Triple port and quadruple port in-line header designs

• US 5,899,930 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 05/04/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hum, Larry, Thomas, Andra, Flynn, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/939,750
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 607/37, 607/5, 607/9, 607/36
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A triple port and quadruple port header assembly of an implantable tissue stimulator, such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, or nerve stimulator, wherein three or more sensing and/or pacing leads may be coupled thereto. Ports of the header assembly receive the terminal end of corresponding leads, wherein each port has two terminal blocks positioned therein which are adapted for coupling a pin and/or ring of the terminal end of the corresponding lead. Feedthrough wires electrically couple the terminal blocks to the electronic circuit of the implantable tissue stimulator, and jumper wires electrically couple the terminal blocks of at least two ports, thereby electrically coupling the corresponding pins and/or rings of at least two leads contained therein.

Claims

1. A header assembly of an implantable device capable of electrically and mechanically coupling at least two electrical sensing and/or pacing leads and adapted for both sealably engaging a casing of the implantable device and electrically coupling an electronic circuit and power supply contained within the casing, which generates an electrical pulse for stimulating tissue of a patient, said header assembly comprising:

(a) a housing coupled to the casing of the implantable device, said housing having at least two ports extending from a side surface of said housing toward but short of an opposite side surface, wherein each port is adapted for sealably receiving a terminal end of a lead, each said port having first and second spaced apart apertures intersecting the port;

(b) an electrically conductive terminal block positioned within each aperture, each said terminal block having a means for securing the terminal end of the lead to a respective terminal block; and

(c) a jumper wire positioned within a channel formed in the housing which interconnects preselected apertures, at least a portion of said channel being accessible from an external surface of said housing, said jumper wire being electrically coupled to corresponding terminal blocks contained within the preselected apertures.

2. The header assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each said bore and channel is filled with a sealing medical adhesive.

3. The header assembly as recited in claim 1, comprising a first, second and third port, each said port extending through said housing from a side surface of said housing toward, but short of, an opposite side surface.

4. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right atrial lead.

5. The header assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar left ventricular lead.

6. The header assembly as recited in claim 5, further including a jumper wire positioned within a channel interconnecting apertures of the first and second ports and electrically coupling corresponding terminal blocks contained therein.

7. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right atrial lead.

8. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar left ventricular lead.

9. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar left ventricular lead.

10. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the third port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right ventricular lead.

11. The header assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the third port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right ventricular lead.

12. The header assembly as recited in claim 1, comprising a first, second, third and fourth port, each said port extending from a side surface of said housing toward, but short of, an opposite side surface.

13. The header assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right atrial lead.

14. The header assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right atrial lead.

15. The header assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar left ventricular lead.

16. The header assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the third port is also adapted for receiving a uni-polar left ventricular lead.

17. The header assembly as recited in claim 16, further including a jumper wire positioned within a channel interrconnecting apertures of the second and fourth ports and electrically coupling corresponding terminal blocks contained therein.

18. The header assembly as recited in claim 16, further including a jumper wire positioned within a channel interrconnecting apertures of the third and fourth ports and electrically coupling corresponding terminal blocks contained therein.

19. The header assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the fourth port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right ventricular lead.

20. The header assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the fourth port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right ventricular lead.

21. A header assembly of an implantable device capable of electrically and mechanically coupling at least two electrical sensing and/or pacing leads and adapted for both sealably engaging a casing of the implantable device and electrically coupling an electronic circuit and power supply contained within the casing, which generates an electrical pulse for stimulating tissue of a patient, said header assembly comprising:

(a) a housing coupled to the casing of the implantable device, said housing having at least two ports extending from a side surface of said housing toward but short of an opposite side surface, wherein each port is adapted for sealably receiving a terminal end of a lead, each said port having first and second spaced apart apertures intersecting the port;

(b) an electrically conductive terminal block positioned within each aperture, each said terminal block having a means for securing the terminal end of the lead to a respective terminal block; and

(c) a jumper wire positioned within a channel formed in the housing which interconnects preselected apertures, said channel extending inward from an external surface of said housing, said jumper wire being electrically coupled to corresponding terminal blocks contained within the preselected apertures.

22. The header assembly as recited in claim 21, comprising a first, second and third port, each said port extending through said housing from a side surface of said housing toward, but short of, an opposite side surface.

23. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right atrial lead.

24. The header assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar left ventricular lead.

25. The header assembly as recited in claim 24, further including a jumper wire positioned within a channel interconnecting apertures of the first and second ports and electrically coupling corresponding terminal blocks contained therein.

26. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the first port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right atrial lead.

27. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar left ventricular lead.

28. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the second port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar left ventricular lead.

29. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the third port is adapted for receiving a bi-polar right ventricular lead.

30. The header assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the third port is adapted for receiving a uni-polar right ventricular lead.