Subcutaneous electrical data port

• US 5,205,286 A
• Filed: 07/24/1991
• Issued: 04/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermedics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Intermedics Incorporated
• Inventors: Block, Warren J., Soukup, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PONTIUS, KEVIN LANE
• Application Number:
  US07/734,947
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 128/630, 128/899, 128/419 PS, 128/419 PT, 128/642, 128/784, 439/86
• US Class Current: 600/377
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6865 Access ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0504 Subcutaneous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A subcutaneous data port which may be surgically implanted beneath the skin of a subject and electrically connected to implanted leads, sensors or an implanted medica device. The data port provides electrical connections through conductive rubber access ports. The access ports can be penetrated by a coated needle, establishing an electrical connection. An indifferent plate electrode provides a replicable ground or body reference electrode.

Claims

1. A subcutaneously implanted data port comprising

a non-conductive body;

at least one access sport on said body;

said at least one access port comprising a conductive elastomeric filler and a non-conductive, penetrable cap, said cap covering said conductive elastomeric filler; and

means for electrically connecting said data port to an implanted apparatus, said connecting means being in the electrical communication with said conductive elastomeric filler;

an indifferent electrode on said body; and

a ground port electrically connected to said indifferent electrode, said ground port comprising a conductive elastomeric ground filler and a nonconductive, penetrable ground cap, said ground cap covering said conductive ground filler.

2. The subcutaneously implantable data port according to claim 1 wherein said at least one access port comprises at least two access ports and said access ports and said ground port are arrange don said body in a pattern which permits the ports to be distinguished from one another.

3. The subcutaneously implantable data port according to claim 2 having four access ports disposed around said ground port, the ground port being centrally located on a side of said body adapted to be adjacent a skin layer, at least one of said access ports being closer to said ground port than at least one of the remaining access ports.

4. The subcutaneously implantable data port according to claim 3 wherein two of said access ports are a selected distance from said ground port and the remaining two of said access ports are a second selected distance from said ground port.

5. The subcutaneously implantable data port according to claim 4, said body comprising a semi-circular distal end spaced away from said connecting means.