LEAD UP-SIZING SLEEVE
An improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other medical device to a medical lead is disclosed. The connection system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a device. The connector means may further include means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a multi-polar lead. An insertion member may also be provided to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/983,266 filed Nov. 8, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/040,143 filed Jan. 3, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/838,814 filed Apr. 19, 2001, which claims priority to provisionally-filed U.S. patent application 60/270,074 filed Feb. 20, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to mechanisms for interconnecting electrical leads and electrical medical devices; and more particularly, to systems and methods of interconnecting implantable electrical leads and implantable medical electrical devices such as pacemakers, nerve stimulators, implantable defibrillators, implantable monitors, and so forth.
BACKGROUNDAs implantable electrical devices have increased in their complexity, there has been an increasing variety of electrical lead systems developed for use in conjunction with these devices. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the context of implantable cardioverter/defibrillators, which may include three, four, five, or more electrodes located on various numbers of implantable electrical leads. The leads themselves may carry one, two, three, or more electrodes, and may employ a variety of different electrical connector configurations and types. As a result, manufacturers of implantable cardioverter/defibrillators have had to produce their products with a variety of connector block configurations, capable of use with different lead systems. For example, Medtronic, Inc. presently manufactures implantable cardioverter/defibrillators with four basic connector designs, designated configurations “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”. The “B” configuration includes three 6.5 mm connector bores for receiving high voltage electrical lead connectors of the type used to couple to cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes and one 3.2 mm in-line electrical connector bore compatible with the IS-1 connector standard for receiving an IS-1 electrical lead connector of the type generally used to couple to cardiac pacing and sensing electrodes. The “C” configuration includes a single 3.2 mm connector bore conforming to the DF-1 standard for receiving high voltage electrical lead connectors used to couple to cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes. This configuration also includes a single IS-1 connector bore. The “D” configuration includes three DF-1 connector bores and one IS-1 connector bore. The “E” configuration includes two 6.5 mm connector bores and two 5 mm connector bores for receiving electrical lead connectors used to couple to individual cardiac pacing and sensing electrodes.
As is apparent from the above discussion, multiple connectors block types are necessitated both by the use of multiple connector standards, and also because of the desire to connect a varying number of lead systems to a given device. The situation is complicated even further by the use of non-standard connector systems. For example, it has been increasingly common to utilize small-diameter guide catheters to deliver leads having a diameter of 7 French or less to a desired implant site. After lead placement is completed, the catheter must be withdrawn from the body. However, if the catheter has a small inner diameter, the inner lumen of the catheter cannot accommodate a standard-size lead connector such as one conforming to the IS-1 standard. In this situation, the catheter must be split or slit into two portions. Such slittable or splittable catheters are more expensive to manufacture, and require the additional slitting step to remove. To remedy this problem, the lead may instead include a small-diameter, non-standard connector that easily fits within the catheter lumen, allowing the catheter to be readily withdrawn from the body. This non-standard connector has the drawback of necessitating the use of an even larger number of connector block configurations.
One way to solve the problem is to provide adapters that adapt one lead connector type to a different connector type on the device. These adapters may take the form of a relatively short lead which at one end has a connector assembly which may be inserted into one or more bores on the connector block on the implantable device and at the other end has one or more connector bores capable of receiving the connector assembly or assemblies on the electrical leads to be used with the device. These adapters are bulky and add substantially to the size of the pocket in which the device is to be implanted. In addition, they tend to require a number of additional steps to be performed by the physician in order to couple the leads to the implanted device, and are thus seen as undesirable generally. Such adapters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,177, issued to Hoffmann, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,442, issued to Levine. Some adapters, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,602 issued to Osypka and 5,060,649 issued to Hocherl et al. even required removal of the connector assembly of the lead as part of the connection process.
Another approach to resolving lead/device incompatibility problems involves use of an up-sizing adapter. An up-sizing adapter is used to convert a smaller-diameter standard or non-standard lead connector to a larger-sized device connector. This is particularly useful when dealing with leads having smaller connectors for use with non-splittable guide catheters. As discussed above, a smaller lead connector allows guide catheters to be easily withdrawn over the lead proximal end after the implant procedure is completed. After the guide catheter has been removed from the body, the up-sizing adapter may be connected to allow the lead to be coupled to a device.
One example of an up-sizing adapter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,864, issued to Stutz Jr. This patent discloses an adapter to convert a smaller-diameter unipolar lead system to a larger connector block. Although this system allows a small-diameter lead to be used with a non-splittable catheter, this system has a disadvantage of not being adaptable for use with a bipolar leads.
Another example of an up-sizing adapter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,543 issued to Peers-Trevarton. While this system is adaptable for use with bi-polar lead systems, it can only be used with a lead having a connector pin that is smaller than the connector bore. That is, it is not adaptable for use with a lead having a standard connector pin size but a non-standard connector body.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved system and method for allowing a lead connector of a first size to couple to a larger-sized device connector, and that addresses the foregoing problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is an improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other device of the sort to a medical lead and which addresses the lead/device incompatibility issues discussed above while avoiding at least some of the drawbacks associated with conventional adapters or converters.
The current invention provides an up-sizing mechanism that may be used to size the proximal end of a lead to a predetermined convention such as the IS-1 standard. The system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a medical device. This coupling means may include a positioning lip that positions the sleeve around the proximal end of the lead in a manner that allows the lead connector pin to form a stable mechanical connection with the medical device.
In another embodiment, the connector means includes means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a bi-polar lead. This coupling mechanism may include teeth for engaging the ring connector of the lead. Alternatively, the mechanism may include a multi-beam connector. Many other types of mechanical and electrical coupling mechanisms may be adapted for this purpose.
In one embodiment, the coupling member of the up-sizing system includes a reinforcing structure such as a coil. This reinforcing structure prevents the lead from flexing in a manner that results in lead failures. The coupling member may further include sealing rings on the exterior surface to provide a fluid-tight seal with the medical device, and/or sealing rings within the inner lumen to provide a fluid-tight seal with the lead body.
Because of the relatively tight press-fit formed between the coupling member and the lead body, one embodiment of the system includes an insertion member to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member. In one embodiment, the insertion member is a pull-wire adapted to be inserted through the inner lumen of the coupling member and coupled to a connector pin of the lead. Force applied to the pull wire pulls the lead body into the inner lumen. In a second embodiment, the insertion member is a split tube that is inserted into the inner lumen. The lead body is inserted into the split tube, which is then removed from around the lead body and extracted from the inner lumen.
According to yet another embodiment of the current system, the coupling member of the up-sizing system is a bifurcated member designed to adapt the proximal end of a lead to more than one standard connector size. For example, the bifurcated member may include both a DF-1 and IS-1 connector.
The up-sizing system of the current invention provides a mechanism for up-sizing a lead having a non-standard lead body size and a standard connector pin size. For example, the invention is particularly suited for small-diameter leads having an in-line connector pin. Unlike prior art designs, the coupling member of the current invention allows the connector pin of the lead to be coupled directly to a medical device, while providing a means to up-size the proximal end of the lead body. Other advantages of the inventive connection system will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings and accompanying description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Connector pin 10 couples to conductive member 19 that extends into lumen 16 and is electrically and mechanically coupled to at least one conductor 20. In
Lead body further includes an insulative jacket 28 that may be formed of a biocompatible polymer such as polyurethane or silicone. It may be noted that the lead of
As discussed above, the lead configurations shown in
Upsizing sleeve is shown to include two sets of exterior sealing rings 104 and 106 adapted to sealingly engage with the connector port of a device such as pacemaker or defibrillator. Upsizing sleeve further includes a conductive ring member 109 adapted to electrically couple to connector ring 73 of the lead, as shown by dashed lines 108 in a manner to be discussed further below. Conductive ring member 109 is further adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to a set screw within the device connector to thereby couple ring connector 73 to a medical device in a manner dictated by the IS-1 connector standard. Sealing rings and the portions of upsizing sleeves surrounding conductive ring member 109 may be formed of one or more polymer structures such as polyurethane or silicone in a manner to be discussed further below.
Because of the relatively tight press-fit between the proximal end 90 of the lead and the upsizing sleeve 100, a pull-wire device 110 may be provided to aid in the insertion process. One embodiment of the pull-wire device 110 includes a rigid pull-wire 112 and a handle 113. The rigid pull-wire 112 may include a threaded distal end 114, which is inserted through the inner lumen of upsizing sleeve 100, as shown by dashed line 116. The threads of threaded distal end 114 are then positioned to engage threaded surface 74 (
Although
Upsizing sleeve may further include interior sealing rings within the inner lumen 170. For example, upsizing sleeve of
Although teeth members 180 are shown in
A conductive ring member 212 surrounds the support member 204 and is adapted to engage a set-screw of a medical device as is provided on a standard IS-1 device connector block. In one embodiment, the conductive ring member 212 includes teeth 214 that extend through the support member to engage a connector ring of a bipolar lead. If a unipolar lead is to be employed, these teeth need not be included in the sleeve, since the ring connector of the lead need not make an electrical connection with a device connector block.
Each of tubular members 200 and 208 includes exterior sealing rings 220 and 222, respectively, to provide a fluid-tight seal with a device connector block. Each of the tubular members further includes interior sealing rings 224 and 226, respectively, to provide the fluid tight seal with a lead. As discussed above, preferably tubular members 200 and 208 are formed of a less rigid material such as silicone so that these sealing rings are more deformable and better able to provide a seal.
In one embodiment, sleeve may include one or more ports such as port 234 (shown dashed) to allow a medical-grade adhesive to be infused or injected between the sleeve and the lead after the lead is inserted into the sleeve to thereby secure the lead to the sleeve.
In one embodiment, the tubular member 252 includes one or more lips 256 to engage grooved members 258 in the lead connector pin 260. This allows the sleeve to be seated over the lead so that the dimensions of the assembly conform to a predetermined standard such as IS-1. Lips 256 further provide a fluid-tight seal with lead 250. One of the lips 256 is shown interfacing with a seal zone 257 of the inline connector. As discussed above, tubular member 252 may be formed of a less rigid material such as silicone to provide sealing rings that allow for a better fluid-tight seal.
The two-piece sleeve of
The lead 250 of
In this embodiment, pacing and sensing of a patient may be accomplished via ring connector 306 and pin 308 connectors, which coupled to tip and ring electrodes (not shown in
Sleeve 300 may be formed of one or more biocompatible polymers. For example, the hub portion 330 of the bifurcated sleeve could be formed of a more rigid material such as polyurethane that provides additional support to the structure and to the proximal end of the lead. The remainder of the sleeve, including the portions of the bifurcations 302 and 320 that include the exterior sealing rings 310 and 326, could be formed of a less rigid material such as silicone.
As noted above, the current inventive up-sizing sleeve is, in its preferred embodiment, designed to conform a lead to a predetermined connector standard. For this reason, it is important that the sleeve does not stretch or deform in any manner. To provide a structure that maintains precise dimensions, more rigid support structures formed of a material such as polyurethane may be incorporated into the sleeve. The inclusion of additional sealing grommets may also be desirable to ensure both a fluid-tight seal, and the retention of predetermined sleeve dimensions.
Conductive ring 355 houses, and is mechanically and electrically coupled to, a connector member 356 that is also formed of a conductive material. Connector member 356 is adapted to make an electrical and mechanical connection with a connector ring of a lead in a manner similar to that discussed above. Connector member 356 is shown in this embodiment to be a multi-beam connector having deformable fingers adapted to form a press-fit with a lead connector ring. Alternatively, connector member 356 may take the form of any other type of connector known in the art, including any of the types of connectors discussed above.
Housed within conductive ring 354 may be a sealing grommet 357 provided to form a superior fluid-tight seal with a lead. Sealing grommet 357 may be formed of a more deformable material such a silicone, for example.
Conductive ring 355 is further bonded or welded to a second rigid tubular support member 360, which may be formed of a polyurethane or a metal. This second tubular support member 360 is also mechanically coupled to a less rigid, tubular sleeve member 362 having sealing rings 364, and which may be formed of silicone. Tubular support member 360 is bonded to a lip member 366 adapted to house a second sealing grommet 368. Lip member 366 may be formed of a rigid polymer such as a polyurethane, whereas the sealing grommet may be formed of silicone.
The embodiment shown in
It may be noted that while the multi-beam connector 356 of
It may be noted that the inventive system and method of coupling a lead to a medical device as described and illustrated herein may be adapted for use with any size lead, any type of connector standard, and any type of medical device. For example, the up-sizing sleeve may be used with leads for drug delivery devices, devices adapted for neurological applications, or for any other type of physiological application requiring a lead coupled to an implantable or non-implantable device. Thus, many adaptations of the above-described invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art, and the description is therefore to be considered not as limiting, but as exemplary only. Additional scopes and aspects of the invention are described in attached Appendix A which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
1. A medical electrical lead connector arrangement, comprising:
- a non-cylindrically shaped connector pin coupled to a lead conductor and including a tip having a threaded surface for coupling with a threaded pull wire; and
- a connector assembly adapted to receive the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin into a first end of a bore of the assembly, the connector assembly including a pull wire insertion site positioned in proximity to a second end of the assembly bore and an insert mounted within the assembly bore and having an axial bore formed therein that complements the shape of the connector pin;
- wherein the connector assembly is adapted to couple the lead connector pin to an implantable medical device when the pin is received within the insert of the connector assembly.
2. The lead connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin comprises at least one planar surface.
3. The lead connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin comprises a polygonal shaped connector pin.
4. The lead connector arrangement of claim 3, wherein the polygonal shaped connector pin comprises at least one of a triangular, square, rectangular, and hexagonal shaped connector pin.
5. The lead connector arrangement of claim 4, wherein the axial bore comprises a polygonal shape that complements the shape of the polygonal shaped connector pin to reduce axial rotation of the connector pin within the axial bore of the insert.
6. The lead connector arrangement of claim 4, wherein the axial bore comprises at least one of a triangular, square, rectangular, and hexagonal shape that complements the shape of the at least one of a triangular, square, rectangular, and hexagonal shaped connector pin to reduce axial rotation of the connector pin within the axial bore of the insert.
7. The lead connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the connector pin comprises an inner threaded recess within a tip of the connector pin for coupling to a threaded pull tool, and wherein the pull tool is screwed into the inner threaded recess of the connector pin and the connector pin is pulled through the connector sleeve assembly until it is inserted within the axial bore of the insert.
8. The lead connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the lead connector arrangement couples the lead conductor to an implantable medical device.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 23, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 14, 2008
Inventors: Paul Stein (Maple Grove, MN), Timothy Holleman (Ham Lake, MN), Andrew Ries (Lino Lakes, MN), Harry Schroder (St. Louis Park, MN), Jordon Honeck (Maple Grove, MN), John Sommer (Coon Rapids, MN), Vicki Bjorklund (Maple Grove, MN)
Application Number: 11/877,336
International Classification: A61N 1/375 (20060101);