Tool-less locking and sealing assembly for implantable medical device

• US 5,766,042 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ries, Andrew J., Bischoff, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/579,959
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 439/271, 439/296, 439/312, 439/345, 439/349, 439/371, 439/372, 439/668, 439/669, 439/909, 439/675, 128/419 P, 128/766, 128/784
• US Class Current: 439/668
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/28 Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A connector assembly for effectuating electrical and mechanical coupling between an implantable device and a lead comprises a main body portion and a rotating lever which collectively define a socket for receiving the terminal end of the lead therein. When the lever is in an unlocked or open position, very little insertion force is required to introduce the terminal end of the lead into the socket. When the lever is rotated to its closed position, a J-groove connection between the lever and the main body portion causes the lever to be drawn toward the main body portion. This inward travel of the lever causes an annular sealing grommet in the connector assembly to be compressed around the circumference of the lead body, effectuating a frictional and fluid-tight connection between the lead and the implantable device. In another embodiment of the invention, compression of the sealing grommet is accomplished by pressing downward on a slide element. Complementary stepped-ramp bosses or protrusions on the slide element and main body of the connector assembly are such that as the slide element travels downward, it is simultaneously pulled inward slightly to compress the sealing grommet.

Claims

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

a main connector body defining first and second sockets separated from one another in said connector body each of said first and second sockets having a conductive terminal therein and having an open end for receiving a proximal connector portion of an implantable electrical lead and;

an annular sealing grommet disposed within said main connector body and surrounding said first socket;

a locking lever, rotatably coupled to a front face portion of said main connector body and having a first bore aligned with said open end of said first socket and a second bore, said lever being rotatable from a first, open position to a second, closed position;

wherein rotation of said lever from said first position to said second position compresses said sealing grommet around said lead'"'"'s circumference to effectuate a seal around said lead and wherein said second bore of said lever is aligned with the open end of said second socket when said lever is in said second position.

2. A connector assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said locking lever defines a plurality of cams adapted to be engaged in a J-groove formed in said main connector body to effectuate said rotatable coupling between said locking lever and said main connector body.

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

a main connector body defining first and second sockets separated from one another in said connector body, each of said first and second sockets having a conductive terminal therein and having an open end for receiving a proximal connector portion of an implantable electrical lead;

an annular sealing grommet disposed within said main connector body and surrounding said first socket;

a locking lever, rotatably coupled to a front face portion of said main connector body and having a first bore aligned with said open end of said first socket and having a seal located thereon, said lever being rotatable from a first, open position to a second, closed position;

wherein rotation of said lever from said first position to said second position compresses said sealing grommet around said lead'"'"'s circumference to effectuate a seal around said lead and wherein said seal on said lever seals the open end of said second socket when said lever is in said second position.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 3 wherein said lever is provided with a second bore which is aligned with said second socket when said lever is in said second position and wherein said seal is removably mounted in said second bore.