Implantable connector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable electrical connector comprising:
- a first body portion having a plurality of first contacts;
a second body portion having a plurality of second contacts, wherein said first and second body portions are configured such that each said second contact is operatively aligned with a corresponding first contact when the first and second body portions are engaged with each other;
wherein each individual pair of corresponding first and second contacts comprises a penetrating contact and a receiving contact, said penetrating and receiving contacts configured to releasably inter-engage therebetween upon engagement between said first and second body portions,and further wherein at least one of said first or second contacts is exposed to the environment prior to their engagement; and
a non-penetrating conducting portion disposed on said penetrating contact, wherein said penetrating contact is non-conducting.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable electrical connector is disclosed for use with implanted medical devices. Each part of the connector has an array of contacts which can mate, one part being a cutting contact and the other half a receiving contact. When mated, this forms a reliable electrical connection.
49 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An implantable electrical connector comprising:
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a first body portion having a plurality of first contacts; a second body portion having a plurality of second contacts, wherein said first and second body portions are configured such that each said second contact is operatively aligned with a corresponding first contact when the first and second body portions are engaged with each other; wherein each individual pair of corresponding first and second contacts comprises a penetrating contact and a receiving contact, said penetrating and receiving contacts configured to releasably inter-engage therebetween upon engagement between said first and second body portions, and further wherein at least one of said first or second contacts is exposed to the environment prior to their engagement; and a non-penetrating conducting portion disposed on said penetrating contact, wherein said penetrating contact is non-conducting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising:
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a first component electrically connected to a first connector portion having a plurality of first contacts; and a second component electrically connected to a second connector portion having a plurality of second contacts, wherein said first and second body portions are configured such that each said second contact is operatively aligned with a corresponding first contact when the first and second body portions are engaged with each other; wherein each individual pair of corresponding first and second contacts comprise a penetrating contact and a receiving contact, said penetrating and receiving contacts configured to realeasably inter-engage therebetween upon engagement between said first and second components, and further wherein at least one of said first or second contacts are exposed to the environment prior to their forced engagement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A cochlear implant, comprising:
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a first component electrically connected to a first connector portion having a plurality of first contacts; and a second component electrically connected to a second connector portion having a plurality of second contacts, the second contacts being operatively alignable with corresponding ones of said first contacts; wherein each individual pair of corresponding first and second contacts comprises a cutting contact and a receiving contact, to enable releasable inter-engagement and electrical connection therebetween, upon alignment of and forced engagement between said first and second connector components. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification