Electrical connectors for implantable devices

• US 10,610,692 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Eldridge, David, Stark, III, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abreu, Michael J D
• Application Number:
  US14/910,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20160367819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,859 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/187 with spring member in the socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type

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. An implantable connector configured to carry power and control signals to a medical device, comprising:

a female connector comprising;

a jack;

one or more wiper seals disposed in the jack; and

one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts disposed in the jack and surrounded by the one or more wiper seals, wherein each of the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts is positioned in a groove defined in a respective wiper seal of the one or more wiper seals; and

a male connector comprising;

a plug adapted to be inserted into the jack of the female connector; and

one or more electrical contacts disposed on the plug, the one or more electrical contacts configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts and wiped clean of bodily fluid by the one or more wiper seals when the plug of the male connector is inserted into the jack of the female connector.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the female connector further comprises a vent.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the vent comprises a passive one-way valve.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts each have a non-uniform cross-section.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein each of the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts extends from an anchor end to a tip end, and wherein a first cross-section at the anchor end is larger than a second cross-section at the tip end.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the cantilevered electrical spring contacts comprise platinum iridium.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the female connector is formed on a bulkhead connector.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the male connector is formed on a driveline cable.

9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts comprise three electrical spring contacts.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical contacts disposed on the plug comprise three electrical contacts.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the male connector further comprises a strain relief.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the female connector further comprises a set locking screw.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the male connector further comprises a set screw locking groove configured to engage the set locking screw.

14. The connector of claim 1 wherein the each of the one or more wiper seals comprises an o-ring.