Multiaxial connector for implantable devices

• US 10,265,450 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Eldridge, David, Stark, III, Joseph C., MacDonell, Andrew, Kramer, Scott, Kilavos, Thomas George, Franco, Fabian Frigon
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US15/408,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20170119947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/878 Electrical connections within the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/03 characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/521 Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/302 having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for electrical connections between an implanted wireless receiver and an implanted medical device powered by the receiver. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device-side connector for connecting a first implanted device to a second device with a multi-axial connector, comprising:

a feed-through assembly configured to provide an electrical connection between the first implanted device and the multi-axial connector, the feed-through assembly comprising exactly three male electrical connectors arranged in a triangular pattern that are configured to be inserted into a corresponding electrical connection of the multi-axial connector, wherein each male electrical connector of the three male electrical connectors is spaced the same distance from the other two electrical connectors, and wherein the triangular pattern enables the three male electrical connectors to be inserted into the corresponding electrical connection at three different rotational angles;

a pump boss configured to provide an environmentally sealed housing for the feed-through assembly; and

an alignment housing configured to align the feed-through assembly with the corresponding electrical connection of the multi-axial connector.

2. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the pump boss assembly further comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure the multi-axial connector to the pump boss to prevent accidental disconnections.

3. The device-side connector of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a screw that threadably engages the pump boss.

4. The device-side connector of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an external housing that surrounds the screw.

5. The device-side connector of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an o-ring that provides fluid sealing between the screw and the external housing.

6. The device-side connector of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an anti-rotational feature that prevents the screw from loosening once the device-side connector is connected to a driveline-side connector.

7. The device-side connector of claim 6, wherein the anti-rotational feature comprises two cantilevered edges that compress when the screw is screwed down upon the anti-rotational feature.

8. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the three male electrical connectors comprise platinum iridium.

9. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the three male electrical connectors are each surrounded by a ceramic material to provide isolation between adjacent electrical connectors.

10. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the alignment housing comprises one or more tactile feedback elements configured to provide tactile feedback to a user when the multi-axial connector is inserted into the pump boss.

11. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the feed-through assembly further comprises a flex material at a base of each of the three male electrical connectors.

12. The device-side connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more tactile feedback elements comprise a cantilever mechanism with a protruding end.