Neurostimulator interconnection apparatus, system, and method

• US 9,539,422 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2014
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chen, Joey
• Primary Examiner(s): Flory, Christopher A
• Application Number:
  US14/316,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20150018910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 607/9, 607/37, 607/116, 604/533
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• 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 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36153 Voltage A61N1/3616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

In various examples, an apparatus includes a neurostimulation interconnection apparatus including an elongate lead body including a lead proximal end and a lead distal end. The lead proximal end includes a first connector portion. A stimulation device includes a header. The header includes a second connector portion including a shape complementary to a shape of the first connector portion. The first connector portion is mateably engageable with the second connector portion, wherein one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion includes a plurality of pins and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion includes a plurality of sockets. There are an equal number of sockets and pins, wherein, with the first connector portion mateably engaged with the second connector portion, the pins align and electrically couple with the sockets.

Claims

1. A neurostimulation interconnection apparatus comprising:

an elongate lead body including a lead proximal end and a lead distal end, the lead proximal end including a first connector portion; and

a stimulation device including a header, the header including a second connector portion disposed within the header, the second connector portion including a shape complementary to a shape of the first connector portion, the first connector portion being mateably engageable with the second connector portion, wherein one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion includes a plurality of pins and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion includes a plurality of sockets, there being an equal number of sockets and pins, wherein, with the first connector portion mateably engaged with the second connector portion, the pins align and electrically couple with the sockets to thereby electrically connect the lead proximal end to the header of the stimulation device, wherein at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion includes a seal, the seal including;

an annular seal protrusion extending entirely around and outwardly from a perimeter of one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion; and

an annular seal groove disposed within and extending entirely around the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the seal protrusion being complementary to and sealingly engageable within the seal groove with engagement of the first connector portion with the second connector portion.

2. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second connector portion includes the pins.

3. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pins extend from the stimulation device as part of a feedthrough of the stimulation device.

4. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pins are disposed in a substantially radial pattern.

5. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pins are disposed in at least two substantially radial patterns.

6. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pins are disposed in a substantially linear pattern.

7. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a silicone barrier.

8. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal protrusion includes a silicone protrusion.

9. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal protrusion is integrally formed with one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

10. A neurostimulation interconnection apparatus comprising:

an elongate lead body including a lead proximal end and a lead distal end, the lead proximal end including a first connector portion, the first connector portion including a connector plane;

a stimulation device including a header, the header including a second connector portion disposed within the header, the second connector portion including a shape complementary to a shape of the first connector portion, the first connector portion being mateably engageable with the second connector portion, wherein the first connector portion includes a plurality of first connectors and the second connector portion includes a plurality of second connectors, the plurality of first connectors being disposed along the connector plane, there being an equal number of first connectors and second connectors, wherein, with the first connector portion mateably engaged with the second connector portion, the first connectors align and electrically couple with the second connectors to thereby electrically connect the lead proximal end to the header of the stimulation device; and

a seal including;

an annular seal protrusion extending entirely around and outwardly from a perimeter of one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion; and

an annular seal groove disposed within and extending entirely around the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the seal protrusion being complementary to and sealingly engageable within the seal groove with engagement of the first connector portion with the second connector portion.

11. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of first connectors includes a plurality of sockets.

12. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second connectors includes a plurality of pins.

13. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pins extend from the stimulation device as part of a feedthrough of the stimulation device.

14. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of first connectors includes a plurality of printed contacts on a circuit board.

15. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second connectors includes a plurality of conductor fingers.

16. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein a longitudinal axis of the lead body is substantially normal to the connector plane.

17. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the seal protrusion includes a silicone protrusion.

18. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 10, wherein the seal protrusion is integrally formed with one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

19. A neurostimulation interconnection apparatus comprising:

an elongate lead body including a lead proximal end and a lead distal end, the lead proximal end including a first connector portion, the first connector portion including a connector plane, wherein a longitudinal axis of the lead body is substantially normal to the connector plane;

a stimulation device including a header, the header including a second connector portion disposed within the header, the second connector portion including a shape complementary to a shape of the first connector portion, the first connector portion being mateably engageable with the second connector portion, wherein the second connector portion includes a plurality of pins and the first connector portion includes a plurality of sockets, the plurality of sockets being disposed along the connector plane, there being an equal number of sockets and pins, wherein, with the first connector portion mateably engaged with the second connector portion, the pins align and electrically couple with the sockets to thereby electrically connect the lead proximal end to the header of the stimulation device; and

a seal including;

an annular seal protrusion extending entirely around and outwardly from a perimeter of, and being integrally formed with, one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion; and

an annular seal groove disposed within and extending entirely around the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the seal protrusion being complementary to and sealingly engageable within the seal groove with engagement of the first connector portion with the second connector portion.

20. The neurostimulation interconnection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the seal protrusion includes a silicone protrusion.