Electrical connector for cardiac devices

• US 6,254,425 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Clerc, Claude O., Shchervinsky, Semyon, Ilori, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US09/451,591
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/505, 439/169, 128/404, 128/414, 128/419.P, 128/784, 128/385, 607/104, 607/119, 607/129
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A temporary cardiac pacing wire, or a similar device, includes a pair of flexible electrode wires extending conjointly from a distal end of the pacing wire to its proximal end, where two electrically conductive sections are located. The conductive sections are suitable for connection to a power source adapted to generate electrical signals for stimulating, pacing, sensing, monitoring or defibrillating the heart of a patient. One conductive section results from the distal end of a Keith-type needle that breaks away from the rest of the needle. The other conductive section is arranged at the free end of a third electrode wire which is movable independently of the other two electrode wires, thereby permitting its connection to the power source in a plug-like fashion.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a cardiac device, comprising wire means, including at least a pair of electrically conductive wires;

and connecting means for electrically connecting said wire means to the cardiac device, said connecting means including another electrically conductive wire, a first connector in the form of a sleeve which is sized and shaped for insertion into a socket-like electrical terminal and which is mechanically and electrically connected to said another wire, a second connector which is mechanically connected to said at least a pair of wires and to said another wire, said another wire being electrically connected to one of said at least a pair of wires within said second connector and being moveable independently of said at least a pair of wires such that said first connector can be plugged into a socket-like electrical terminal, and a distal portion of a severed Keith-type needle, said distal portion being mechanically and electrically connected to another one of said at least a pair of wires.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said second connector is made from an electrically non-conductive material.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said second connector is made from an electrically conductive material having an electrically insulated exterior surface.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said Keith-type needle has an outside diameter and said first connector has a length which is at least about ten times said diameter of said Keith-type needle.

5. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said first connector has a cylindrical shape and includes a blind bore which is sized and shaped to receive an uninsulated end of said another wire.

6. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of wires includes a plurality of wires arranged in a side-by-side fashion relative to each other.

7. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of wires includes a plurality of wires arranged coaxially relative to each other.

8. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said second connector has a bushing-like shape.

9. An electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein said second connector extends circumferentially about said at least a pair of wires and said another wire.

10. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said wire means further includes at least a pair of electrodes at a distal end of said at least a pair of wires.

11. An electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said another wire is connected to said one wire at a proximal end of said at least a pair of wires.

12. A temporary pacing wire, comprising a first electrode at a distal end of said pacing wire;

a second electrode at said distal end of said pacing wire;

a first electrically conductive wire electrically connected to said first electrode and extending from said first electrode to a proximal end of said pacing wire;

a second electrically conductive wire electrically connected to said second electrode and extending from said second electrode to said proximal end of said pacing wire;

first connecting means, located at said proximal end of said pacing wire, for electrically connecting said first wire to a source of electric signals, said first connecting means including a distal portion of a severed Keith-type needle that is mechanically and electrically connected to said first wire; and

second connecting means, located at said proximal end of said pacing wire, for electrically connecting said second wire to a source of electrical signals, said second connecting means including a first connector mechanically connected to said first and second wires, a third electrically conductive wire mechanically connected to said first connector and electrically connected to said second wire, and a second connector mechanically and electrically connected to said third wire, said second connector being sized and shaped for insertion into a socket-like electrical terminal.