Axial lead connector for implantable medical devices
First Claim
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1. An implantable medical device comprising:
- a connector header defining a first axial bore and comprising a stop surface within the first axial bore; and
a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and a locking device arranged in an axial stack mounted within the first axial bore,wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and the locking device,wherein the second axial bore is configured to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead,wherein the locking device exerts a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces,wherein the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements,wherein the first axial bore comprises an axial opening that is configured to axially receive the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and locking device when the electrical connector elements, fluid seal, and locking device are axially inserted,wherein the locking device includes a flange that engages the stop surface to position the locking device, andwherein the locking device is electrically conductive and is disposed within the second axial bore at a position corresponding to an electrically conductive contact carried by the proximal end of the lead.
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Abstract
An axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD) facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line connector components. The connector components define a common lead bore to receive a proximal end of an implantable lead. The in-line stack of connector components may include seals, electrical connector elements, a strain relief, and a locking device, each of which defines a passage that forms part of the lead bore.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a connector header defining a first axial bore and comprising a stop surface within the first axial bore; and a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and a locking device arranged in an axial stack mounted within the first axial bore, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and the locking device, wherein the second axial bore is configured to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein the locking device exerts a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces, wherein the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the first axial bore comprises an axial opening that is configured to axially receive the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and locking device when the electrical connector elements, fluid seal, and locking device are axially inserted, wherein the locking device includes a flange that engages the stop surface to position the locking device, and wherein the locking device is electrically conductive and is disposed within the second axial bore at a position corresponding to an electrically conductive contact carried by the proximal end of the lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a connector header defining a first axial bore and comprising a stop surface within the first axial bore; and an axial stack of connector components within the first axial bore, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore extending through the components that is configured to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein the components include electrical connector elements, fluid seals, a locking device that exerts a force to resist displacement of the lead, and a strain relief member, wherein the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the first axial bore comprises an axial opening that is configured to axially receive the axial stack when the axial stack is axially inserted, and wherein the locking device includes a flange that engages the stop surface to position the locking device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a connector header defining a first axial bore and comprising a stop surface within the first axial bore; a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, a locking device, and a strain relief member arranged in an axial stack mounted within the first axial bore, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, the locking device, and the strain relief member; and a fixation member coupled to the strain relief member to retain the axial stack within the first axial bore, wherein the second axial bore is configured to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein the locking device exerts a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces, wherein the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the first axial bore comprises an axial opening that is configured to axially receive the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and locking device, and wherein the locking device includes a flange that engages the stop surface to position the locking device when the electrical connector elements, fluid seal, and locking device are axially inserted.
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22. A method for assembling an electrical connector assembly for an implantable medical device comprising:
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arranging a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and a locking device in an axial stack; and axially inserting the axial stack into a first axial bore defined by a connector header, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and the locking device to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein axially inserting the axial stack comprises axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore such that the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the locking device is configured to exert a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces, wherein the locking device includes a flange, wherein axially inserting the axial stack includes axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore until the flange engages a stop surface of the connector header to position the locking device, wherein the locking device includes a set screw assembly with a set screw that is rotatable to extend into the second axial bore and exert the lateral force against the lead, and wherein the set screw assembly is electrically conductive. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for assembling an electrical connector assembly for an implantable medical device comprising:
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arranging a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and a locking device in an axial stack; and axially inserting the axial stack into a first axial bore defined by a connector header, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, and the locking device to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein axially inserting the axial stack comprises axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore such that the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the locking device is configured to exert a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces, wherein the locking device includes a flange, wherein axially inserting the axial stack includes axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore until the flange engages a stop surface of the connector header to position the locking device, and wherein the locking device is electrically conductive, and arranging further includes arranging the locking device in the axial stack at a position corresponding to an electrically conductive contact carried by the proximal end of the lead.
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34. A method for assembling an electrical connector assembly for an implantable medical device comprising:
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arranging a series of electrical connector elements, fluid seals, a locking device, and a strain relief member in an axial stack; axially inserting the axial stack into a first axial bore defined by a connector header; and coupling a fixation member to the strain relief member to retain the axial stack within the first axial bore, wherein the axial stack defines a second axial bore that extends through the electrical connector elements, fluid seals, the locking device, and the strain relief member to receive a proximal end of an implantable medical lead, wherein axially inserting the axial stack comprises axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore such that the locking device is positioned within the axial stack at a position distal to at least one of the electrical connector elements, wherein the locking device is configured to exert a lateral force against the lead such that the proximal end of the lead substantially resists axial displacement under axial loading forces, and wherein the locking device includes a flange, wherein axially inserting the axial stack includes axially inserting the axial stack into the first axial bore until the flange engages a stop surface of the connector header to position the locking device.
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Specification