Multiple function lead assembly and method for inserting assembly into an implantable tissue stimulator
First Claim
1. Apparatus for connecting a body implantable tissue stimulator and lead assembly, comprisingat least two distal electrodes on said lead assembly for electrical stimulation or sensing,at least .[.two.]. .Iadd.three .Iaddend.coaxial proximal connectors on said lead assembly spaced apart and .[.electrically.]. .Iadd.conductively .Iaddend.connected to said distal electrodes for connecting said distal electrodes with said .Iadd.implantable .Iaddend.tissue .[.stimulation means.]. .Iadd.stimulator, two of said three proximal connectors conductively connected to one of said two distal electrodes and the remaining one of said three proximal connectors conductively connected to the other of said two distal electrodes.Iaddend.,a female connector assembly .[.on.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.said body implantable tissue stimulator .[.adapted to electrically connect.]. .Iadd.for conductively connecting at least two of .Iaddend.said proximal connector.Iadd.s .Iaddend.to said stimulator,insulator means intermediate adjacent ones of said coaxial proximal connectors .[.having fluid sealing ribs cooperating with said female connector assembly.]. for maintaining fluid isolation between said connectors. .[.2. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said at least two distal electrodes comprises two electrodes, and said at least two proximal connectors comprises two connectors..]. .[.3. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said at least two distal electrodes are two distal electrodes;
- andsaid at least two proximal connectors are three proximal connectors;
two of said three proximal connectors being connected to a first of said two distal electrodes, and the remaining one of said three proximal connectors being connected to a second of said two distal electrodes..].
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for manually altering the function of the distal electrodes of a body implantable tissue stimulator assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the polarity of distal electrodes may be reversed by axially repositioning the proximal connectors within the female connector assembly of a tissue stimulator.
42 Citations
13 Claims
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1. Apparatus for connecting a body implantable tissue stimulator and lead assembly, comprising
at least two distal electrodes on said lead assembly for electrical stimulation or sensing, at least .[.two.]. .Iadd.three .Iaddend.coaxial proximal connectors on said lead assembly spaced apart and .[.electrically.]. .Iadd.conductively .Iaddend.connected to said distal electrodes for connecting said distal electrodes with said .Iadd.implantable .Iaddend.tissue .[.stimulation means.]. .Iadd.stimulator, two of said three proximal connectors conductively connected to one of said two distal electrodes and the remaining one of said three proximal connectors conductively connected to the other of said two distal electrodes.Iaddend., a female connector assembly .[.on.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.said body implantable tissue stimulator .[.adapted to electrically connect.]. .Iadd.for conductively connecting at least two of .Iaddend.said proximal connector.Iadd.s .Iaddend.to said stimulator, insulator means intermediate adjacent ones of said coaxial proximal connectors .[.having fluid sealing ribs cooperating with said female connector assembly.]. for maintaining fluid isolation between said connectors. .[.2. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said at least two distal electrodes comprises two electrodes, and said at least two proximal connectors comprises two connectors..]. .[.3. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said at least two distal electrodes are two distal electrodes; - and
said at least two proximal connectors are three proximal connectors; two of said three proximal connectors being connected to a first of said two distal electrodes, and the remaining one of said three proximal connectors being connected to a second of said two distal electrodes..]. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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8. Iadd. The invention of claim 15 wherein the insulating means further comprises:
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at least one sealing rib positioned between the first and second proximal electrodes to extend radially outwardly from the proximal electrodes, said sealing rib dimensioned and adapted to contact the channel to create a seal against the channel between the first and second proximal electrodes in order to maintain fluid isolation therebetween. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A body implantable tissue stimulation system comprising; a body implantable lead comprising; first and second distal electrodes; a proximal electrode assembly which comprises at least first and second coaxial, axially spaced proximal electrodes, each of which is electrically connected with a respective one of the distal electrodes, a third coaxial axially spaced proximal electrode electrically connected with the first proximal electrode and situated such that the second proximal electrode is interposed between the first and third proximal electrodes; and means for electrically insulating the first proximal electrode from the second proximal electrode and the second proximal electrode from the third proximal electrode; a body implantable tissue stimulator comprising; first and second stimulator electrodes; and means for defining a channel in the stimulator adjacent the stimulator electrodes to receive the proximal electrode assembly in order to establish electrical contact between the stimulator electrodes and respective ones of the proximal electrodes; and means for creating a fluid seal in the channel between the tissue stimulator and the proximal electrode assembly in order to maintain fluid isolation between at least two of the proximal electrodes. .Iaddend.
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9. Iadd.8. The invention of claim 17 wherein the means for creating a seal comprises a fluid sealing rib mounted on the insulating means to extend radially outwardly from the proximal electrodes to contact and seal
- 10. against the channel defining means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The invention of claim 17 wherein the means for creating a seal comprises a first fluid sealing rib mounted on the means for insulating the first proximal electrode from the second proximal electrode to extend outwardly from the proximal electrodes to contact and seal against the channel defining means, and wherein the invention further comprises a second fluid sealing rib mounted on the means for insulating the third proximal electrode from the second proximal electrode to extend outwardly from the proximal electrodes to contact and seal against the channel defining means in order to maintain fluid isolation between the second and third proximal
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11. electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A body tissue stimulation apparatus, comprising:
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a body implantable tissue stimulator for generating electrical stimulation signals; a body implantable lead assembly for sealingly and conductively engaging said tissue stimulator and for applying said stimulation signals to a predetermined site of the body; said lead assembly including, two distal electrodes positioned at said site for applying said stimulation signals; three spaced coaxially aligned proximal connectors; means for conductively connecting one of the distal electrodes to two of the proximal connectors; and means for conductively connecting the other of the distal electrodes to the third proximal connector; said tissue stimulator including two terminals for adjustably conductively contacting proximal connectors and means for changing the pattern of conductive contact between said proximal connectors and said terminals to conductively connect said terminals to selected distal electrodes.
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12. Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A body tissue stimulation apparatus, comprising:
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a body implantable tissue stimulator for generating electrical stimulation signals; a body implantable lead assembly for sealingly and conductively engaging said tissue stimulator and for applying said stimulation signals to a predetermined site of the body; said lead assembly including, at least two distal electrodes positioned at said site for applying said stimulation signals; at least two spaced coaxially aligned proximal connectors; and means for conductively connecting one of said distal electrodes to two of said proximal connectors and the other of said distal electrodes to the third proximal connector; said tissue stimulator including at least two terminals for conductively contacting proximal connectors and means for changing the position of the proximal connectors with respect to said terminals to conductively connect
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13. said terminals to selected distal electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said third proximal connector is positioned between said two proximal connectors. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A body implantable tissue stimulation system comprising:
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a body implantable lead comprising; first and second distal electrodes; a proximal electrode assembly which comprises first and second coaxial, axially spaced proximal electrodes, each of which is electrically connected with a respective one of the distal electrodes; first insulating means for electrically insulating the first proximal electrode from the second proximal electrode; a third coaxial axially spaced proximal electrode electrically connected with the first proximal electrode and situated such that the second proximal electrode is interposed between the first and third proximal electrodes; second insulating means for electrically insulating the third proximal electrode from the second proximal electrode; and a body implantable tissue stimulator comprising; first and second stimulator electrodes; and means for defining a channel in the stimulator adjacent the stimulator electrodes to receive the proximal electrode assembly in order to establish electrical contact between the stimulator electrodes and respective ones of the proximal electrodes; and means for sealing the proximal electrode assembly in said channel, said means for sealing including means disposed between the first and second proximal electrodes for maintaining fluid isolation between the first and second proximal electrodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The system of claim 23, wherein said means for sealing includes at least one fluid sealing rib formed on at least one of the insulating means and extending radially outwardly from the proximal electrodes for contacting and sealing against the channel defining means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The system of claim 23, wherein said sealing means comprises at least one fluid sealing rib mounted on said insulating means and extending outwardly from the proximal electrodes for contacting and sealing against the channel defining means, and wherein the system further comprises at least one fluid sealing rib mounted on the second insulating means and extending outwardly from the proximal electrodes for contacting and sealing against the channel defining means. .Iaddend. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 7)
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Specification