first connector further including a conductive terminal for making electrical contact with the proximal tip electrode of the implantable lead; making a second nonconductive connector, the second connector including a channel for passing the proximal end of the implantable lead therethrough, the second connector further including a first recess; making a third nonconductive connector, the third connector including a channel for passing the proximal end of the implantable lead therethrough, the third connector further including a second recess; making a first and a second sealing ring; inserting the first sealing ring into the first recess of the second connector; inserting the second sealing ring into the second recess of the third connector; joining the first, second and third connectors together; connecting a first conductor at one end to the first feedthrough terminal and at the other end to the conductive terminal, the first, second and third connector, including the conductive terminal, forming a connector subassembly; and casting the connector subassembly in a body compatible material onto the housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification