Patent ID: 7736191
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: A61N,H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An implantable electrical connector assembly for separably connecting at least one multi-conductor implantable lead, having a proximal end with a plurality of lead contacts, to an implantable device, said connector assembly comprising: (a) a hermetic electrical feedthrough comprising a housing having inside walls and side walls; at least one dielectric substrate having an exterior side and an interior side; at least one exterior cavity formed by said inside walls and said exterior side of said dielectric substrate; a plurality of conductive feedthrough pins, said feedthrough pins providing pass-through connections from said exterior side of said dielectric substrate to said interior side of said dielectric substrate, each said feedthrough pin having an external end communicating with said feedthrough external cavity; (b) a plurality of receptacle contact assemblies, each receptacle contact assembly comprising a receptacle contact and a contact guard, said contact guard having a base and side arms, said side arms having outermost tips; said contact assembly adapted to join and electrically connect to said external end of said feedthrough pin; said receptacle contact having a mid-section and a plurality of resilient contact tines, each contact tine having a mating end; said receptacle contact mid-section joined and electrically connected to said contact guard base, said contact guard providing protection for said receptacle contact by protectively shielding said receptacle contact and limiting unintended excursion of any of said contact tines; (c) at least one elastomeric seal having at least one lumen for receiving said proximal end of said multi-conductor lead without significant interference, said seal having a bottom side cooperating with said exterior side of said dielectric substrate, and having a top side; said bottom side having apertures communicating with said lumen so that, after said proximal end of said lead is inserted into said lumen, each lead contact is accessible from said bottom side of said seal for an engagement by said contact tines of said receptacle contact when said connector is mated; (d) a connector clamping means comprising a clamping cover and at least one fastener; said clamping cover cooperating with said top side of said seal, said at least one fastener adapted to detachably engage said feedthrough housing, whereby when said clamping means are attached to said feedthrough housing, said cover exerts pressure on said top side of said seal thus completing the engagement of said lead contact with said contact tines and compressing said seal; the compression of said seal causing said seal apertures to be sealed along said exterior side of dielectric substrate and between said lead contacts along said lumen of said seal, thus isolating electrical connections contained within each said seal aperture.