Connector apparatus for a medical device

• US 6,878,013 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edgar G. Behan
• Original Assignee: Edgar G. Behan
• Inventors: Behan, Edgar G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US10/725,687
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 439668-669, 439/335, 439/835, 607/37, 607/116
• US Class Current: 439/668
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/111 co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/187 with spring member in the socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A connector block assembly for an implantable medical device is described. The connector block generally includes a first and second housing connected to one another forming an indentation that holds a tab. A canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration is further held within the indentation. The connector block assembly is adapted to be placed within a header, or connector top assembly for an implantable medical device. The tab can be connected to feedthrough wires from the internal circuitry within the medical device. The connector block assembly can interface with a medical electrode to connect a patient'"'"'s tissue with the medical device.

Claims

1. A connector block apparatus to receive a medical electrode having at least one connector contact ring, comprising:

a canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration secured to a tab to form electrical contact with the connector contact ring; and

a first housing connected to a second housing forming an internal indentation when the first and second housings are connected, the tab and the canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration being held within the indentation;

wherein the tab includes a ring portion and a pad portion, the ring portion being held within the indentation and the pad portion being external to the first and second housings.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration is held within the interior diameter of the ring portion.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a first engaging face on the first housing, the first engaging face having a first protrusion and a first cavity; and

a second engaging face on the second housing, the second engaging face having a second protrusion and a second cavity, wherein the first protrusion of the first engaging face is received within the second cavity of the second engaging face and the second protrusion of the second engaging face is received within the first cavity of the first engaging face to secure the first housing to the second housing and to secure the tab in an indentation between the first engaging face and the second engaging face.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a sealing face on each of the housings on a side opposite the engaging faces.

5. An implantable medical system, comprising:

an implantable medical device having a housing and a header, or connector top assembly having a hollow interior and connected to the housing;

a connector assembly located within the hollow interior of the header, or connector top assembly, a connector block forming a portion of an elongated cavity; and

an electrode with a plurality of connector contact rings engaged within the elongated cavity;

wherein the connector assembly comprises a plurality of connector blocks, each of the connector blocks further comprising;

a canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration secured to a tab; and

a first housing connected in opposition to a second housing, the canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration and the tab being held within an internal circular indentation formed between the first and second housings.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the medical device is a neurostimulation device.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the medical device is a pacemaker.

8. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the medical device is a anti-tachycardia pacer.

9. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the medical device is a defibrillator.

10. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first housing includes a first engaging face with the first engaging face having a first protrusion and a first cavity and the second housing includes a second engaging face with the second engaging face having a second protrusion and a second cavity, wherein the first protrusion of the first engaging face is received within the second cavity of the second engaging face and the second protrusion of the second engaging face is received within the first cavity of the first engaging face to secure the first housing to the second housing and to secure the tab between the first engaging face and the second engaging face within the indentation.

11. The system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a sealing face located on either side of each connector block adjacent a corresponding port opening through which the electrode fits.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a seal located within the sealing face of adjacent connector blocks of the connector assembly.

13. An implantable medical kit, comprising:

an implantable medical device having a housing, a header, or connector top assembly connected to a portion of the housing and internal electronics;

a connector assembly adapted to be held within the header, or connector top assembly; and

an electrode adapted to engage with the connector assembly and further adapted to interface with a patient;

wherein the connector assembly comprises one or more connector blocks; and

wherein each of the connector blocks includes a first and second housing engaged with each other forming an internal indentation including a ring portion of a tab, the ring portion securing a canted spring or any other electrically conductive displacable configuration within the indentation.

14. The kit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a planar pad recession on each connector block including a planar pad portion connected to the ring portion, the planar pad portion being adapted to connect to a feed through wire connected to the implantable medical device.

15. The kit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising one or more seals adapted to be placed within sealing faces on the connector blocks.