Medical lead adaptor having rotatable locking clip mechanism

• US 5,931,861 A
• Filed: 04/25/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Winkler, Thomas J., Werner, Robert L., Gravlin, Raymond W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US08/846,193
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 607/115, 607/119, 607/37, 607/38, 600/373, 600/394
• US Class Current: 607/115
• 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 11/22 End pieces terminating in a spring clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of a cardiac lead having electrodes adapted to be placed in or on the body with an external medical device. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end sharing common dimensions. The elongated receptacle includes connector pin and ring receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated slot extends laterally with respect to the elongated receptacle and cooperates with a lock mechanism to permit lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly. A stylet wire is then inserted into a cardiac lead body lumen, in the elongated receptacle. When inserted therein, the lead connector ring or pin is nested into contact with the ring or pin receptacle contacts and is held there by the lock mechanism.

Claims

1. An external medical lead adaptor for establishing a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device connector assembly and a proximal lead connector end assembly of an implantable cardiac lead of the type having an elongated implantable lead body extending from the lead connector end assembly toward a distal cardiac lead end, the implantable lead body containing first and second spaced apart bipolar in-line implantable lead conductors coupled to first and second spaced apart proximal lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly and having a lumen disposed therein for receiving a stylet wire through a lumen end opening, said stylet wire, when received in said lumen, extending proximally from said lumen end opening of said lead connector end assembly such that said stylet wire may be manipulated, said medical lead adaptor comprising:

external conductor means comprising at least first and second external electrical conductors, each conductor means extending between a first external conductor end thereof to a second external conductor end that includes an external connector element for establishing electrical contact with said external medical device connector assembly; and

an adaptor connector assembly coupled to said external conductor means for receiving said lead connector end assembly and for making electrical contact between said first and second implantable lead conductors and said first and second external electrical conductors, respectively, said adaptor connector assembly further comprising;

means for receiving defining an elongated receptacle having distal and proximal ends for conformably receiving said first and second lead connector elements of said lead connector end assembly when inserted therein;

first and second receptacle in-line contacts positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with said first and second lead connector elements, respectively;

means for electrically connecting each of said first and second receptacle contacts with said first external conductor end of said first and second external conductors, respectively;

proximal end opening means for receiving and allowing said stylet wire, to extend proximally from said lead lumen end opening and proximally from the receiving means, said proximal end opening means disposed at said proximal end of said receiver means;

receptacle slot means formed laterally of said elongated receptacle for laterally passing said lead connector end assembly having said stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening into and out of said elongated receptacle and said proximal end opening means; and

a screwless and boltless rotatable locking clip mechanism hand manipulable to an open position with respect to said receptacle slot means, said locking clip mechanism permitting said implantable lead connector end assembly and stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening to be inserted laterally through said receptacle slot means into said receiver means and to be withdrawn laterally from said receiver means through said receptacle slot means and hand manipulable to a locked position for locking said implantable lead connector end assembly in said receiver means to assure secure electrical contact between each receptacle contact and a corresponding lead connector element while permitting manipulation of said stylet wire with respect to said lumen.

2. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 1, wherein:

said adaptor connector assembly further comprises a tubular housing enclosing said elongated receptacle and said first and second receptacle contacts and having a cylindrical outer surface extending between proximal and distal housing ends thereof and having an outer surface circumferential track disposed on said generally cylindrical outer surface;

said receptacle slot means extends longitudinally along said tubular housing and laterally between said cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle; and

said locking clip mechanism is cylindrical and has an internal tracking surface that engages said outer surface circumferential track and is rotatable about said outer surface circumferential track between said locked and open positions.

3. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 2, wherein said locking clip mechanism is generally tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot disposed along said length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to said open position for permitting said implantable lead connector end and stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through said aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through said aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

4. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 3, wherein:

said outer surface circumferential track is disposed between first and second spaced apart rails extending around said circumference of said housing, said rails having diameters exceeding said diameter of said circumferential track; and

said locking clip mechanism has an inner diameter that is sized with respect to said rail diameters and said outer surface track diameter to be restrained by said spaced apart rails and to permit relative rotation of said locking clip mechanism about said outer surface circumferential track.

5. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 1, wherein said adaptor connector assembly further comprises:

a tubular housing of flexible insulating material enclosing said elongated receptacle and said first and second receptacle contacts and having a cylindrical outer surface extending between the proximal and distal end openings thereof;

said first and second receptacle contacts comprise thin conductor spring material, the contacts being spaced apart within said elongated receptacle and dimensioned to tightly engage said first and second lead connector elements when positioned in said elongated receptacle in said locked position; and

said receptacle slot means comprises a receptacle slot extending longitudinally along a side of said tubular housing and laterally between said cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle having a slot width that does not permit the lead connector end assembly to be passed therethrough in the closed and locked positions, said tubular housing and said first and second receptacle contacts having a C-shaped profile; and

said locking clip mechanism comprises means for increasing the slot width from the closed and locked position slot width to an open position slot width sufficient to permit said elongated lead connector end assembly to pass through said receptacle slot.

6. An external medical lead adaptor for establishing a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device connector assembly and a proximal lead connector end assembly of an implantable cardiac lead of the type having an elongated implantable lead body extending from the lead connector end assembly toward a distal cardiac lead end, the implantable lead body containing first and second implantable lead conductors coupled to bipolar in-line proximal lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly and having a lumen disposed therein for receiving a stylet wire through a lumen end opening, the stylet wire, when received in the lumen, extending proximally from the lumen end opening of the lead connector end assembly such that the stylet wire may be manipulated, said medical lead adaptor comprising:

an external lead body comprising first and second external electrical conductors extending between a first external lead conductor end and a second external lead conductor end that includes an external lead connector element for establishing electrical contact with the external medical device connector assembly; and

an adaptor connector assembly coupled to said external lead body for receiving the lead connector end assembly and for establishing electrical contact between each respective implantable lead conductor and each external electrical conductor, said adaptor connector assembly further comprising;

means for receiving said adaptor connector assembly defining an elongated receptacle having distal and proximal ends for conformably receiving each lead connector element of the lead connector end assembly when inserted therein;

first and second in-line receptacle contacts positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the first and second lead connector elements;

means for electrically connecting said receptacle contacts with said first external lead conductor end;

proximal end opening means for receiving and allowing said stylet wire to extend proximally from said lead lumen end opening and proximally from the receiving means, said proximal end opening means disposed at said proximal end of said receiver means; and

receptacle slot means extending laterally of said elongated receptacle through said adaptor connector assembly to an exterior surface thereof for laterally receiving the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening through said receptacle slot means assembly and with each lead connector element in contact with a receptacle contact; and

a screwless and boltless rotatable locking clip mechanism hand manipulable to an open position with respect to said receptacle slot means, said locking clip permitting the implantable lead connector end assembly and stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening to be inserted laterally through said receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through said receptacle slot means and hand manipulable to a locked position for locking the implantable lead connector end assembly in said elongated receptacle to assure secure electrical contact between each receptacle contact and a corresponding lead connector element while permitting manipulation of the stylet wire with respect to said lumen.

7. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 6, wherein:

said adaptor connector assembly further comprises a tubular housing enclosing said elongated receptacle and receptacle contact and having a cylindrical outer surface extending between proximal and distal housing ends thereof and having an outer surface circumferential track disposed on said cylindrical outer surface;

said receptacle slot means extends longitudinally along said tubular housing and laterally between said cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle; and

said locking clip mechanism is cylindrical and has an internal tracking surface that engages said outer surface circumferential track and is rotatable about said outer surface circumferential track between the locked and open positions.

8. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 7, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot disposed along the length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for permitting the implantable lead connector end and stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through said aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

9. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 7, wherein:

said outer surface circumferential track is disposed between first and second spaced apart rails extending around the circumference of said housing, said rails having diameters exceeding the diameter of said circumferential track; and

said locking clip mechanism has an inner diameter that is sized with respect to said rail diameters and said outer surface diameter to be restrained by said spaced apart rails and to permit relative rotation of said locking clip mechanism about said outer surface circumferential track.

10. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 9, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot disposed along the length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for permitting the implantable lead connector end and stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

11. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 6, wherein said adaptor connector assembly further comprises:

a tubular housing of flexible insulating material enclosing said elongated receptacle and said at least one receptacle contact and having a cylindrical outer surface extending between the proximal and distal end openings thereof;

said at least one receptacle contact comprises a thin conductor spring material, the contact being disposed within said elongated receptacle and dimensioned to tightly engage the at least one lead connector element when positioned in said elongated receptacle in the locked position; and

said receptacle slot means comprises a receptacle slot extending longitudinally along a side of said tubular housing and laterally between the cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle having a slot width that does not permit the lead connector end assembly to be passed therethrough in the closed and locked positions, said tubular housing and said at least one receptacle contact having a C-shaped profile; and

said locking clip mechanism comprises means for increasing the slot width from the closed and locked position slot width to an open position slot width sufficient to the elongated lead connector end assembly to pass through said receptacle slot.

12. An external medical lead adaptor for establishing a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device connector assembly and a proximal lead connector end assembly of an implantable cardiac lead of the type having an elongated implantable lead body extending from the lead connector end assembly toward a distal cardiac lead end, the implantable lead body containing first and second implantable lead conductors coupled to proximal first and second bipolar in-line lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly, said medical lead adaptor comprising:

an external lead body comprising external electrical conductors extending between a first external lead conductor end and a second external lead conductor end that includes first and second external lead connector elements for establishing electrical contact with the external medical device connector assembly; and

an adaptor connector assembly coupled to said external lead body for receiving the lead connector end assembly and for establishing electrical contact between each respective implantable lead conductor and each external electrical conductor, said adaptor connector assembly comprising a stationary tubular housing and a screwless and boltless rotatable locking clip mechanism,

said tubular housing comprising;

means for receiving internal to said tubular housing defining an elongated receptacle having distal and proximal ends for conformably receiving each lead connector element of the lead connector end assembly when inserted therein;

first and second in-line receptacle contacts positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the first and second lead connector elements;

means for electrically connecting said receptacle contacts with said first external lead conductor end;

proximal end opening means for receiving and allowing said stylet wire to extend proximally from said lead lumen end opening and proximally from the receiving means, said proximal end opening means disposed at said proximal end of said receiver means; and

receptacle slot means extending laterally of said elongated receptacle through said tubular housing to an exterior surface thereof for laterally receiving the lead connector end assembly with each lead connector element in contact with the receptacle contacts;

wherein said locking clip mechanism is hand manipulable by rotation about said tubular housing to an open position with respect to said receptacle slot means for permitting the implantable lead connector end assembly to be inserted laterally through said receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through said receptacle slot means and hand manipulable to a locked position for locking the implantable lead connector end assembly in said elongated receptacle to assure secure electrical contact between each receptacle contact and the corresponding lead connector elements.

13. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 12, wherein:

said tubular housing enclosing said elongated receptacle and receptacle contact has a cylindrical outer surface extending between proximal and distal housing ends thereof and has an outer surface circumferential track disposed on said generally cylindrical outer surface;

said receptacle slot means extends longitudinally along said tubular housing between the proximal and distal housing ends and laterally between the cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle; and

said locking clip mechanism is cylindrical and has an internal tracking surface that engages said outer surface circumferential track and is rotatable about said outer surface circumferential track between the locked and open positions.

14. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 13, wherein:

said outer surface circumferential track is disposed between first and second spaced apart rails extending around the circumference of said housing, said rails having diameters exceeding the diameter of said circumferential track; and

said locking clip mechanism has an inner diameter that is sized with respect to the rail diameters and the outer surface track diameter to be restrained by said spaced apart rails and to permit relative rotation of said locking clip mechanism about said outer surface circumferential track.

15. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 14, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot along the length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot disposed means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for permitting the implantable lead connector end to be inserted laterally through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

16. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 12, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot disposed along the length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for permitting the implantable lead connector end to be inserted laterally through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

17. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 12, said implantable lead body further having a lumen disposed therein for receiving a stylet wire through a lumen end opening, the stylet wire, when received in the lead lumen, extending proximally from the lumen end opening of the lead connector end assembly such that the stylet wire may be manipulated, wherein:

said receptacle slot means extends laterally of said elongated receptacle through said adaptor connector assembly to an exterior surface thereof, the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening; and

said locking clip mechanism is manipulable by rotation about said tubular housing to an open position with respect to said receptacle slot means for permitting the implantable lead connector end assembly and the stylet wire to be inserted laterally through said receptacle slot means in to said elongated receptacle and to be permitting the implantable lead connector end assembly and the stylet wire to be inserted laterally through said receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through said receptacle slot means and manipulable to a locked position for locking the implantable lead connector end assembly in said elongated receptacle to assure secure electrical contact between each receptacle contact and a corresponding lead connector element while permitting manipulation of said stylet wire.

18. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 17, wherein:

said tubular housing enclosing said elongated receptacle and receptacle contact has a cylindrical outer surface extending between proximal and distal housing ends thereof and an outer surface circumferential track disposed on said cylindrical outer surface;

said receptacle slot means extends longitudinally along said tubular housing between the proximal and distal housing ends and laterally between the cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle within said tubular housing; and

said locking clip mechanism cylindrical and has an internal tracking surface that engages the outer surface circumferential track and is rotatable about the outer surface circumferential track between the locked and open positions.

19. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 18, wherein:

said outer surface circumferential track is disposed between first and second spaced apart rails extending around the circumference of said housing, said rails having diameters exceeding the diameter of the circumferential track therebetween; and

said locking clip mechanism has an inner diameter that is sized with respect to the rail diameters and the track surface diameter to be restrained by said spaced apart rails and to permit relative rotation of said lock means about said outer surface circumferential track.

20. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 19, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by an elongated access slot disposed along the length thereof that is alignable with said receptacle slot means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for permitting the implantable lead connector end with the stiffening stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

21. The external medical lead adaptor of claim 18, wherein said locking clip mechanism is tubular and has a C-shaped profile defined by am elongated access slot disposed means on rotation of said locking clip mechanism to the open position for allowing the implantable lead connector end with the stiffening stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot means.

22. A method of establishing a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device connector assembly and a proximal lead connector end assembly of an implantable cardiac lead of the type having an elongated implantable lead body extending from the lead connector end assembly toward a distal cardiac lead end, the implantable lead body comprising first and second implantable lead conductors coupled to proximal first and second in-line bipolar lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly and having a lumen disposed therein for receiving a stylet wire through a lumen end opening, the stylet wire, when received in the lumen, extending proximally from the lumen end opening of the lead connector end assembly such that the stylet wire may be manipulated, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching the external medical device connector assembly to an external lead connector element of an external lead body having first and second external electrical conductors disposed therein and extending between a first external lead conductor end and a second external lead conductor attached to the external lead connector element; and

operating an adaptor connector assembly coupled to said external lead body to receive the lead connector end assembly in an elongated receptacle thereof to establish electrical contact between the respective first and second implantable lead connector elements and respective first and second receptacle contacts disposed within the elongated receptacle and electrically coupled to their respective external electrical conductors, the operating step further comprising the steps of;

opening, by rotating a screwless and boltless locking clip mechanism to an exterior surface of the adaptor connector assembly, a receptacle slot extending laterally of said elongated receptacle within said adaptor connector assembly to an exterior surface thereof to laterally receive the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from the lumen end opening through said receptacle slot;

laterally inserting the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening through said receptacle slot and into an elongated receptacle shaped to conformably receive the first and second lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly when inserted therein, the elongated receptacle having first and second in-line receptacle contacts positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the lead connector elements, said first and second receptacle contacts being electrically connected to said first external lead conductor end;

closing the receptacle slot, by rotating the locking clip mechanism, to lock the implantable lead connector end assembly in said elongated receptacle to assure secure electrical contact between the first and second receptacle contacts and the first and second lead connector elements; and

permitting manipulation of the stylet wire with respect to said lumen through a proximal end opening means for receiving and allowing said stylet wire to extend proximally from said lead lumen end opening and proximally from the adaptor connector assembly, said proximal end opening means disposed at a proximal end of said adaptor connector assembly.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said closing step further comprises:

rotating a cylindrical clip on a clip internal tracking surface about a cylindrical outer surface of a tubular housing enclosing said elongated receptacle and receptacle contact and having said receptacle slot disposed therein to extend longitudinally along said tubular housing and laterally between said generally cylindrical outer surface and said elongated receptacle such that the clip body overlies said receptacle slot.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

said elongated receptacle is configured to receive a multi-polar, in-line, lead connector end assembly having a proximal connector pin and at least one additional distal connector ring coupled with at least first and second implantable lead conductors mutually insulated from one another and spaced apart along the length of the lead connector end assembly;

at least two receptacle contacts are positioned along said elongated receptacle for making electrical contact with the lead connector pin and ring; and

at least two external lead conductors within said external lead body are electrically connected to said at least two receptacle contacts.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said opening step further comprises:

rotating said cylindrical clip on said clip internal tracking surface about said cylindrical outer surface of said tubular housing to an open position

positioning an elongated access slot extending along the length thereof in alignment with said receptacle slot to permit the implantable lead connector end and stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through said aligned access slot and receptacle slot into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said elongated receptacle is configured to receive a multi-polar, in-line, lead connector end assembly having a proximal connector pin and at least one additional distal connector ring coupled with at least first and second implantable lead conductors mutually insulated from one another and spaced apart along the length of the lead connector end assembly;

at least two receptacle contacts are positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the lead connector pin and ring; and

at least two external lead conductors within said external lead body are electrically connected to said at least two receptacle contacts.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein:

said elongated receptacle is configured to receive a multi-polar, in-line, lead connector end assembly having a proximal connector pin and at least one additional distal connector ring coupled with at least first and second implantable lead conductors mutually insulated from one another and spaced apart along the length of the lead connector end assembly;

at least two receptacle contacts are positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the lead connector pin and ring; and

at least two external lead conductors within said external lead body are electrically connected to said at least two receptacle contacts.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said opening step further comprises increasing the receptacle slot width of said receptacle slot from a closed slot width that precludes lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening through said receptacle slot.

29. An apparatus for establishing a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device connector assembly and a proximal lead connector end assembly of an implantable cardiac lead of the type having an elongated implantable lead body extending from the lead connector end assembly toward a distal cardiac lead end, the implantable lead body comprising first and second implantable lead conductors coupled to proximal bipolar in-line first and second lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly and having a lumen disposed therein for receiving a stylet wire through a lumen end opening, the stylet wire, when received in the lumen, extending proximally from the lumen end opening of the lead connector end assembly such that the stylet wire may be manipulated, the apparatus comprising:

means for attaching the external medical device connector assembly to an external lead body having first and second external electrical conductors disposed therein and extending between a first external lead conductor end and a second external lead conductor end;

an adaptor connector assembly coupled to the second external lead conductor end at said external lead body to receive the lead connector end assembly, the adaptor connector assembly having an elongated receptacle disposed therein for establishing electrical contact between the first and second implantable lead connector elements and the first and second receptacle contacts disposed within the elongated receptacle, the adaptor connector assembly further comprising a receptacle slot extending laterally of said elongated receptacle to an exterior surface of said adaptor connector assembly and proximal end opening means for receiving and allowing said stylet wire to extend proximally from said lead lumen end opening and proximally from the adaptor connector assembly, said proximal end opening means disposed at a proximal end of said adaptor connector assembly; and

a screwless and boltless rotatable locking clip mechanism operable between an open position for opening the receptacle slot to laterally receive the lead connector end assembly therein, the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening and being disposed in an elongated receptacle shaped to conformably receive the first and second lead connector elements of the lead connector end assembly, and a locked position for closing the receptacle slot to lock the implantable lead connector end assembly in said elongated receptacle to assure secure electrical contact between the first and second receptacle contacts and the first and second lead connector elements while permitting manipulation of the stylet wire with respect to said lumen.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein:

said elongated receptacle is configured to receive a lead connector end assembly having a proximal connector pin and at least one additional distal connector ring coupled to at least first and second implantable lead conductors mutually insulated from one another and spaced apart along the length of the lead connector end assembly;

at least two receptacle contacts are positioned along said elongated receptacle for establishing electrical contact with the lead connector pin and ring; and

at least two external lead conductors disposed within said external lead body being electrically connected to said at least two receptacle contacts.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said locking clip mechanism further comprises:

means movable about said adaptor connector assembly housing between an open wherein an elongated access slot extends along the length thereof in alignment with said receptacle slot to permit the implantable lead connector end and stylet wire extending proximally therefrom to be inserted laterally through said aligned access slot and receptacle slot into said elongated receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally from said elongated receptacle through the aligned access slot and receptacle slot and a locked position covering said receptacle slot.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said locking clip mechanism further comprises means for increasing the receptacle slot width of said receptacle slot from a closed slot width that precludes lateral insertion through said receptacle slot of the lead connector end assembly having the stylet wire extending proximally from said lumen end opening.