Lead adaptor having low resistance conductors and/or encapsulated housing

• US 20050272280A1
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oscor Inc
• Original Assignee: Oscor Inc
• Inventors: Osypka, Thomas P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,161 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• 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: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An implantable lead adaptor is disclosed that includes an encapsulated thermoplastic housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion has a first receptacle configured to receive a first type of connector assembly associated with a first implantable cardiac lead, and a second receptacle configured to receive a second type of connector assembly associated with a second implantable cardiac lead. An elongated flexible lead portion extends from the distal end portion of the adaptor housing. A connector assembly is operatively associated with a distal end section of the flexible lead portion of the adaptor for connection to an implantable pulse-generating device, such as, for example, an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator. Low resistance conductor wires electrically connect the connector assembly associated with the distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing.

Claims

1. An implantable lead adaptor comprising:

a) an encapsulated thermoplastic adaptor housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion having a first receptacle for receiving a first connector assembly associated with a first implantable cardiac lead, and a second receptacle for receiving a second connector assembly associated with a second implantable cardiac lead;

b) an elongated flexible lead portion extending from the distal end portion of the adaptor housing and having a connector assembly operatively associated with a distal end section thereof for connection to an implantable pulse generating device; and

c) conductor means electrically connecting the connector assembly operatively associated with the distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing.

2. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 1, wherein the first receptacle is configured to receive a first type of connector assembly and the second receptacle is configured to receive a second type of connector assembly.

3. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 1, wherein the adaptor housing is constructed from a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, tecothane, polycarbonate and composites thereof.

4. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 1, wherein the adaptor housing is a two-part structure having internal cavities defining the first and second receptacles.

5. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 1, wherein the adaptor housing is encapsulated within an outer hull section formed from a biocompatible material.

6. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 5, wherein the outer hull section of the adaptor housing is formed from silicone.

7. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 1, wherein the conductor means comprises low resistance wires.

8. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 7, wherein the resistance of each wire is preferably less than 1 ohm.

9. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 7, wherein the low resistance wires are selected from the group consisting of drawn brazed stranded (DBS) wires drawn filled tube (DFT) wires.

10. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 7, wherein the low resistance wires are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of 316L stainless steel, MP25N, MP35N and alloys thereof.

11. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 7, wherein the low resistance wires are drawn filled tube (DFT) wires formed by a silver core wire clad with MP35N alloy.

12. An implantable lead adaptor comprising:

a) an adaptor housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion having a first receptacle for receiving a first type of connector assembly associated with a first type of implantable cardiac lead, and a second receptacle for receiving a second type of connector assembly associated with a second type of implantable cardiac lead;

b) an elongated flexible lead portion extending from the distal end portion of the adaptor housing and having a connector assembly operatively associated with a distal end section thereof for connection to an implantable pulse generating device; and

c) low-resistance wire conductors connecting the connector assembly operatively associated with the distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing.

13. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 12, wherein the resistance of each wire is preferably less than 1 ohm.

14. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 12, wherein the low resistance wires are drawn brazed stranded (DBS) wires.

15. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 12, wherein the low resistance wires are drawn filled tube (DFT) wires.

16. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 12, wherein the low resistance wires are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of 316L stainless steel, MP25N, MP35N and alloys thereof.

17. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 12, wherein the low resistance wires are drawn filled tube (DFT) wires formed by a silver core wire clad with MP35N alloy.

18. An implantable lead adaptor comprising:

a) an encapsulated adaptor housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion having a first receptacle configured to receive a four pole connector assembly associated with a first implantable cardiac lead and a second receptacle configured to receive a unipolar connector assembly associated with a second implantable cardiac lead;

b) an elongated flexible lead portion extending from the adaptor housing and having a four pole connector assembly operatively associated with a distal end section thereof; and

c) conductor means connecting the four pole connector assembly operatively associated with a distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing.

19. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 18, wherein the first receptacle includes four contacts including at least one high voltage contact and the second receptacle includes one high voltage contact.

20. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one high voltage contact of the first receptacle is connected in parallel to the high voltage contact of the second receptacle.

21. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 20, wherein the other three contacts of the first receptacle and the high voltage contact of the second receptacle are connected to the four pole connector assembly operatively associated with the distal end section of the lead portion by the conductor means.

22. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 18, wherein the conductor means comprises low resistance wires.

23. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 22, wherein the resistance of each wire is preferably less than 1 ohm.

24. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 22, wherein the low resistance wires are selected from the group consisting of drawn brazed stranded (DBS) wires and drawn filled tube (DFT) wires.

25. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 24, wherein the low resistance wires are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of 316L stainless steel, MP25N and MP35N and alloys thereof.

26. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 18, wherein the adaptor housing is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, tecothane, polycarbonate and composites thereof.

27. A lead adaptor as recited in claim 18, wherein the adaptor housing is encapsulated within a two-piece outer hull section formed from silicone.