Connector module having internal weld plates

• US 6,792,312 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rivera, Edwin, Patras, George, Bruchmann, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/947,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36-38, 607/1, 607/2
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/18 End pieces terminating in a probe
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/023 between cables or wires and terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables

Abstract

An improved system and method for interconnecting an electrical device to a connector is provided. A connector assembly includes at least one connector block. The connector block may be of a type adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to an electrical lead, although any other type of connector for forming an electrical contact may be employed. The connector assembly further includes at least one weld plate. A conductor such as a wire is routed between the connector block and the weld plate and electrically coupled to both structures. The connector assembly is adapted to be fastened to a device housed within an enclosure, such as an implantable medical device residing within a can. A conductor extending from circuitry within the housing may be electrically coupled to the weld plate to thereby form an electrical connection between the circuitry and the connector block.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device for use with one or more implantable leads, the implantable medical device comprising:

a housing portion for housing electronic circuitry, the housing portion including a feedthrough;

a connector assembly fixedly engaged with the housing portion and including one or more connector receptacles adapted to receive the one or more leads;

a plurality of connector blocks fixedly positioned within the connector assembly such that each forms a coupling for a one of the one or more leads within a one of the one or more connector receptacles;

a plurality of first conductors each including a first portion coupled to a one of the plurality of connector blocks and a second portion extending from the first portion;

a plurality of second conductors each including a first portion coupled to the electronic circuitry and a second portion extending from the first portion outward from the housing portion through the feedthrough;

a plurality of weld plates;

a plurality of first weld joints each formed between a one of the plurality of first conductor second portions and a one of the plurality of weld plates; and

a plurality of second weld joints each formed between a one of the plurality of second conductor second portions and a one of the plurality of weld plates.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first conductor second portions is individually routed within the connector assembly to a one of the plurality of weld plates.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein;

the connector assembly further includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and

wherein the plurality of weld plates are mounted in the sidewall.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the connector assembly further includes a conductor receptacle extending from the sidewall laterally into the connector assembly to route a one of the plurality of first conductor second portions from a one of the plurality of connector blocks to a one of the plurality of weld plates.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the connector assembly sidewall further includes a channel for routing a one of the plurality of first conductor second portions from a one of the plurality of connector blocks to a one of the plurality of weld plates.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein:

the housing portion further includes a housing top portion, a housing bottom portion, and a housing side portion extending between the housing top portion and the housing bottom portion;

the connector assembly bottom surface as fixedly engaged against the housing top portion;

the connector assembly sidewall further includes a flange portion extending from the bottom surface of the connector assembly, the flange portion including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface fixedly engaged against the housing side portion; and

the plurality of weld plates are mounted in the flange portion of the sidewall.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein a one or more of the plurality of weld plates is adhesively attached to the sidewall.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein a one or more of the plurality of weld plates is molded into the sidewall.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weld plates are positioned approximately coplanar.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first joints and the plurality of second joints are formed via parallel gap welding.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tubing guide positioned about a one of the plurality of first conductor second portions.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tubing guide positioned about a one of the plurality of second conductor second portions.