Pacemaker

• US 5,431,695 A
• Filed: 11/23/1993
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lyons, Daniel A., Schulhauser, Randy C., Nicholson, John E., Wiklund, Craig L., Rieder, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/157,762
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/37, 607/38, 439/736, 439/810, 439/814, 439/677, 439/909
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

An implantable medical device including a hermetic housing containing an electronic circuit, such as a cardiac pacemaker. The electronic circuit may be coupled to a medical lead by means of a connector module which is formed as part of a molded, resilient shroud, extending around the circumference of the hermetic container.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for an implantable medical device, comprising:

a connector housing molded of a resilient material and having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical lead connector defined therein;

a connector means, located in said resilient material for coupling to an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means, said connector means in turn comprising;

a connector body;

engaging means rotatable with respect to said connector body for engaging an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means; and

a stabilizer bar extending from said connector body and located within said resilient material.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said engaging means is a set screw.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said stabilizer bar extends generally parallel to said bore means.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said connector body has a bore therethrough aligned with said bore means of said connector housing.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said connector body has a bore in which said stabilizer bar is inserted.

6. An implantable medical device, comprising:

an electronic circuit;

means for preventing fluid ingress to said electronic circuit;

a connector housing molded of a resilient material and having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical lead connector defined therein;

a connector means coupled to said electronic circuit and located in said resilient material for coupling to an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means, said connector means in turn comprising;

a connector body;

engaging means rotatable with respect to said connector body for engaging an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means; and

a stabilizer bar extending from said connector body and located within said resilient material.

7. An implantable device according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means is a set screw.

8. An implantable device according to claim 6 wherein said stabilizer bar extends generally parallel to said bore means.

9. An implantable device according to claim 6 wherein said connector body has a bore therethrough aligned with said bore means of said connector housing.

10. An implantable device according to claim 6 wherein said connector body has a bore in which said stabilizer bar is inserted.

11. An implantable device according to claim 6, further comprising means for interconnecting said connector body with said electronic circuit, comprising a wire coupled to said connector body and extending therefrom within said resilient material, said wire having a plurality of curves formed therein to provide stress relief.

12. An implantable device according to claim 6, further comprising means for interconnecting said connector body with said implantable medical device, comprising a wire coupled to said connector body and extending therefrom within said resilient material, said wire having a plurality of curves formed therein to provide stress relief.

13. A connector assembly for an implantable medical device, comprising:

a connector housing molded of a resilient material and having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical lead connector defined therein;

a connector means, located in said resilient material for coupling to an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means, said connector means in turn comprising;

a connector body;

engaging means rotatable with respect to said connector body for engaging in an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means; and

means for interconnecting said connector body with said implantable medical device, comprising a wire coupled to said connector body and extending therefrom to said medical device within said resilient material, said wire defining a generally s-shaped curve, said connector housing having a curved slot molded therein in which said wire is located, wherein said connector housing is provided with means for frictionally engaging said wire, within said curved slot.

14. A connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein said housing is provided with additional slots, located along said curved slot, in which said wire is frictionally engaged.

15. A connector assembly according to claim 13 or 14 wherein said curved slot is filled with a resilient material to enclose said wire.

16. An implantable medical device, comprising:

an electronic circuit;

means for preventing fluid ingress to said electronic circuit;

a connector housing molded of a resilient material and having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical lead connector defined therein;

a connector means coupled to said electronic circuit and located in said resilient material for coupling to an electrical lead connector when received in said bore means, said connector means in turn comprising;

a connector body;

engaging means rotatable with respect to said connector body for engaging in electrical lead connector when received in said bore means; and

means for interconnecting said connector body with said electronic circuit, comprising a wire coupled to said connector body, extending therefrom within said resilient material and coupled to said electronic circuit, said wire defining a generally s-shaped curve, said connector housing having a curved slot molded therein in which said wire is located, wherein said connector housing is provided with means for frictionally engaging said wire, within said curved slot.

17. An implantable medical device according to claim 16, wherein said housing is provided with additional slots, located along said curved slot, in which said wire is frictionally engaged.

18. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 or 17 wherein said curved slot is filled with a resilient material to enclose said wire.

19. An implantable medical device according to claim 16 or 17 wherein said means for interconnecting said connector body with said electronic circuit further comprises a feedthrough, covered by said resilient material and coupled to said electronic circuit and to said wire.