In-line lead header for an implantable medical device

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing containing electronic circuitry and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element;
• interlocking means disposed between each adjoining one of the first plurality of header connector elements and the second plurality of fluid seals for interlocking the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack of alternating header connector elements and fluid seals to electrically insulate the header connector elements from one another with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack bore and stack axis;
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements;
• and
• a setscrew connector element supporting a setscrew aligned radially with a connector block bore, and further interlocking means disposed between the setscrew connector element and at least one of the second plurality of fluid seals for interlocking the setscrew connector element into the stack with the connector block bore in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores and the connector element bores to define the stack bore and stack axis.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing containing electronic circuitry and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized receive a lead insulator element;
• interlocking means disposed between each adjoining one of the first plurality of header connector elements and the second plurality of fluid seals for interlocking the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack of alternating header connector elements and fluid seals to electrically insulate the header connector elements from one another with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack bore and stack axis;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the second plurality of fluid seals exceeds the first plurality of electrical connector elements whereby end fluid seals are fixed at each end of the stack by the interlocking means, and further comprising reinforcing means fitted to the end fluid seals to mechanically reinforce the fluid seals against forces tending to collapse or distort the fluid seals.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the interlocking grooves and flanges are annular and are formed to extend parallel to the stack axis to mechanically interlock the header connector elements and fluid seals.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating;
• flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the interlocking grooves and flanges are annular and are formed to extend parallel to the stack axis to mechanically reinforce the fluid seals against forces tending to collapse or distort the fluid seals.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the first plurality of header connector elements is formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls forming an interior channel, and further comprises a continuous coil spring fitted into and retained by the interior channel, whereby turns of the coil spring bear against lead connector elements inserted into the header connector element bore.

In an PG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the seal bore of at least one of the second plurality of fluid seals is formed with a sealing ring that is sized to frictionally engage a lead insulator element inserted into the fluid seal bore.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements;
• and
• a setscrew connector element supporting a setscrew aligned radially with a connector block bore and formed with a flange extending from the setscrew connector element into a mating groove of at least one of the second plurality of fluid seals for interlocking the setscrew connector element into the stack with the connector block bore in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores and the connector element bores to define the stack bore and stack axis.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising:

• a connector header base having an attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first wall and a second female groove formed in to a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements;
• and
• a setscrew connector element supporting a setscrew aligned radially with a connector block bore and formed with a first flange extending from a first side of the setscrew connector element into a mating groove of a first one of the second plurality of fluid seals and with a second flange extending from a second side of the setscrew connector element into a mating groove of a second one of the second plurality of fluid seal for interlocking the setscrew connector element into the stack with the connector block bore in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores and the connector element bores to define the stack bore and stack axis.

In an IPG comprising an IPG housing and an IPG connector header having a header bore for receiving and making connection between a lead connector assembly of an implantable medical lead comprising a plurality of lead connector elements arranged in-line and separated by lead insulator elements, an improved IPG connector header comprising;

• a connector header base having attachment surface shaped to be attached with a surface of the IPG housing, a header bore entrance into which the lead connector assembly is inserted to make the connection, and a cavity axially aligned with the header bore entrance;
• a first plurality of electrically conductive, header connector elements each having a connector element bore sized to receive and make electrical contact with a lead connector element, each header connector element formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first male flange extending away from the first end wall and a second connector annular male flange extending away from the second end wall;
• a second plurality of electrically insulating, flexible fluid seals each having a seal bore sized to receive a lead insulator element, each fluid seal formed of a sidewall extending between first and second end walls and having a first female groove formed into the first end wall and a second female groove formed into a second end wall;
• wherein predetermined ones of the first and second flanges of the first plurality of header connector elements are inserted into the first and second grooves of the second plurality of fluid seals to interlock the first plurality of header connector elements with the second plurality of fluid seals in a stack with the connector element bores in axial alignment with the fluid seal bores to define a stack axis and stack bore;
• and
• means for maintaining the stack within the connector header base with the stack bore axially aligned with the header bore entrance to define the header bore for receiving the lead connector assembly with header connector elements in electrical contact with the lead connector elements and fluid seals in contact with lead insulator elements, wherein the second plurality of fluid seals exceeds the first plurality of electrical connector elements whereby end fluid seals are fixed at each end of the stack by the interlocking flanges and grooves exhibiting empty end grooves in each end fluid seal, and further comprising a reinforcing flange fitted to end grooves of the end fluid seals to mechanically reinforce the fluid seals against forces tending to collapse or distort the fluid seals.