Implantable electrical connector
AssigneeCochlear Limited
InventorJohn Chambers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An implantable connector for connecting components of implantable medical devices. The connector comprises first and second connector halves electrically coupled to the implantable components. A sealing membrane is provided to seal the electrical connection between the first and second connector halves. The sealing membrane is configured to be ruptured with a minimal amount of force so that the connector halves may be readily disconnected from each other.
Claims45
A medical device comprising:
- first and second implantable components;
- an electrical connector configured to electrically connect said first and second components, comprising:
- first and second connector halves electrically coupled to said first and second components, respectively, and
- a sealing membrane configured to seal the electrical connection between said first and second connector halves, wherein said sealing membrane is configured to be ruptured with a minimal amount of force so that said first and second connector halves may be readily disconnected from each other.
A method of reconfiguring a first implanted component electrically connected to a second implanted component via an electrical connector, said electrical connector comprising first and second connector halves electrically coupled to said first and second components, respectively, and a sealing membrane configured to seal the electrical connection between said first and second connector halves, said method comprising:
- opening the site of said implanted components;
- rupturing said sealing membrane with the application of minimal force;
- separating said connector halves so as to electrically disconnect said first and second components;
- and
- adjusting the configuration of said first component.
A method of manufacturing a medical device, comprising:
- providing a first implantable component electrically coupled to a first connector half;
- providing a second implantable component electrically coupled to a second connector half;
- physically connecting said first and second connector halves so as to electrically connect said first and second components;
- and
- sealing the electrical connection between said first and second mated halves with a sealing membrane, wherein said sealing membrane is configured to be ruptured upon the application of a minimal force so that said first and second connector halves may be disconnected from each other.
A connector for electrical connecting first and second implantable components comprising:
- first and second connector halves electrically coupled to said first and second components, respectively, and
- a sealing membrane configured to seal the electrical connection between said first and second connector halves, wherein said sealing membrane is configured to be ruptured with a minimal amount of force so that said first and second connector halves may be readily disconnected from each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.