Medical lead adaptor

An adaptor for making a rapid electrical connection between an external medical device and an implantable cardiac pacing lead having an elongated lead body extending between a proximal lead end and a distal lead end, a pacing lead connector at the proximal end of the pacing lead body, an electrode at the distal end of the pacing lead body, first and second spaced apart pacing lead conductors extending within the pacing lead body and coupled to first and second spaced apart connector elements of the pacing lead connector, and a lumen extending within the pacing lead body to receive a stylet wire that can be manipulated by a control element at the end of a portion of the stylet wire that extends proximally of the lumen opening, comprising:

• a. an adaptor lead body having first and second electrical conductors extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
• b. a connector at the proximal adaptor lead body end adapted for making an electrical connection to an external medical device;
• c. an adaptor connector body at the distal adaptor lead body end adapted to mate with the lead connector at the proximal end of the pacing lead body and establish an electrical connection between the first and second pacing lead connector elements and the first and second adaptor lead conductors, said adaptor connector body comprising:
• (i) a housing of flexible insulating material having an elongated receptacle extending across a substantially planar surface thereof between a proximal side edge, a distal side edge, and a lateral side edge and being shaped to conform to the profile of the pacing lead connector so as to accept insertion of the pacing lead connector and permit the portion of a stylet wire extending proximally of the lead lumen to remain accessible for manipulation following insertion of the pacing lead connector, said housing including an opening disposed adjacent the proximal side edge through which the portion of a stylet wire extending proximally of the lead lumen opening is received upon insertion of the lead connector;
• (ii) first and second contacts positioned along the receptacle so as to be spaced apart between the housing surface proximal and distal side edges for making electrical contact with the first and second pacing lead connector elements upon insertion of the pacing lead connector into the receptacle, said receptacle contacts being formed of a conductive material and being dimensioned so as to engage and restrict lateral movement of the pacing lead connector elements seated against them;
• (iii) a separate electrical connection between the first receptacle contact and the first adaptor lead conductor and between the second receptacle contact and the second adaptor lead conductor;
• and
• (iv) a locking mechanism disposed adjacent the receptacle and manipulatable between an open position and a closed position, said locking mechanism when in the open position allowing a pacing lead connector and stylet wire extending proximally from the pacing lead lumen to be inserted laterally into the receptacle and to be withdrawn laterally therefrom and when in the closed position locking the pacing lead connector therein with a secure electrical contact between each receptacle contact and a corresponding pacing lead connector element while allowing manipulation of the stylet wire with respect to the lead lumen, said locking mechanism including first and second force hooks to apply and release force with respect to pacing lead connector elements seated against the first and second receptacle contacts.