Implantable neurostimulator adapters

• US 7,594,828 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Alexander, James A., Rahn, Jason D., Holle, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/678,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 439/668, 439/669, 607/36, 607/37
• US Class Current: 439/669
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An adapter for coupling a plug of an implantable neurostimulator lead extension to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes an elongate body, a connector including at least four contacts coupled to a first end of the elongate body, and a housing including at least two ports coupled to a second end of the elongate body. The adapter connector contacts provide for electrical coupling within the device port, and the adapter housing ports are arranged to receive side-by-side connector terminals of the lead extension plug. Housing contacts within each port provide for electrical coupling with corresponding contacts of the connector terminals of the lead extension plug and are coupled to corresponding contacts of the adapter connector via conductors extending within the elongate body between the housing and the connector.

Claims

1. An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extension plugs to a connector port of a neurostimulator device;

each plug of the pair of plugs including first and second connector terminals extending side-by-side;

each of the first and second connector terminals of each plug including a terminal pin contact and a contact surface spaced apart from the pin contact along a length of the corresponding connector terminal;

the adapter comprising;

an elongate body and eight elongate conductors extending therein;

a connector coupled to a first end of the elongate body, the connector including eight contacts, each of the eight connector contacts for electrical coupling with a corresponding device contact mounted within the connector port of the device, and each of the eight connector contacts coupled to a corresponding conductor of the eight elongate conductors; and

a housing coupled to a second end of the elongate body and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first face extending between the first and second sidewalls, a first pair of housing ports and a second pair of ports, each port of the first and second pairs of housing ports including a first housing contact and a second housing contact, each of the first and second housing contacts coupled to a corresponding connector contact via the corresponding conductor extending from the elongate body and into the housing;

wherein each port of the first and second pair of housing ports has an opening and all of the port openings face in a same general direction, being located on the first face of the housing, and being aligned with one another along a single line;

the first face of the housing includes a first portion, on which the first pair of housing port openings are located, and a second portion on which the second pair of housing port openings are located, the second portion of the first face being recessed from the first portion of the first face; and

each port opening provides for insertion of the corresponding connector terminal of the pair of extension plugs into the corresponding housing port for electrical coupling of the pin contact of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding first housing contact, and electrical coupling of the contact surface of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding second housing contact.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the eight connector contacts are spaced apart from one another along a length of the connector.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body extends from the housing to the connector in the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body extends from the housing to the connector in a direction approximately opposite to the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the elongate body includes a groove formed in proximity to the housing.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and approximately 20 centimeters.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a length greater than approximately 40 centimeters.

8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein a maximum thickness between the first and second housing sidewalls is no greater than approximately 0.3 inch.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sidewalls of the housing has a relatively flat outer surface extending alongside all of the housing ports.

10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first housing contact of each of the housing ports comprises a set screw mounted in a set screw block.

11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the housing further includes an access port for each of the set screws, and none of the access ports are located along either sidewall of the housing.

12. The adapter of claim 10, wherein at least two of the set screws are mounted such that a shaft of each of the two set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face of the housing.

13. The adapter of claim 10, wherein:

a first of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the first set screw extends approximately parallel with the first face of the housing; and

a second, a third and a fourth of the set screws are all mounted such that a shaft of each of the second, third and fourth set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face of the housing.

14. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a hole extending therethrough from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.

15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the hole is lined with a reinforcing material.

16. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a second face extending between the first and second sidewalls, the second face opposite the first face, a third face extending between the first and second sidewalls and between the first and second faces, and a hole extending through the housing from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the hole located in proximity to an intersection of the second and third faces of the housing.

17. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the housing further includes a second face extending between the first and second sidewalls, the second face being opposite the first face, a third face extending between the first and second sidewalls and between the first and second faces, an access port for a first of the set screws located along the third face, and an access port for each of a second, third and fourth of the set screws located along the second face.

18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the second face extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face.

19. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the second face includes a first portion on which the access port for the second set screw is located, and a second portion, recessed from the first portion of the second face, on which the access port for each of the third and fourth set screws is located.

20. An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extension plugs to a connector port of a neurostimulator device;

each plug of the pair of plugs including first and second connector terminals extending side-by-side;

each of the first and second connector terminals of each plug including a terminal pin contact and a contact surface spaced apart from the pin contact along a length of the corresponding connector terminal;

the adapter comprising;

an elongate body and eight elongate conductors extending therein;

a connector coupled to a first end of the elongate body, the connector including eight contacts, each of the eight connector contacts for electrical coupling with a corresponding device contact mounted within the connector port of the device, and each of the eight connector contacts coupled to a corresponding conductor of the eight elongate conductors; and

a housing coupled to a second end of the elongate body and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first face extending between the first and second sidewalls, a second face opposite the first face and extending between the first and second sidewalls, a third face extending between the first and second sidewalls and between the first and second faces, a first pair of housing ports and a second pair of ports, each port of the first and second pairs of housing ports including a first housing contact and a second housing contact, each of the first and second housing contacts being coupled to a corresponding connector contact via the corresponding conductor extending from the elongate body and into the housing;

wherein the first housing contact of each of the housing ports comprises a set screw mounted in a set screw block, and the housing further comprises an access port for a first of the set screws located along the third face, and an access port for each of a second, third and fourth of the set screws located along the second face;

each port of the first and second pair of housing ports has an opening and all of the port openings face in a same general direction, being located on the first face of the housing, and being aligned with one another along a single line; and

each port opening provides for insertion of the corresponding connector terminal of the pair of extension plugs into the corresponding housing port for electrical coupling of the pin contact of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding first housing contact, and electrical coupling of the contact surface of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding second housing contact.

21. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the second face extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face.

22. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the second face includes a first portion on which the access port for the second set screw is located, and a second portion, recessed from the first portion of the second face, on which the access port for each of the third and fourth set screws is located.

23. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the eight connector contacts are spaced apart from one another along a length of the connector.

24. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the elongate body extends from the housing to the connector in the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

25. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the elongate body extends from the housing to the connector in a direction approximately opposite to the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

26. The adapter of claim 25, wherein the elongate body includes a groove formed in proximity to the housing.

27. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the elongate body has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and approximately 20 centimeters.

28. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the elongate body has a length greater than approximately 40 centimeters.

29. The adapter of claim 20, wherein a maximum thickness between the first and second housing sidewalls is no greater than approximately 0.3 inch.

30. The adapter of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second sidewalls of the housing has a relatively flat outer surface extending alongside all of the housing ports.

31. The adapter of claim 20, wherein at least two of the set screws are mounted such that a shaft of each of the two set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face of the housing.

32. The adapter of claim 20, wherein:

the first of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the first set screw extends approximately parallel with the first face of the housing; and

the second, a third and a fourth of the set screws are all mounted such that a shaft of each of the second, third and fourth set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face of the housing.

33. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the housing further includes a hole extending therethrough from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.

34. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the hole is lined with a reinforcing material.

35. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the hole is located in proximity to an intersection of the second and third faces of the housing.

36. An adapter for coupling a plug of an implantable neurostimulator lead extension to a connector port of a neurostimulator device;

the plug including first and second connector terminals extending side-by-side;

each of the first and second connector terminals of the plug including a terminal pin contact and a contact surface spaced apart from the pin contact along a length of the corresponding connector terminal;

the adapter comprising;

an elongate body and four elongate conductors extending therein;

a connector coupled to a first end of the elongate body, the connector including four contacts, each of the four connector contacts for electrical coupling with a corresponding device contact mounted within the connector port of the device and each of the four connector contacts coupled to a corresponding conductor of the four elongate conductors; and

a housing coupled to a second end of the elongate body and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first face extending between the first and second sidewalls, a second face opposite the first face and extending between the first and second sidewalls, a third face extending between the first and second sidewalls and between the first and second faces, and a pair of housing ports, each port of the pair of housing ports including a first housing contact and a second housing contact, each of the first and second housing contacts coupled to a corresponding connector contact via the corresponding lead wire extending from the elongate body and into the housing;

wherein the first housing contact of each of the pair of housing ports comprises a set screw mounted in a set screw block, and the housing further comprises an access port for a first of the set screws located along the third face, and an access port for a second of the set screws located along the second face;

each port of the pair of housing ports has an opening and both of the pair of port openings face in a same general direction, being located on the first face of the housing;

each port opening provides for insertion of the corresponding connector terminal of the extension plug into the corresponding housing port for electrical coupling of the pin contact of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding first housing contact, and electrical coupling of the contact surface of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding second housing contact; and

the elongate body extends from the housing to the connector in the same general direction in which the pair of housing port openings faces.

37. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the four connector contacts are spaced apart from one another along a length of the connector.

38. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the first and second sidewalls define a maximum thickness of the housing that is no greater than approximately 0.3 inch.

39. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the elongate body has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and approximately 20 centimeters.

40. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the elongate body has a length greater than approximately 40 centimeters.

41. The adapter of claim 36, wherein at least one of the first and second sidewalls of the housing has a relatively flat outer surface extending alongside the pair of housing ports.

42. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the second face extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face.

43. The adapter of claim 36, wherein:

a first of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the first set screw extends approximately parallel with the first face of the housing; and

a second of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the second set screw extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first face of the housing.

44. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the housing further includes a hole extending therethrough from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.

45. The adapter of claim 44, wherein the hole is lined with a reinforcing material.

46. The adapter of claim 44, wherein the hole is located in proximity to an intersection between the second and third faces of the housing.

47. An extension system for coupling an implantable neurostimulator lead to a connector port of a neurostimulator device, the system comprising:

a lead extension including an elongate body, a connector port, coupled to a first end of the elongate body, for receiving a connector terminal of the neurostimulator lead, and an extension plug coupled to a second end of the elongate body, the extension plug including first and second connector terminals extending side-by-side;

each of the first and second plug connector terminals including a terminal pin contact and a contact surface spaced apart from the pin contact along a length of the corresponding plug connector terminal; and

an adapter comprising;

an elongate body and eight elongate conductors extending therein;

a connector coupled to a first end of the elongate body, the connector including eight contacts, each of the eight connector contacts for electrical coupling with a corresponding device contact mounted within the connector port of the device, and each of the eight connector contacts coupled to a corresponding conductor of the eight elongate conductors; and

a housing coupled to a second end of the elongate body and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first face extending between the first and second sidewalls, a first pair of housing ports and a second pair of ports, each port of the first and second pairs of housing ports including a first housing contact and a second housing contact, each of the first and second housing contacts coupled to a corresponding connector contact via the corresponding conductor extending from the elongate body and into the housing;

wherein each port of the first and second pair of housing ports has an opening and all of the port openings face in a same general direction, being located on the first face of the housing, and being aligned with one another along a single line;

the first face of the adapter housing includes a first portion, on which the first pair of housing port openings are located, and a second portion, on which the second pair of housing port openings are located;

the second portion of the first face being recessed from the first portion of the first face; and

each port opening provides for insertion of the corresponding connector terminal of the extension plug into the corresponding housing port for electrical coupling of the pin contact of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding first housing contact, and electrical coupling of the contact surface of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding second housing contact.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the eight connector contacts of the adapter are spaced apart from one another along a length of the connector.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the elongate body of the adapter extends from the housing to the connector in the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the elongate body of the adapter extends from the housing to the connector in a direction approximately opposite to the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the elongate body of the adapter includes a groove formed in proximity to the housing.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein the elongate body of the adapter has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and approximately 20 centimeters.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein a maximum thickness between the first and second adapter housing sidewalls is no greater than approximately 0.3 inch.

54. The system of claim 47, wherein at least one of the first and second adapter housing sidewalls has a relatively flat outer surface extending alongside all of the housing ports.

55. The system of claim 47, wherein the first housing contact of each of the adapter housing ports comprises a set screw mounted in a set screw block.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the adapter housing further includes an access port for each of the set screws, and none of the access ports are located along either housing sidewall.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein at least two of the set screws are mounted such that a shaft of each of the two set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein:

a first of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the first set screw extends approximately parallel with the first housing face; and

a second, a third and a fourth of the set screws are all mounted such that a shaft of each of the second, third and fourth set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

59. The system of claim 47, wherein the adapter housing further includes a suture hole extending therethrough from the first housing sidewall to the second housing sidewall.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the suture hole is lined with a reinforcing material.

61. The system of claim 47, wherein the adapter housing further includes a second face extending between the first and second housing sidewalls, the second face opposite the first housing face, a third face extending between the first and second housing sidewalls and between the first and second housing faces, and a hole extending through the housing from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the hole located in proximity to an intersection between the second and third faces of the housing.

62. The system of claim 55, wherein the adapter housing further includes a second face extending between the first and second housing sidewalls, the second face being opposite the first housing face, a third face extending between the first and second housing sidewalls and between the first and second housing faces, an access port for a first of the set screws located along the third face, and an access port for each of a second, third and fourth of the set screws located along the second face.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the second housing face extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the second housing face includes a first portion on which the access port for the second set screw is located, and a second portion, recessed from the first portion of the second housing face, on which the access port for each of the third and fourth set screws is located.

65. An extension system for coupling an implantable neurostimulator lead to a connector port of a neurostimulator device, the system comprising:

a lead extension including an elongate body, a connector port, coupled to a first end of the elongate body, for receiving a connector terminal of the neurostimulator lead, and an extension plug coupled to a second end of the elongate body, the extension plug including first and second connector terminals extending side-by-side;

each of the first and second plug connector terminals including a terminal pin contact and a contact surface spaced apart from the pin contact along a length of the corresponding plug connector terminal; and

an adapter comprising;

an elongate body and eight elongate conductors extending therein;

a connector coupled to a first end of the elongate body, the connector including eight contacts, each of the eight connector contacts for electrical coupling with a corresponding device contact mounted within the connector port of the device, and each of the eight connector contacts coupled to a corresponding conductor of the eight elongate conductors; and

a housing coupled to a second end of the elongate body and including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first face extending between the first and second sidewalls, a second face opposite the first face and extending between the first and second housing sidewalls, a third face extending between the first and second housing sidewalls and between the first and second housing faces, a first pair of housing ports and a second pair of ports, each port of the first and second pairs of housing ports including a first housing contact and a second housing contact, each of the first and second housing contacts coupled to a corresponding connector contact via the corresponding conductor extending from the elongate body and into the housing;

wherein each port of the first and second pair of housing ports has an opening and all of the port openings face in a same general direction, being located on the first face of the housing, and being aligned with one another along a single line;

the first housing contact of each of the housing ports comprises a set screw mounted in a set screw block, and the housing further comprises an access port for a first of the set screws located along the third face, and an access port for each of a second, third and fourth of the set screws located along the second face; and

each port opening provides for insertion of the corresponding connector terminal of the extension plug into the corresponding housing port for electrical coupling of the pin contact of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding first housing contact, and electrical coupling of the contact surface of each plug connector terminal with the corresponding second housing contact.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the second housing face extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

67. The system of claim 65, wherein the second housing face includes a first portion on which the access port for the second set screw is located, and a second portion, recessed from the first portion of the second housing face, on which the access port for each of the third and fourth set screws is located.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein the eight connector contacts of the adapter are spaced apart from one another along a length of the connector.

69. The system of claim 65, wherein the elongate body of the adapter extends from the housing to the connector in the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

70. The system of claim 65, wherein the elongate body of the adapter extends from the housing to the connector in a direction approximately opposite to the same general direction in which each of the housing port openings faces.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the elongate body of the adapter includes a groove formed in proximity to the housing.

72. The system of claim 65, wherein the elongate body of the adapter has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and approximately 20 centimeters.

73. The system of claim 65, wherein a maximum thickness between the first and second adapter housing sidewalls is no greater than approximately 0.3 inch.

74. The system of claim 65, wherein at least one of the first and second adapter housing sidewalls has a relatively flat outer surface extending alongside all of the housing ports.

75. The system of claim 65, wherein at least two of the set screws are mounted such that a shaft of each of the two set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

76. The system of claim 65, wherein:

the first of the set screws is mounted such that a shaft of the first set screw extends approximately parallel with the first housing face; and

the second, a third and a fourth of the set screws are all mounted such that a shaft of each of the second, third and fourth set screws extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the first housing face.

77. The system of claim 65, wherein the adapter housing further includes a hole extending therethrough from the first housing sidewall to the second housing sidewall.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the hole is lined with a reinforcing material.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein the hole is located in proximity to an intersection between the second and third faces of the housing.