Apparatus for actively monitoring device for lead fixation in implantable tissue stimulators
First Claim
1. In an implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing containing an electronic circuit, a header affixed to the housing and having at least one lead terminal receiving bore formed therein, a lead lock member having a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a proximal end portion of a medical lead terminal inserted into the lead terminal receiving bore, a threaded transverse bore intersecting the longitudinal bore of the lead lock member and a setscrew contained in the threaded bore for locking the lead terminal lead lock member, the improvement comprising:
- (a) a force sensor disposed in the header for producing a signal indicative of the force applied to the lead terminal by said setscrew; and
(b) a feed through having conductors connecting the force sensor to a node of the electronic circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To provide a positive indication that a medical lead terminal is properly secured within the longitudinal bore in the header of an implantable medical device there is provided a force sensor (strain gauge) positioned within the device'"'"'s lead receiving bore and cooperating with the lock mechanism to provide an indication of the amount of force being exerted on the lead terminal to retain it in place. The force sensor provides an output signal through the device'"'"'s feedthrough wires to the electronic circuit contained within a hermetically sealed housing and is compared by a microprocessor to preprogrammed values. The results of the comparison may then be telemetered to an external programmer device for analysis by a physician.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In an implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing containing an electronic circuit, a header affixed to the housing and having at least one lead terminal receiving bore formed therein, a lead lock member having a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a proximal end portion of a medical lead terminal inserted into the lead terminal receiving bore, a threaded transverse bore intersecting the longitudinal bore of the lead lock member and a setscrew contained in the threaded bore for locking the lead terminal lead lock member, the improvement comprising:
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(a) a force sensor disposed in the header for producing a signal indicative of the force applied to the lead terminal by said setscrew; and (b) a feed through having conductors connecting the force sensor to a node of the electronic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An implantable tissue stimulator comprising:
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(a) a pulse generator incorporating an electronic circuit contained within a hermetically sealed housing and a header affixed to an exterior of the housing, the header having a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a proximal terminal of a tissue stimulating lead therein, the header including a contact ring and a lead locking member within the longitudinal bore, the contact ring being connected to the electronic circuit by a feed through conductor; and (b) a force sensor operatively coupled to the lead locking member and to the electronic circuit for providing an indication of a force exerted by the lead locking member on the proximal terminal of the tissue stimulating lead when the proximal terminal is inserted into the longitudinal bore. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification