Clip lock mechanism for retaining lead

• US 6,609,029 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Goldman, Stephen L., Mann, Carla M., Sandford, Donald L., Devor, Larry D., Jang, Grace Ying Yang
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oropeza, Frances P.
• Application Number:
  US09/750,634
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 439/278, 439/282, 439/296, 439/345, 439/595, 439/660, 439/668, 439/669, 439/670, 439/909, 607/36, 607/37
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

A straight-forward and tool-less mechanism is provided for securing lead wires to an implantable neurostimulator, or similar medical device. In one embodiment, a clip lock mechanism is pivotally connected to the enclosure of the medical device, which enclosure also includes at least one receptacle with contacts to the components within the device. The proximal end of the lead wires terminate in a connector, including at least one plug and at least one pin with contacts corresponding to the electrodes or other devices along the distal end of the lead. The pin is inserted into the receptacle, thus completing the connection between the pin and receptacle contacts, and the clip is pivoted over the plug. The plug preferably has depressions that provide a clear visual and tactual indication of the position of the properly placed clip.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising components housed within an enclosure, wherein the components are configured to carry out a desired function, the medical device further comprising:

at least one lead, the at least one lead terminating in a lead connector;

at least one receptacle within the enclosure for receiving at least one lead connector comprising at least one lead pin; and

a clip pivotally mounted to the enclosure;

wherein the at least one lead pin of the at least one lead connector is inserted into the at least one receptacle; and

wherein the clip pivots over the at least one lead connector to secure the at least one lead to the enclosure.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the clip is configured for manipulation with a finger to lock the lead to or unlock the lead from the enclosure.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 2 wherein the clip comprises a metal alloy wire bent into a generally rectangular shape with the ends of the wire inserted into the enclosure.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 3 wherein the metal alloy comprises nitinol.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 3 wherein the ends of the wire are welded together.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the lead connector comprises a lead plug configured with grooves or indentations for receiving the clip.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the enclosure further comprises:

a case; and

a header hermetically attached to the case;

wherein the clip is pivotally mounted the header; and

wherein the at least one receptacle is located in the header.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 7 wherein the clip is configured for manipulation with a finger to lock the lead to or unlock the lead from the enclosure.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 7 wherein the lead connector comprises a lead plug configured with grooves or indentations for receiving the clip.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 7 wherein the case is made from titanium.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 7 wherein the case is made from ceramic material.

12. An implantable medical device comprising:

(a) a ceramic or titanium case;

(b) device components mounted within the case;

(c) a header molded to the case;

(d) at least one receptacle formed within the header for receiving at least one lead connector;

(e) feed through terminals extending from the components within the case to the at least one receptacle within the header; and

(f) a lead system including at least one lead connector at the proximal end of a lead or lead extension, wherein the at least one lead connector comprises at least one lead pin and at least one lead plug;

wherein the at least one lead pin is inserted into the at least one receptacle, thereby making contact with the components within the case through the feed through terminals; and

(g) a clip pivotally mounted to the header;

wherein the clip is pivoted into place against the at least one lead connector, thereby securely locking the lead connector to the device.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 12 wherein the clip is configured for manipulation with a finger to lock the lead connector to or unlock the lead connector from the from the device.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 12 wherein the lead connector comprises a lead plug configured with grooves or indentations for receiving the clip.

15. A method of securing at least one lead to an enclosure of an implantable medical device, comprising:

(a) providing a lead connector at the proximal end of the at least one lead, the lead connector comprising at least one lead pin and at least one lead plug;

(b) providing in the enclosure at least one receptacle for receiving at least one

(c) pivotally mounting a clip to the enclosure;

(d) inserting at least one lead connector into the at least one receptacle; and

(e) pivoting the clip into place over the at least one lead plug to secure the at lead least one lead to the enclosure.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein pivoting the clip into place over the lead plug comprises using a finger to pivot the clip to lock and unlock the lead and enclosure.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the lead plug is configured with grooves or indentations for receiving the clip.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the clip consists essentially of nitinol.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the enclosure is formed of a hermetically sealed case and header, the clip is mounted to the header, and the at least one receptacle is provided in the header.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the header consists essentially of epoxy.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the case consists essentially of titanium.