Visual indicator of proper interconnection for an implanted medical device

• US 8,206,175 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deringer-Ney, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Deringer-Ney, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Garth W., Engel, Aaron, Dubuc, Dana, Smith, Edward F. III, Poppy, Michael E., Grant, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US12/857,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20110039445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 439/490, 439/489, 439/717, 439/909
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

During implant of an implantable medical device, implanted cables or leads are inserted to a connector block. An insertion indicator provides the user with a visual indication the cables or leads have been correctly inserted into the connector block, which enables the implanted medical device to properly deliver treatment or receive signals via the implanted cables or leads. The insertion indicator may be provided by a mechanical indicator optically viewable once the lead has been correctly inserted, and/or may be provided by an electrically activated light indicator illuminated by a power source associated with the connector block or with a connector tool used to connect the lead or cable to the connector block upon correct insertion of the lead or cable. The insertion indicator may be permanently or removably disposed on the connector block, a connector tool, and/or a can associated with the connector block.

Claims

1. An electrical connection apparatus comprising:

a connector block comprising at least one pin receiving portion defined by an inner wall within the connector block, the at least one pin receiving portion for receiving a pin of one of an implantable lead and an implantable medical device;

at least one electrical connection contact comprising a first portion disposed within the at least one pin receiving portion, the first portion for receiving the pin, and a second portion disposed at an exterior to the connector block, the second portion for coupling with the other of the implantable medical device and the implantable medical device, wherein the first portion and the second portion integrally form the at least one electrical connection contact; and

an insertion indicator comprising an indicator light operably coupled to an indicator switch associated with the at least one pin receiving portion, wherein the indicator light is in a first state prior to the pin being received in the connector block and when the pin is incorrectly received in the connector block, and wherein the indicator switch actuates when the pin has been correctly received in the pin receiving portion and causes the indicator light to assume a second state different from the first state.

2. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first or the second state corresponds to an illuminated state of the indicator light, and the other state corresponds to a non-illuminated state of the indicator light.

3. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first or the second state corresponds to a first light color, and the other state corresponds to a second light color different from the first color.

4. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 1, wherein a force exerted on the switch by advancing the pin in the pin receiving portion causes the indicator light to change state.

5. An electrical connection apparatus and a power source for removably coupling with the electrical connection apparatus, wherein the electrical connection apparatus comprises:

a connector block comprising at least one pin receiving portion defined by an inner wall within the connector block;

at least one electrical connection contact comprising a first portion disposed within the at least one pin receiving portion, the first portion for receiving a pin, and a second portion disposed at an exterior to the connector block, wherein the first portion and the second portion integrally form the at least one electrical connection contact; and

an insertion indicator comprising an indicator light operably coupled to an indicator switch, the indicator switch associated with the at least one pin receiving portion and comprises electrical conductors at the exterior of the connector block; and

wherein the power source is removably associated with the connector block;

wherein upon connecting the power source with the electrical conductors and incorrect insertion of the pin in the pin receiving portion, the indicator light assumes a first state, and upon connecting the power source with the electrical conductors and correct insertion of the pin in the pin receiving portion, the switch and couples the electrical conductors such that the connected power source delivers power to the indicator light to cause the indicator light to assume a second state different from the first state; and

wherein upon removing the power source, the pin remains in the correct position.

6. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an engaging tool for engaging the electrical connection apparatus, wherein the engaging tool houses the power source and is removably associated with a portion of the exterior of the connector block comprising the electrical conductors.

7. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an activating shaft that runs longitudinally in the connector block, wherein the engaging tool engages with the activating shaft and rotates the activating shaft such that the activating shaft moves the first portion to reduce a diameter of the first portion around the pin.

8. The electrical connection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the engaging tool comprises a conductive cylinder that contacts the electrical conductors and delivers power from the power source to the electrical conductors.

9. An electrical connection apparatus and an engaging tool for removably coupling with the electrical connection apparatus, wherein the electrical connection apparatus comprises:

a connector block comprising at least one pin receiving portion defined by an inner wall within the connector block;

at least one electrical connection contact comprising a first portion disposed within the at least one pin receiving portion, the first portion for receiving a pin, and a second portion disposed at an exterior of the connector block, wherein the first portion and the second portion integrally form the at least one electrical connection contact; and

an indicator switch operably coupled to the pin receiving portion, wherein the indicator switch comprises electrical conductors extending to the exterior of the connector block; and

wherein the engaging tool comprises;

a power source;

an insertion indicator comprising an indicator light coupled to the power source; and

an engaging shaft for removably engaging with the connector block, wherein the engaging shaft is coupled to the power source and comprises an electrically conductive area for coupling to the electrical conductors of the indicator switch;

wherein when the engaging tool is engaged with the electrical conductors at the exterior of the connector block and the pin has been correctly received in the pin receiving portion, the indicator switch couples the electrical conductors with the power source so that the indicator light is in a first state; and

wherein the indicator light is in a second state different from the first state when the engaging tool is engaged with the connector block but prior to the pin being received in the pin receiving portion.

10. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 9, wherein the indicator light first or second state corresponds to an illuminated state, and the other state of the indicator light corresponds to a non-illuminated state.

11. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 9, wherein the indicator light first or second state corresponds to a first light color, and the other state of the indicator light corresponds to a second light color different from the first color.

12. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 9, wherein the insertion indicator further comprises another indicator light that is in a first state prior to the pin being received in the connector block and the pin being incorrectly received in the connector block, and is in a second state upon correct insertion of the pin, wherein the first state and second state of the indicator light differ from the first state and the second state of the another indicator light.

13. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 12, wherein the another indicator light first or second state corresponds to an illuminated state, and the other state of the another indicator light corresponds to a non-illuminated state.

14. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 12, wherein the another indicator light first or second state corresponds to a first light color, and the other state of the another indicator light corresponds to a second light color different from the first color.

15. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 9, wherein the electrical connection apparatus comprises a plurality of indicator switches, each indicator switch operably coupled one pin receiving portion, wherein the indicator switches comprise electrical conductors extending to the exterior of the connector block and the insertion indicator of the engaging tool comprises a plurality of indicator lights, and wherein each indicator light is associated with one pin receiving portion.

16. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 15, wherein each indicator switch is associated with a resistance unique to the switch with respect to the plurality of indicator switches, and wherein the engaging tool comprises circuitry for identifying actuation of the particular switch and changes a state of a corresponding indicator light.

17. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 9, wherein the electrical connection apparatus further comprises an activating shaft that runs longitudinally in the connector block and an activating shaft switch operably coupled to the activating shaft and actuates in response to movement of the actuating shaft, wherein the activating shaft switch comprises electrical conductors for contacting the engaging tool extending to the exterior of the connector block, and the engaging tool further comprises an activating shaft indicator light, wherein when the engaging tool engages with the activating shaft and moves the activating shaft from an un-latched state to a latched state, the activating shaft switch is actuated to cause the activating shaft indicator light to change from a first state to a second state to indicate the activating shaft is in the latched state.

18. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 17, wherein the activating shaft indicator light first or second state corresponds to an illuminated state, and the other state of the activating shaft indicator light corresponds to a non-illuminated state.

19. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 17, wherein the activating shaft indicator light first or second state corresponds to a first light color of the indicator light, and the other state of the activating shaft indicator light corresponds to a second light color different from the first color.

20. The electrical connection apparatus and engaging tool of claim 17, wherein the engaging tool comprises a conductive cylinder for contacting the electrical conductors of the indicator light of the insertion indicator and the activating shaft indicator light, and upon contacting the electrical conductors, the conductive cylinder delivers power from the power source to the electrical conductors.