Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A connector assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of electrically conductive ring contact elements arranged coaxially, each ring contact element including an annular groove about its inner circumference;
a plurality of electrically conductive garter-type spring contact elements positioned within the grooves; and
a plurality of electrically non-conductive seal rings interposed between adjacent ones of the ring contact elements and arranged coaxially therewith;
wherein the ring contact elements and the seal rings engage one another in an interlocking snap fit fashion to resist axial separation of the ring contact elements and the seal rings from one another in the absence of applied compression.
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Abstract
Connector assemblies for use to concurrently transmit multiple signals or sources. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. The connector assemblies may be used in a number of industries and applications.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A connector assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of electrically conductive ring contact elements arranged coaxially, each ring contact element including an annular groove about its inner circumference; a plurality of electrically conductive garter-type spring contact elements positioned within the grooves; and a plurality of electrically non-conductive seal rings interposed between adjacent ones of the ring contact elements and arranged coaxially therewith; wherein the ring contact elements and the seal rings engage one another in an interlocking snap fit fashion to resist axial separation of the ring contact elements and the seal rings from one another in the absence of applied compression. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A connector assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of electrically conductive ring contact elements arranged coaxially, each ring contact element including an inner annular groove about an inner circumference and an outer annular groove about an outer surface; a plurality of electrically conductive spring contact elements positioned within the inner annular grooves; and a plurality of electrically non-conductive seal rings interposed between adjacent ones of the ring contact elements and arranged coaxially therewith; wherein each of the seal rings protrudes radially beyond outer surfaces of the ring contact elements; and wherein the outer annular groove of each ring contact element aligns with an inwardly extending annular flange on an inner surface of each ring contact element. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of assembling a connector assembly, the method comprising:
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positioning a plurality of electrically conductive garter-type spring contact elements within grooves of a plurality of electrically conductive ring contact elements; interlocking a first seal ring with a first one of the ring contact elements such that the first seal ring and the first ring contact element are coaxial, the first seal ring being electrically non-conductive; and interlocking successive seal rings and ring contact elements in coaxial alignment with a snap fit engagement, and with the seal rings interposed between adjacent ones of the ring contact elements, until a desired number of ring contact elements have been added; wherein the interlocked seal rings and ring contact elements resist separation of the ring contact elements and the seal rings from one another in the absence of applied compression. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification