Interlocking electrode carrying body cavity insert for treating medical conditions

• US 5,456,709 A
• Filed: 03/16/1994
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myo/Kinetics Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Myo/Kinetics Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Hamedi, Hassan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GREEN, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US08/214,349
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 607/138, 607/148, 607/116, 607/119, 607/122, 607/127, 607/124, 607/133, 607/134, 607/135, 607/136, 128/639, 128/642, 128/733, 128/738, 601/15
• US Class Current: 607/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0524 Vaginal electrodes

Abstract

A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device has conductive and nonconductive segments which are interconnected to form the whole body cavity insert. The segments are connected by snap fit, threads or other interference or friction fits. The conductive segments may comprise a conductive polymer outer layer and an inner metal layer to which electrical leads may be easily be conductively and mechanically attached.

Claims

1. A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device, comprising:

(a) a tubular body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of tubular segments including a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment separated by a nonconductive segment;

(b) wherein the first conductive segment and the nonconductive segment have ends providing a lug-into-groove, snap-fit interlocking structure which connects the first conductive segment and the nonconductive segment end-to-end; and

(c) a pair of leads in conductive communication with the conductive segments for communication with the electrical device.

2. A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device, comprising:

(a) a tubular body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of tubular segments including a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment separated by a nonconductive segment;

(b) wherein one of the first conductive segment and the nonconductive segment has a pulley-shaped end forming a groove having an outboard wall with a first diagonal edge, and the other of the first conductive segment and the nonconductive segment has a lug with a second diagonal edge, wherein the groove and the lug are formed so that the first diagonal edge and the second diagonal edge can slip past each other so that the lug snaps into the groove, thereby connecting the first conductive segment to the nonconductive segment; and

(c) a pair of leads in conductive communication with the conductive segments for communication with the electrical device.

3. A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device, comprising:

(a) a tubular body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of tubular segments including a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment separated by a nonconductive segment;

(b) wherein the first conductive segment includes a conductive outer ring having an inner surface and a tubular metal base having an outer surface adjoining and in electrical communication with the inner surface of the conductive outer ring;

(c) wherein each of the conductive outer ring and the tubular metal base has a pulley shaped end structure and wherein one of the end structures has a radial projection and the other end structure has a radial groove, the projection snapping into the groove and establishing a mechanical connection and maintain electrical communication between the conductive outer ring and the tubular metal base; and

(d) a pair of leads in conductive communication with the conductive segments for communication with the electrical device.

4. A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device, comprising:

(a) a tubular body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of tubular segments including a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment separated by a nonconductive segment;

(b) wherein an electrically conductive tail is formed as an integral part of the first conductive segment; and

(c) a pair of leads in conductive communication with the conductive segments for communication with the electrical device, one of such leads being connected to the conductive tail.

5. A body cavity insert for transmitting electrical energy between a body cavity wall and an electrical device, comprising:

(a) a tubular body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end along the longitudinal axis, the plurality of tubular segments including a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment separated by a nonconductive segment;

(b) wherein a substantially solid mound of conductive material is formed on the first conductive segment, the mound not being bored or otherwise adapted to facilitate insertion of a lead; and

(c) a pair of leads in conductive communication with the conductive segments for communication with the electrical device, one of such leads piercing the mound so that conductive communication is established between the mound and the lead.