Systems and methods for making and using improved connector contacts for electrical stimulation systems
First Claim
1. A connector for an implantable electrical medical device, the connector comprising:
- an elongated connector housing having a first end and an opposing second end;
a connector lumen defined in the connector housing, the connector lumen configured and arranged to receive a lead or lead extension;
a plurality of connector-contact assemblies disposed in the connector lumen, each of the plurality of connector-contact assemblies comprisinga contact housing having a first end, an opposing second end, a longitudinal length, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the contact housing defining an open center portion with the inner surface of the contact housing forming a perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing, the open center portion having an inner diameter, anda plurality of connector contacts arranged along the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing such that the plurality of connector contacts are not in electrical contact with one another, each of the plurality of connector contacts comprising a biasing structure configured and arranged to physically contact one of a plurality of terminals disposed along the lead or lead extension when the lead or lead extension is received by the connector lumen, for each of the plurality of connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly the biasing structure extends around no more than 70% of the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing and is circumferentially-offset from the biasing structures of the remaining connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly along the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing; and
a plurality of connector conductors coupled to the plurality of connector-contact assemblies and extending along the connector housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes a connector lumen defined in an elongated connector housing and adapted for receiving a portion of a lead. Connector-contact assemblies are disposed in the connector lumen. Each of the connector-contact assemblies includes a contact housing. Multiple connector contacts are arranged along perimeters of inner surfaces of the contact housings such that the connector contacts are not in electrical contact with one another. Each of the connector contacts includes a biasing structure that physically contacts terminals disposed along the lead when the lead is received by the connector lumen. For each connector contact of a particular connector-contact assembly, the biasing structure extends around no more than 70% of the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing and is circumferentially-offset from the biasing structures of the remaining connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly.
164 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A connector for an implantable electrical medical device, the connector comprising:
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an elongated connector housing having a first end and an opposing second end; a connector lumen defined in the connector housing, the connector lumen configured and arranged to receive a lead or lead extension; a plurality of connector-contact assemblies disposed in the connector lumen, each of the plurality of connector-contact assemblies comprising a contact housing having a first end, an opposing second end, a longitudinal length, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the contact housing defining an open center portion with the inner surface of the contact housing forming a perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing, the open center portion having an inner diameter, and a plurality of connector contacts arranged along the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing such that the plurality of connector contacts are not in electrical contact with one another, each of the plurality of connector contacts comprising a biasing structure configured and arranged to physically contact one of a plurality of terminals disposed along the lead or lead extension when the lead or lead extension is received by the connector lumen, for each of the plurality of connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly the biasing structure extends around no more than 70% of the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing and is circumferentially-offset from the biasing structures of the remaining connector contacts of the connector-contact assembly along the perimeter of the inner surface of the contact housing; and a plurality of connector conductors coupled to the plurality of connector-contact assemblies and extending along the connector housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification