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Systems and methods for making and using improved connector contacts for electrical stimulation systems

  • US 8,849,396 B2
  • Filed: 05/07/2013
  • Issued: 09/30/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2012
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A lead extension comprising:

  • a lead-extension body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length;

    a plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead-extension body;

    a connector assembly disposed along the distal end of the lead-extension body, the connector housing comprisingan elongated connector housing having a first end, an opposing second end, a longitudinal axis, a first transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first transverse axis,a port defined at the first end of the connector housing, the port configured and arranged for receiving a proximal end of a lead,a lumen defined in the connector housing, the lumen extending from the port along the longitudinal axis of the connector housing, anda plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, at least one of the plurality of connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of a plurality of lead terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead when the proximal end of the lead is received by the connector housing; and

    a plurality of lead-extension conductors, each lead-extension conductor electrically coupling at least one of the plurality of connector contacts to at least one of the lead-extension terminals;

    wherein the plurality of connector contacts comprise a plurality of spring contact probes spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the connector housing with at least a portion of each of the plurality of spring contact probes extending along the first transverse axis into the lumen of the connector housing;

    wherein the plurality of spring contact probes are configured and arranged to physically contact the lead terminals solely along the first transverse axis when the proximal end of the lead is received by the connector housing.

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