Lead connector for an implantable electric stimulation system and methods of making and using
First Claim
1. A lead-connection system comprising:
- a lead with a distal end and a proximal end, the lead comprisinga plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end,a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, anda plurality of conductor wires disposed along the lead to electrically couple each of the plurality of electrodes to a different one of the plurality of terminals; and
a connector configured and arranged for receiving a portion of the lead, the connector comprisinga port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead, anda plurality of connector contacts disposed in the port, wherein the plurality of connector contacts are divided into a plurality of sets of connector contacts with each set of connector contacts comprising at least two adjacent connector contacts of the plurality of connector contacts and each of the connector contacts belonging to only one of the sets, wherein, when the connector receives the proximal end of the lead, each set of connector contacts is configured and arranged to electrically couple with only one terminal of the plurality of terminals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead-connection system includes a lead and a connector. The lead includes a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductor wires electrically coupling each of the plurality of electrodes to a different one of the plurality of terminals. The connector defines a port for receiving the proximal end of the lead and a plurality of connector contacts. The number of connector contacts is greater than the number of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead. When the connector receives the proximal end of the lead, each of the terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead makes electrical contact with at least one of the connector contacts of the connector and no two terminals make electrical contact with a same one of the connector contacts.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lead-connection system comprising:
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a lead with a distal end and a proximal end, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductor wires disposed along the lead to electrically couple each of the plurality of electrodes to a different one of the plurality of terminals; and a connector configured and arranged for receiving a portion of the lead, the connector comprising a port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the port, wherein the plurality of connector contacts are divided into a plurality of sets of connector contacts with each set of connector contacts comprising at least two adjacent connector contacts of the plurality of connector contacts and each of the connector contacts belonging to only one of the sets, wherein, when the connector receives the proximal end of the lead, each set of connector contacts is configured and arranged to electrically couple with only one terminal of the plurality of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical stimulating system comprising:
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a lead having a distal end and a proximal end, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductor wires coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals; a control module configured and arranged to electrically couple to the lead, the control module comprising a housing, and an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing; and a connector configured and arranged for receiving a portion of the lead, the connector comprising a port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the port, wherein the plurality of connector contacts are divided into a plurality of sets of connector contacts with each set of connector contacts comprising at least two adjacent connector contacts of the plurality of connector contacts and each of the connector contacts belonging to only one of the sets, wherein when the connector receives the proximal end of the lead each set of connector contacts is configured and arranged to electrically couple with only one terminal of the plurality of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for stimulating patient tissue, the method comprising:
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implanting a lead into a patient, the lead comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end by a plurality of contact wires; disposing the proximal end of the lead into a port of a connector, the connector comprising a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the port, wherein the plurality of connector contacts are divided into a plurality of sets of connector contacts with each set of connector contacts comprising at least two adjacent connector contacts of the plurality of connector contacts and each of the connector contacts belonging to only one of the sets, wherein when the connector receives the proximal end of the lead each set of connector contacts is configured and arranged to electrically couple with only one terminal of the plurality of terminals; and providing electrical signals from at least one control module electrically coupled to the connector, the electrical signals electrically stimulating patient tissue using at least one of the plurality of electrodes disposed on the lead. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification