Systems and methods for making and using connector assemblies for implantable medical device systems
First Claim
1. A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system, the lead extension comprising:
- a lead extension body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead extension body;
a connector disposed along the distal end portion of the lead extension body, the connector having an exterior surface and a longitudinal length, the connector comprisinga contact housing having a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, and an exterior surface, the contact housing defining a contact-housing lumen and comprising a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the contact housing and exposed to the contact-housing lumen,a retention member disposed along the second end portion of the contact housing, the retention member defining a retention-member lumen extending along an entire length of the retention member,a gasket housing coupled to the second end portion of the contact housing, the gasket housing having a first end, an opposing second end, and an exterior surface,a retention socket defined along the first end of the gasket housing, the retention socket comprising a rear wall and a side wall, the retention socket configured and arranged for receiving the retention member,a gasket-housing lumen extending between the exterior surface of the gasket housing and the rear wall of the retention socket,a deformable gasket disposed in the retention socket and defining a gasket lumen,wherein the retention-member lumen, the contact-housing lumen, the gasket-housing lumen, and the gasket lumen collectively form a lead lumen configured and arranged for receiving a portion of an electrical stimulation lead,wherein the gasket housing is configured and arranged to tighten toward the contact housing by advancing the retention member into the retention socket and compressing the deformable gasket along the longitudinal length of the connector, the longitudinal compression of the gasket causing a corresponding radial expansion of the gasket into the lead lumen, the radial expansion of the gasket retaining a portion of the electrical stimulation lead within the lead lumen when the electrical stimulation lead is received by the lead lumen; and
a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of connector contacts.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a lead-extension body, terminals, and a connector. The connector includes a contact housing and a gasket housing. Multiple connector contacts are disposed in the contact housing and are coupled to the terminals. A retention member is disposed along one end of the contact housing and is receivable by a retention socket defined in the gasket housing. A deformable gasket is disposed in the retention socket. A lumen extends through the connector and is suitable for receiving an electrical stimulation lead. The received lead is retained in the lumen by using the retention member to compress the gasket along a longitudinal length of the connector. The longitudinal compression of the gasket causes a corresponding radial expansion of the gasket, which retains the electrical stimulation lead within the lumen.
60 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system, the lead extension comprising:
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a lead extension body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead extension body; a connector disposed along the distal end portion of the lead extension body, the connector having an exterior surface and a longitudinal length, the connector comprising a contact housing having a first end portion, an opposing second end portion, and an exterior surface, the contact housing defining a contact-housing lumen and comprising a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the contact housing and exposed to the contact-housing lumen, a retention member disposed along the second end portion of the contact housing, the retention member defining a retention-member lumen extending along an entire length of the retention member, a gasket housing coupled to the second end portion of the contact housing, the gasket housing having a first end, an opposing second end, and an exterior surface, a retention socket defined along the first end of the gasket housing, the retention socket comprising a rear wall and a side wall, the retention socket configured and arranged for receiving the retention member, a gasket-housing lumen extending between the exterior surface of the gasket housing and the rear wall of the retention socket, a deformable gasket disposed in the retention socket and defining a gasket lumen, wherein the retention-member lumen, the contact-housing lumen, the gasket-housing lumen, and the gasket lumen collectively form a lead lumen configured and arranged for receiving a portion of an electrical stimulation lead, wherein the gasket housing is configured and arranged to tighten toward the contact housing by advancing the retention member into the retention socket and compressing the deformable gasket along the longitudinal length of the connector, the longitudinal compression of the gasket causing a corresponding radial expansion of the gasket into the lead lumen, the radial expansion of the gasket retaining a portion of the electrical stimulation lead within the lead lumen when the electrical stimulation lead is received by the lead lumen; and a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of connector contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification