METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONNECTING ELECTRICAL LEADS TO AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE
An implantable medical device having a lead retention assembly is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead retention assembly comprises at least two receptacles configured to receive a connective end of a respective electrical lead, a support member, a first side clamp configured to define a first port in conjunction with the support member, a second side clamp configured to define a second port in conjunction with the support member, and a fastener configured to urge both the first and second side clamps toward the support member upon actuation of the fastener.
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This application is a division of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/767,322, filed Jun. 22, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to lead retention assemblies of implantable medical devices and methods for connecting implantable medical leads to such devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and mechanisms for securely locking implantable medical leads within a lead retention assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCardiac pacemakers, and other implantable stimulation devices such as cardioverters and defibrillators, are typically hermetically sealed within a housing or casing (sometimes also referred to as a “can”) to isolate the electronic circuits contained within the device from the body environment. Such devices require that electrical signals be reliably passed between the hermetically sealed circuitry and external connectors without compromising the hermeticity of the device. Depending on the configuration of the implantable device there may be multiple electrical paths required between the device and its external connectors for delivering, for example, multi-chamber or multi-site stimulation and shock therapy, and for receiving sensed cardiac signals. These paths should be electrically and mechanically integrated with the device to provide a safe, long-term lead retention assembly that does not compromise the hermetic package.
Typically, a hermetic housing feedthrough electrically couples the electronic circuits contained within the device housing to the lead retention assembly. The feedthrough may extend through the wall of the hermetically sealed casing into the lead retention assembly so as to couple the electronic circuits within the casing to lead-receiving receptacles within the lead retention assembly. Each lead has one or more electrical terminals on a proximal end thereof, typically in the form of a pin terminal and one or more conductive ring terminals. Typically, the pin is electrically coupled to a distal tip electrode and is therefore sometimes called the “tip terminal.” When the proximal end of the lead is inserted into the lead receptacle of a lead retention assembly, contacts within the receptacle come into contact with corresponding terminals on the lead so as to couple the lead to the electronic circuits within the implantable stimulation device via the feedthrough assembly. Needless to say, a completely dependable electrical connection is useful between the lead terminals and the corresponding lead retention assembly contacts. At the same time, the lead retention assembly being capable of releasing the lead from the lead receptacle during explantation or other subsequent surgical procedure may be useful, as may doing so while remaining tightly sealed against the entry of body fluids.
It is known in prior art lead retention assemblies to electrically and mechanically connect the proximal end of the lead within a receptacle of the lead retention assembly by a variety of expedients including captive fastening screw/collet arrangements and setscrews. In such prior art lead retention assemblies in which the lead is fixed within the lead receptacle using a setscrew, the setscrew is often threaded into an electrical connector block within the lead retention assembly. When the screw is advanced, it comes into contact with an associated terminal on the proximal end of the lead, mechanically and electrically coupling the lead and the lead retention assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,145, issued Jan. 10, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an example of a lead retention assembly mounted on an implantable cardiac stimulation device having a side-actuated mechanism for fixing and tightly sealing electrical leads inserted into lead receptacles.
SUMMARYThere is a need in the art for improved systems and methods for connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device. Although technology related to connection assemblies has advanced to provide various approaches, such approaches tend to be complex and/or expensive. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a lead retention assembly for connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device that is more reliable and easier to use.
Various embodiments of the present invention may provide a lead retention assembly in which a fastener is configured to urge both a first side clamp and a second side clamp toward a support upon actuation of the fastener. Such an approach may reduce a number of fasteners needed to secure a plurality of electrical leads.
Some embodiments may provide a lead retention assembly in which the various components are held together in an unclamped state. Such an approach may prevent a loss of parts, and may also facilitate clamping actuation of the lead retention assembly.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a lead retention assembly for connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device. The lead retention assembly may include at least two receptacles each configured to receive a proximal end portion of a respective electrical lead. Each receptacle may include an electrical contact for electrically connecting the respective electrical lead to electrical circuitry of an implantable medical device. The lead retention assembly may further include a support member, a first side clamp configured to define a first port in conjunction with the support, a second side clamp configured to define a second port in conjunction with the support and a fastener configured to urge both the first and second side clamps toward the support upon actuation of the fastener. Such urging may cause the lead retention assembly to clamp the proximal end portions of the respective electrical leads within the first and second ports.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for connecting electrical leads in an implantable medical device. The system may include an implantable medical device including electrical circuitry and a lead retention assembly configured to be secured to the implantable medical device. The lead retention assembly may include a support member, a first side clamp and a second side clamp. The first and second side clamps may respectively be configured to define first and second ports in conjunction with the support, which ports may include respective receptacles configured to receive a respective electrical lead body. Each receptacle may include an electrical contact for electrically connecting the respective electrical lead body to the electrical circuitry of the implantable medical device. The lead retention assembly may further include a fastener configured to urge both the first and second side clamps toward the support upon actuation of the fastener, to thereby clamp the respective electrical lead bodies within the first and second ports. The system may also include at least two electrical leads each including a proximal end portion configured to be secured in the first and second ports respectively when the first and second side clamps are urged toward the support upon actuation of the fastener.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method for connecting electrical leads in an implantable medical device. The method may include providing a lead retention assembly, or system, such as described above; inserting at least two electrical lead bodies, each including a respective proximal end portion, into the respective receptacles to be in electrical communication with a respective electrical contact in the respective receptacles; and actuating the fastener to thereby clamp the proximal end portions of the respective electrical lead bodies within the first and second ports.
Disclosed herein is an implantable pulse generator such as a pacemaker, defibrillator or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The generator is configured to have at least first and second implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads secured thereto. In one embodiment, the generator includes a first clamp, a second clamp and an actuator. The first clamp is configured to secure the first lead to the generator. The second clamp is configured to secure the second lead to the generator. The actuator is configured to cause both clamps to secure their respective leads.
Disclosed herein is an implantable pulse generator such as a pacemaker, defibrillator or ICD. The generator is configured to have at least first and second implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads secured thereto. In one embodiment, the generator includes a pair of opposed clamps, a support positioned between the clamps, and an actuator. Rotation of at least a portion of the actuator relative to the support causes both clamps to generally simultaneously increasingly clamp the leads against the front support portion.
Disclosed herein is an implantable pulse generator such as a pacemaker, defibrillator or ICD. The generator is configured to have at least first and second implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads secured thereto. In one embodiment, the generator includes a pair of opposed clamps, a support positioned between the clamps, and a means for generally simultaneously impacting the positional relationship of both clamps relative to the front support portion to secure the leads between the clamps and the support.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
The following description is of embodiments presently contemplated for practicing the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims. In the description of the invention that follows, like numerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts or elements throughout.
Although it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to a variety of implantable medical devices, the description herein is principally in the context of a specific example of such devices, namely, an implantable cardiac device, such as a pacemaker and/or defibrillator. However, such description is for the sake of understanding only, and is not limiting.
The disclosed devices, systems and associated methods are directed at connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device. Such connection may occur, for example, before or during implantation of the device, or after the device has been implanted, for example, to replace one or more leads. Although the methods contemplated are described in conjunction with the devices and systems illustrated herein, it should be understood that numerous variations exist for implementing the methods.
Such a lead is well known, as is described in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,145. Thus, further details are not discussed. It should be understood that the pacing lead is only an example of an electrical lead that may be used with the devices, systems and methods described herein. In particular, it should be understood that the proximal lead end portion of the electrical lead may or may not include any suitable feature(s) for cooperating with the lead retention assembly, to provide a mechanical engagement and/or a friction fit, as appropriate or desired.
The lead retention assembly 22 may include a support 40, opposed first and second side clamps 42, 44, and one or more fasteners 45 for securing the side clamps to the support 40 to clamp the connective ends 10 of the leads in place. The support 40 may be molded of a material such as polysulfone or tecothane. The side clamps 42, 44 may be molded of material such as polysulfone or delrin or machined from a material such as titanium or stainless steel. The support 40 may include a rear portion 50 and a nose or front portion 52 that is narrower than the rear portion and defines opposed side recesses 54, 56 for receiving the side clamps 42, 44, respectively. The rear support portion 50, the front support portion 52 and the side clamps 42, 44 include curved outer surfaces that form a substantially continuous, smooth, outer lead retention assembly surface when the side clamps are in their fully clamped position, as illustrated in
Depending on the embodiment, the lead retention assembly 22 may have one, two or more bores 70 and one, two or more fasteners 45. For example, as can be understood from
As illustrated in
As shown in
The fastener 45 may include a first or male fastener portion 46 and a second or female fastener portion 48.
With reference to
A free end of the wide diameter shaft section 199 of the male fastener portion 46 may include a first threaded end 61 configured to engage the internal clamp thread 73 in the second side clamp 44. The male fastener portion 46 may include a first shoulder 62 between the first threaded end 61 and the ring 200. The first shoulder 62 of the male fastener portion 46 may be configured to abut the first inner shoulder 74 in the second side clamp 44, for example, when the first threaded end 61 of the male fastener portion 46 is fully engaged in the internal clamp thread 73 of the second side clamp 44.
The ring 200 of the male fastener portion 46 may form a second shoulder 63 configured to abut the second inner shoulder 75 in the front support portion 52, for example, when the lead retention assembly 22 is fully opened to the maximum extent, as depicted in
The narrow diameter shaft section 64 of the male fastener portion 46 may extend from the ring 200. The free end of the narrow diameter shaft section 64 may include a second threaded end 65. As described below and depicted in
With reference to
As indicated in
As shown in
As can be understood from
As illustrated in
The anchor 90 may include one or more outwardly extending flange 92. The outwardly extending flange 92 may be of any suitable shape and/or size, as may the anchor 90. For example, the anchor 90 and/or the outwardly extending flange 92 may be annular. Alternatively, the outwardly extending flange 92 may include one or more protrusions or tabs.
As shown in
As can be understood from
As discussed above and can be understood from
In one embodiment, as can be understood from
As indicated in
In another embodiment, the male fastener portion 46 does not have the first threaded end 61. Instead, the region of male fastener portion 46 having the first threaded end 61 depicted in
As shown in
As indicated in
In one embodiment and as can be understood from
The preceding discussion pertains to various embodiments wherein the female fastener portion 48 includes the head 81 and is free to rotate relative to the male fastener portion 46, which is fixed to the second side clamp 44 and prevented from rotating relative to the front support portion 52. However, in other embodiments, the male fastener portion 46 includes the head and is free to rotate relative to the female fastener portion 48, which is fixed to the first side clamp 42 and prevented from rotating relative to the front support portion 52.
The preceding discussion pertains to various embodiments wherein the male fastener portion 46 includes a ring 200, the female fastener portion 48 includes an anchor 90 with a flexible flange 92, and the fastener portions 46, 48 are passed into the bore 70 of the front support portion 52 via the side of the front support portion 52 having the first side clamp 42. However, in other embodiments, the ring 200 of the male fastener portion 46 can be replaced with an anchor similar to the anchor 90 on the female fastener portion 48. With such an embodiment, the male fastener portion 46 could pass into the bore 70 of the front support portion 52 via the side of the front support portion 52 having the second side clamp 44.
As can be understood from
The mounting of the lead retention assembly 22′ on the implantable medical device 20 may be in any known or hereafter developed manner, and thus is not described herein. It should be understood that any suitable location of the lead retention assembly 22′ on the implantable medical device 20 may be employed, for example, depending on the particular configuration of the implantable medical device 20.
As shown in
As shown in detail in
The bore 170 may provide an internal clamp thread 173 and a first inner shoulder 174 in the second side clamp 144. The bore 170 may provide a second inner shoulder 175 in the front support portion 152. The fastener 145 may include corresponding features that cooperate with the features of the bore 170, as described below.
The fastener 145 may include a first or male fastener portion 146 and a second or female fastener portion 148.
With reference to
The male fastener portion 146 may also include a ring 200 and a second shoulder 163 configured to abut the second inner shoulder 175 in the front support portion 152, for example, when the lead retention assembly 122 is fully opened to the maximum extent, as depicted in
A narrower diameter portion 164 of the male fastener portion 146 may extend from the second ring 200 to provide a second threaded end 165. As described below, the narrower diameter portion 164 of the male fastener portion 146 may be configured to allow the second threaded end 165 to cooperate with the female fastener portion 148. In particular, the narrower diameter portion 164 of the male fastener portion 146 may include a flange 166 that extends radially outwardly. The flange 166 may include a chamfer 167.
With reference to
As indicated in
The flanges 235 of the flanged end 186 of the female fastener portion 148 may also include chamfers 188 that cooperate with the chamfer 167 of the flange 166 of the male fastener portion 146 to facilitate insertion of the flange 166 of the male fastener portion 146 past the flanged end 186 into the unthreaded portion 184 of the female fastener portion 148. Thus, the fastener portions 146, 148 may be secured together by pushing them longitudinally towards each other. In such a condition, the second threaded end 165 may be movable within the unthreaded portion 184, for example, to provide a limited amount of play or relative movement of the fastener portions 146, 148 while connected and, as a result, a limited amount of movement of the side clamps 142, 144 relative to the front support portion 152.
As with the embodiments discussed with respect to
As can be understood from the preceding discussion, the fasteners 45 act as actuators 45 for actuating the side clamps 42, 44 to secure the leads to the pulse generator (e.g., defibrillator, pacemaker, or ICD) 20. Lead connective ends 10 are placed in their respective receptacles 31-36, and the actuators 45 are manipulated to cause both of the clamps 42, 44 connected thereto to clamp the lead connective ends between the front support portion 52 and the respective clamp. As can be understood from the preceding discussion, in one embodiment, each actuator 45 is operably coupled to both clamps 42, 44. Actuation of a single actuator 45 impacts the positional relationship of both clamps 42, 44 relative to the front support portion 52. Thus, rotating a single actuator 45 in a first direction relative to the generator 20 can cause both clamps 42, 44 to generally simultaneously increasingly clamp lead connective ends 10 against the front support portion 52. Conversely, rotating a single actuator 45 in a second direction relative to the generator 20 can cause both clamps 42, 44 to generally simultaneously decreasingly clamp lead connective ends 10 against the front support portion 52.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An implantable pulse generator comprising:
- a lead retention assembly for connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device, the lead retention assembly comprising:
- at least two receptacles each configured to receive a connective end of a respective electrical lead, each receptacle including an electrical contact for electrically connecting the respective electrical lead to electrical circuitry of an implantable medical device;
- a support member;
- a first side clamp configured to define a first port in conjunction with the support and a second side clamp configured to define a second port in conjunction with the support, the first and second ports comprising the at least two receptacles; and
- a fastener configured to urge both the first and second side clamps toward the support upon actuation of the fastener and to thereby clamp the connective ends of the respective electrical lead bodies within the first and second ports.
2. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises:
- a first portion configured to engage the first side clamp; and
- a second portion configured to engage the second side clamp;
- the first and second portions configured to be threadedly engaged with one another such that rotation of one of the first and second portions causes the first and second portions to translate toward one another.
3. The implantable pulse generator of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second portions is retained with the support.
4. The implantable pulse generator of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second portions is configured to engage the respective first or second side clamp via a shoulder and to engage the support via an anchor.
5. The implantable pulse generator of claim 4, wherein the anchor comprises a radially extending flange configured to engage a shoulder of the support.
6. The implantable pulse generator of claim 5, wherein the anchor is fixedly secured to the one of the first and second portions.
7. The implantable pulse generator of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second portions is configured to engage the respective first or second side clamp via a threaded connection and to engage the support via a shoulder.
8. The implantable pulse generator of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second portions comprises a first threaded section and a second threaded section separated by a threadless section.
9. The implantable pulse generator of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second portions comprises a generally outwardly extending flange, the other of the first and second portions comprises a generally inwardly extending flange, and the outwardly and inwardly extending flanges are configured to engage one another to secure the first and second portions together with a limited relative movement therebetween.
10. The implantable pulse generator of claim 9, wherein the inwardly extending flange includes at least one longitudinal slot that allows at least a portion of the inwardly extending flange to move outwardly.
11. The implantable pulse generator of claim 9, wherein at least one of the inwardly and outwardly extending flanges includes a chamfer that facilitates movement of the flanges past one another for engagement thereof.
12. A method of connecting a plurality of electrical leads to an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
- providing a lead retention assembly including a support member, a first side clamp and a second side clamp, a first port and a second port each defining a respective receptacle in conjunction with the support, and a fastener configured to urge both the first and second side clamps toward the support upon actuation of the fastener;
- providing at least two electrical lead bodies each including a respective proximal end portion;
- inserting the respective proximal end portions into the respective receptacles to be in electrical communication with a respective electrical contact in the respective receptacles; and
- actuating the fastener to thereby clamp the proximal end portions of the respective electrical lead bodies within the first and second ports.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein actuating the fastener comprises:
- rotating a first portion of the fastener relative to a second portion of the fastener such that the first and second portions to translate toward one another.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising retaining at least one of the first and second portions with the support.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein retaining at least one of the first and second portions comprises securing an anchor to the first and/or second portions.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising engaging at least one of the first and second portions with the respective first or second side clamp via a threaded connection.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising connecting the first and second portions together with a limited relative movement.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 29, 2010
Applicant: PACESETTER, INC. (Sylmar, CA)
Inventor: Wisit Lim (Palmdale, CA)
Application Number: 12/727,009
International Classification: A61N 1/375 (20060101); H01R 43/00 (20060101);