# US 10,307,602 B2 · Threaded connector assembly and methods of making and using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,602 B2 - Document ID: US10307602B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/641,688 - Filed: 2017-07-05 - Published: 2018-01-11 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-08 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Applicants: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Inventors: Jacob B. Leven - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307602B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/3752: {Details of casing-lead connections} - A61N 1/05: for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode (A61N1/06 takes precedence) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A connector assembly includes a lead with a lead body having proximal and distal portions. The lead body defines a longitudinal axis. Terminals are disposed along the proximal portion and a proximal tip is attached thereto. The proximal tip defines an aperture that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The connector assembly further includes a connector having a connector body, a connector lumen, and connector contacts disposed within the connector body. The connector body includes a fastener aperture proximal to all of the connector contacts and intersecting the connector lumen. The fastener aperture and the aperture of the proximal tip align when the proximal portion is fully received within the connector lumen. At least one of the apertures includes internal threading. The connector assembly also includes a threaded fastener for insertion into the apertures to secure the lead to the connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector assembly comprising: an implantable lead comprising a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, the lead further comprising a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body and a proximal tip attached to the proximal portion of the lead body, the proximal tip defining an aperture that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lead body; a connector comprising a connector body, a connector lumen, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed within the connector body and adjacent the connector lumen, the connector body comprising a fastener aperture proximal to all of the connector contacts and intersecting the connector lumen, wherein the fastener aperture of the connector and aperture of the proximal tip of the lead are configured and arranged for alignment when the proximal portion of the lead body is fully received within the connector lumen, wherein one of the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead or the fastener aperture of the connector comprises internal threading; and a threaded fastener configured and arranged for insertion into the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead and the fastener aperture of the connector and engaging the internal threading to fasten the lead to the connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead extends completely through the proximal tip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an end stop disposed within the connector body and positioned to halt the insertion of the lead into the connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the end stop is made from a material that is more rigid than a material of the lead body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the proximal tip is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the lead body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein an internal diameter of the fastener aperture is equal to an internal diameter of the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener aperture is fully threaded. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead is fully threaded. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded fastener is fully threaded along an outer surface of the threaded fastener. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein, after insertion of the threaded fastener, a first end portion of the threaded fastener is in contact with the end stop and a second, opposing end portion of the threaded fastener extends out of an outer periphery of the end stop. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein, after insertion of the threaded fastener, a first end portion of the threaded fastener is in contact with the end stop and a second, opposing end portion of the threaded fastener seated below an outer periphery of the end stop. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein an interface between the threaded fastener and the proximal tip provides a fluid resistant seal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded fastener is a set screw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein a receiving portion of the proximal tip is countersunk. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An electrical stimulation system comprising: the connector assembly of claim 1; and a control module coupleable to the connector assembly, the control module comprising a housing, and an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical stimulation system of claim 15, further comprising a lead extension coupleable to both the connector assembly and the control module. ### Claim 17 An implantable lead comprising: a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the lead body defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body; and a proximal tip attached to the proximal portion of the lead body, the proximal tip defining an aperture that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lead body, wherein at least a portion of an internal surface of the aperture is internally threaded for engagement with a threaded fastener. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The lead of claim 17, wherein the internal surface of the aperture is fully threaded along a length of the aperture. ### Claim 19 A connector assembly comprising: an implantable lead comprising a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, the lead further comprising a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body and a proximal tip attached to the proximal portion of the lead body, the proximal tip defining an aperture that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lead body and comprises internal threading; a connector comprising a connector body, a connector lumen, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed within the connector body and adjacent the connector lumen, the connector body comprising a fastener aperture proximal to all of the connector contacts and intersecting the connector lumen, wherein the fastener aperture of the connector and aperture of the proximal tip of the lead are configured and arranged for alignment when the proximal portion of the lead body is fully received within the connector lumen; and a threaded fastener configured and arranged for insertion into the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead and the fastener aperture of the connector and engaging the internal threading to fasten the lead to the connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the aperture of the proximal tip of the lead extends completely through the proximal tip.