Miniature implantable connectors

• US 20050234533A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Janusz Kuzma, Joseph H. Schulman
• Original Assignee: Janusz Kuzma, Joseph H. Schulman
• Inventors: Schulman, Joseph H., Kuzma, Janusz
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/20 Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2101/00 One pole
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/20 Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/28 Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

Apparatus are disclosed for connecting electrically conductive wire to a miniature, implantable sensor or stimulator device for detecting electrical signals or stimulating living tissue. The implantable device has an electrically conductive end on its case which is intimately connected to a doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between the living tissue and the device by a biocompatible wire. A spring clip removably attaches to the doorknob electrode so that the wire may be easily attached to the doorknob electrode during surgery. An insulating rubber boot, which may be silicone, surrounds the case end, doorknob electrode, and spring clip to isolate the living tissue from the conductive components. The components are biocompatible materials.

Claims

1. A spring clip connector adapted to receive a doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between living tissue and an implantable miniature device configured for monitoring and/or affecting body parameters, comprising:

at least one prong for removably grasping said doorknob electrode;

a connection to at least one electrically conductive wire having a first end configured for electrical coupling to a selected portion of the living tissue and a second end configured for attachment to said spring clip;

wherein

said spring clip is comprised of a biocompatible material.

2. The spring clip connector according to claim 1 wherein said biocompatible material is selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum, and niobium.

3. The spring clip connector according to claim 1 wherein an insulating rubber boot surrounds said doorknob electrode and said spring clip.

4. The spring clip connector according to claim 3 wherein said insulating rubber boot is comprised of silicone.

5. The spring clip connector according to claim 1 wherein said spring clip connector is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum and niobium.

6. The spring clip connector according to claim 1 wherein said doorknob electrode is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloy, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium, stainless steel, tantalum, and niobium.

7. The spring clip connector according to claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive wire second end attachment to said spring clip is a weld.