Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-03-06
Layno, Carl H. (Department: 3762)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
C607S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198969
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to implantable neurostimulators, and more particularly to a connector for use with a multi-output neurostimulator or similar implantable stimulator or other multi-output device.
There is a need in the art for a reliable connector that can detachably connect an electrical lead, having a multiplicity of electrical conductors therein (which electrical conductors may be connected to electrodes, sensors, or other devices or elements), to an implantable electrical device in an easy and secure manner.
Current pacemaker-type connectors, which connect the proximal end of a lead to an implantable pacemaker, which lead has a distal end having one or more electrodes which are typically inserted in or on the heart, are difficult to make and use when there is a need for more than about four connections.
Disadvantageously, most neurostimulators have more than four electrical connections that must be made with the neurostimulator device if the device is to perform its intended function. Hence, either very complex and difficult connectors must be designed, built, and used to interface with the neurostimulator; or the neurostimulator must be configured so that the lead/electrodes form an integral part thereof, thereby eliminating the connector altogether. Unfortunately, when the connector is eliminated altogether, the manufacture, assembly and test of the device becomes more difficult and complex because the stimulator and lead/electrodes must be assembled and tested as one large assembly. Even more significantly, when a connector is not used, the service and maintenance options available to the physician/patient are severely restricted.
It is thus seen that there is a need in the art for a simple, yet reliable, connector that can be used with an implantable neurostimulator, or similar implantable stimulation devices, where more than about three or four electrical connections must be made with the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a multi-output (i.e., more than three or four outputs) connector adapted for use with an implantable neurostimulator, or similar implantable device. The connector includes three main components: (1) an output bracket, (2) a receiver and (3) a clamp.
The output bracket forms part of the stimulator housing and is typically made from a hard polymer, such as epoxy resin. It has a T-shaped cross section, and has an array of metal contacts placed on both sides of the base of the “T”. Each metal contact represents an electrical terminal to which an electrode, or other electrical component (e.g., a sensor) used with the neurostimulator, is to be connected.
The receiver is connected to a proximal end of a lead that is to be attached to the output bracket. The receiver is made from a soft polymer, such as silicone rubber, and has a T-slot or channel formed therein adapted to match the T-shaped cross-section of the output bracket. The receiver snaps or slides over the output bracket. Contact pins are formed in the side walls of the receiver so as to make electrical contact with the metal contacts of the output bracket when the receiver is placed over the bracket. Each of these contact pins is connected through a suitable wire that passes through the lead to an electrode or other electrical component located along the length of or at a distal end of the lead.
The clamp is made from metal in the form of a U-shape and fits over the top of the receiver so as to apply a compressive force to both sides of the receiver. The compression provided by the clamp not only assures proper electrical contact between the metal contacts of the output bracket and the corresponding pins of the receiver, but also deforms the flexible soft walls of the receiver to provide the necessary electrical insulation and sealing between the connection points.
Thus, the invention provides a simple (only three parts), yet reliable and easy-to-use approach for detachably securing a multiple output electrical stimulating device to an implantable lead, which lead has multiple conductors therein (which conductors respectively attach to electrodes or other devices or components at a distal end, or along the length of, the lead).
In one embodiment, the invention may be characterized as comprising a detachable connector for use with an implantable electrical stimulator having a multiplicity of output contacts. Such connector includes a hard or stiff output bracket that forms part of the case of the implantable electrical stimulator. The output bracket has a cross section of a prescribed shape, e.g., a T-shape. Metal contacts are formed on each side of the cross section, and each metal contact is electrically connected, inside of the stimulator case, to an electrical feedthrough terminal that makes contact with appropriate electrical circuitry hermetically sealed within the case of the implantable stimulator. The connector also includes a soft or compliant receiver made from silicone rubber or a similar compliant material and is adapted to slide or snap over the output bracket. The receiver includes a channel therein having the same basic cross sectional shape as that of the output bracket. Metal pins are formed in the side walls of the receiver. Each metal pin is positioned so as to electrically contact a corresponding metal contact located in the output bracket when the receiver is fitted over the output bracket. Finally, the connector includes a U-shaped clamp that fits over the receiver and provides a compression force which forces the contact pins of the receiver in secure electrical contact with the corresponding metal contacts of the output bracket, and which further deforms the compliant walls of the receiver so as to provide electrical insulation and sealing between the various contact points included within the connector. The receiver forms a proximal end of an implanted lead that is detachably connected to the implantable stimulator by way of the connector.
The invention may further be characterized as a method for detachably connecting an implantable lead to an implantable electrical stimulator. Such electrical stimulator typically has at least four terminals to which electrical connection through the implantable lead must be established. The method includes the steps of: (a) forming an output header as part of the electrical stimulator, which output header has a specified cross section shape, e.g., a “T-shape” cross section; (b) forming at least four metal contacts in a side wall of the cross section shape of the output header so that each metal contact is flush with a surface of the side wall; (c) electrically connecting each metal contact with a corresponding terminal of the electrical stimulator; (d) forming a deformable receiver having a channel therein that fits over the output header; (e) forming at least four metal pads within the channel of the receiver so that each is flush with a surface of the channel, and so that each contacts a respective one of the metal contacts formed in the side wall of the output header when the receiver is fitted over the output header; (f) electrically connecting each metal pad within the receiver with a respective wire within the implantable lead; and (g) compressing side walls of the receiver to assure a good secure electrical contact between the metal pads in the receiver and corresponding metal contacts in the output header, and to deform the receiver so that a deformed portion of the receiver side walls insulates each of the metal contact/pad connection points from adjoining metal contact/pad connection points.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4180078 (1979-12-01), Anderson
patent: 4411276 (1983-10-01), Dickhudt
patent: 4411277 (1983-10-01), Dickhudt
patent: 4516820 (1985-05-01), Kuzma
patent: 5070605 (1991-12-01), Daglow et al.
patent: 5336246 (1994-08-01), Dantanarayana
patent: 5755743 (1998-05-01), Volz et al.
patent: 6006135 (1999-12-01), Kast et al.
Advanced Bionics Corporation
Gold Bryant R.
Layno Carl H.
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