US 7,890,184 B2Granted

Conductor junctions for medical electrical leads

AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.

InventorsCraig T. Huotari, Joseph F. Lessar, Mark D. Breyen, Ryan Thomas Bauer

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Abstract

A core component of a medical electrical lead extends within an inner conductive surface of a conductive ring such that an outer surface of the core holds a portion of a conductor against the inner conductive surface for electrical contact therewith. The outer surface of the core may be deformed by a compressive force of the conductor portion having been forced against the inner surface of the ring. Such a conductor junction may be formed by pushing the ring over the core to capture the conductor portion between the ring and the core and thereby displace a layer of insulation surrounding the conductor portion. The inner surface of the ring preferably has a diameter at one, or both terminal ends that is greater than a diameter of the inner surface between the ends.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A medical electrical lead, comprising:

an elongate conductor including a first portion, a second portion and a layer of insulation;
the second portion extending from the first portion, and the layer of insulation completely surrounding a circumference of the first portion and partially surrounding a circumference of the second portion;
a conductive ring including a first terminal end, a second terminal end, opposite the first terminal end, an external conductive surface, an inner conductive surface having a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter;
the first terminal end being disposed adjacent to the first portion of the conductor, the inner conductive surface extending around the second portion of the conductor and making electrical contact therewith, and the second inner diameter being disposed at the second terminal end and being greater than the first inner diameter;
and
a core component extending within the inner surface of the ring and including an outer surface;
the outer surface of the core holding the second portion of the conductor against the inner conductive surface of the ring for the electrical contact, and the outer surface of the core being deformed by a compressive force of the second portion of the conductor forced against the core by the first inner diameter of inner conductive surface of the ring.

4 more elements

A medical electrical lead comprising:

an elongate lead body;
an elongate conductor extending through the lead body, wherein the elongate conductor comprises a proximal end and a distal end, conductive material extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and insulation surrounding the conductive material to electrically isolate the conductive material;
a core component extending along only a portion of the lead body, wherein a terminal portion of the elongate conductor contacts an outer surface of the core component;
and
a conductive ring located over the core component, wherein the conductive ring comprises an external surface and an inner surface, wherein the terminal portion of the elongate conductor is located and compressed between the inner surface of the conductive ring and the outer surface of the core component, and wherein the conductive ring electrically couples to the conductive material in the terminal portion of the elongate conductor, wherein the conductive ring defines a lumen extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the lumen defines a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter, and further wherein the lumen comprises the second inner diameter at the first end of the conductive ring.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/669,432Filed 31 Jan 2007
Published: US 2008/0178449 A131 Jul 2008
Granted: 15 Feb 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A61N 1/056
For implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode: transvascular endocardial electrode systems
H01R 4/50
Clamped connections, spring connections: utilising a cam, wedge, cone or ball also combined with a screw
H01R 2201/12
Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications: for medicine and surgery
Y10T 29/5193
Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for metal shaping or assembling: electrical connector or terminal