Abstract:
Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for electrical connections between an implanted wireless receiver and an implanted medical device powered by the receiver. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61/949,068, filed Mar. 6, 2014, titled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application is related to U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61/794,258, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0003]    The field relates generally to reliable electrical connectors for high-powered implantable medical devices in a fluid and tissue saturated environment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Implantable medical devices have been known for many years. Many implanted devices need to transmit and/or receive power or data. Examples of such devices are pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). 
         [0005]    Implanted medical devices often require electrical connectors for transmitting and receiving power. The connectors must be remain stable and operate reliably for many years to avoid the need for operating on the patient to replace the components. Corrosion can be a challenge because such medical devices include metal parts receiving power in a fluid environment. 
         [0006]    Pacemaker leads are well known for providing a stable and reliable electrical connection. Over the years pacemaker leads have developed to provide stable electrical connections while resisting corrosion and wear. Examples include U.S. Pub. Nos. 2010/0010604, 2011/0196464, 2010/0010604, and 2013/0109905 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,433,744 and 8,583,259, the entire contents of which publications and patents are incorporated herein for all purposes. A problem with existing electrical connectors for medical devices is that they do not remain stable when subjected to higher power and/or more challenging fluid environments. 
         [0007]    Connectors for other fluid environments have also been developed. Examples include underwater connectors and the like. Examples include European Pub. No. EP2665135 and EP2665137 and International Pub. No. WO1991/015882, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes. A problem with such connectors is that they are designed for a specific fluid environment (e.g., water) and operating conditions. 
         [0008]    There is a continuing need for improved electrical connectors for implanted medical devices. More broadly, there is the continuing need for improved reliable connectors for application in fluid-saturated environments, and in various respects body fluids. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An implantable connector configured to carry power and control signals to a medical device is provided, comprising a female connector comprising a jack, one or more wiper seals disposed in the jack, one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts disposed in the jack and positioned adjacent to or surrounded by the one or more wiper seals, and a male connector comprising, a plug adapted to be inserted into the jack of the female connector, one or more electrical contacts disposed on the plug, the one or more electrical contacts configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts and wiped clean of bodily fluid and/or debris when the plug of the male connector is inserted into the jack of the female connector. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the cantilevered electrical spring contacts comprise platinum iridium. 
         [0011]    A wirelessly powered implantable system is provided, comprising an implantable module adapted to be implanted within a patient and to receive wireless energy from an external module, a medical device adapted to be implanted within the patient and to receive power and control signals from the implantable module via a driveline cable, and a bulkhead connector configured to connect the driveline cable to the implantable module, the bulkhead connector comprising a female connector including a jack, one or more wiper seals disposed in the jack, and one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts disposed in the jack and positioned adjacent to or surrounded by the one or more wiper seals, and a male connector including a plug adapted to be inserted into the jack of the female connector and one or more electrical contacts disposed on the plug, the one or more electrical contacts configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more cantilevered electrical spring contacts and wiped clean of bodily fluid and/or debris, when the plug of the male connector is inserted into the jack of the female connector. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the cantilevered electrical spring contacts comprise platinum iridium. 
         [0013]    A method of providing an electrical connection in an implantable system is provided, comprising inserting a plug of a male connector into a jack of a female connector, wiping the plug with wiper seals disposed in the jack to clean the plug of bodily fluid and/or debris, and placing one or more platinum iridium cantilevered electrical spring contacts of the female connector into contact with electrical contacts of the male connector to electrically couple the female connector to the male connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an implantable system with an electrical connector comprising a bulkhead connector and a driveline cable. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of the connector. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3D  show various views of an electrical connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the description that follows, like components have been given the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments. To illustrate an embodiment(s) of the present disclosure in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an implantable medical system  100  that includes an implantable medical device  102  (shown as a ventricular assist device) and an implanted module  104  configured to receive wireless power from outside the body to provide power and control signals for the medical device. A bulkhead connector  106  and driveline cable  108  connect the implanted module to the medical device to provide power, data, and or/control signals from the module to the device. In one embodiment, the medical device is a relatively high powered device. In some embodiments the module supplies average power of about 5 VAC, about 10 VAC, or about 15 VAC. In some embodiments the module supplies peak power of 5 VAC, 10 VAC, 15 VAC, or 25 VAC. In one embodiment, the implanted module is configured to remain inside the patient&#39;s body for a minimum of three years, and to serve as the power source and controller for the medical device. In an exemplary embodiment the module is configured to supply ˜16 VAC to drive the medical device. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the implanted module  104  can include a receiver resonator coil and electronics configured to receive wireless energy from an external transmitter  110 , which can include a power supply such as a pulse generator connected to a transmitter resonator coil. The connector can allow a clinician to surgically replace the implanted module by disconnecting the existing driveline cable from the existing module, removing the existing module, and reconnecting the same driveline cable to a new module without removing the medical device. Similarly, the clinician can surgically replace the cable and/or the medical device while leaving the implanted module in place. In some embodiments, an external user interface  112  can be configured to communicate with the implanted module  104  and can be worn by the patient, such as on the patient&#39;s wrist. In other embodiments, the external controller can be an electronic computing device such as a personal computer, a tablet, smartphone, or laptop computer. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing showing an interface between a bulkhead connector  106  and a driveline cable  108 . The bulkhead connector can include a female connector  114 , a mechanical interface  116  connecting the female connector to the implanted module  104 , and an electrical interface  118 . The driveline cable  108  can include a male connector  120 , a mechanical interface  122 , an electrical interface  124 , and a strain relief  126  on the driveline cable at the male connector end. The mechanical interface between the female connector and the implanted module and between the male connector and the driveline cable can comprise an adhesive, for example an epoxy. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the bulkhead connector can include a male connector and the driveline cable can comprise a female connector. 
         [0022]    Various aspects of the bulkhead connector are similar to those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,462, 4,826,144, 4,876,781, 4,907,788, 4,915,366, 4,961,253, 4,964,204, 5,139,243, 5,160,122, 5,503,375, 5,615,870, 5,709,371, 5,791,638, 7,055,812, 4,678,210, 5,082,390, 5,411,348, 5,545,842, 6,749,358, 6,835,084, 7,070,455, and 7,195,523, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by reference. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3A  shows an embodiment of a connector including a connector  106  with a female connector  114  and a driveline cable  108  with a male connector  120 . As shown, the female connector  114  can comprise a jack  115  or slot within which the male plug  117  can be inserted to make the electrical connection between the female and male connector. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the male connector comprises a single plug and the female connector comprises a single jack, but it should be understood that other embodiments can include any number of a plurality of jacks and plugs. The connector is shown in  FIG. 3A  both connected (top) and disconnected (bottom). As should be understood, the bulkhead connector  106  can connect to the implantable module  104  of  FIG. 1 , and the driveline cable can connect to the medical device  102  of  FIG. 1 , or vice versa. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3B  is another view of the connector of  FIG. 3A , showing the connector  106  and the driveline cable  108  from a side view. The bulkhead connector  106  can include a female connector  114  and a set locking screw  128 , and the driveline cable  108  can include a male connector  120  and a set screw locking groove  130 . As in  FIG. 3A , the connection is shown connected in the top of  FIG. 3B  and disconnected in the bottom of  FIG. 3B . In one embodiment, hydrostatic lock between the male and female connectors can be avoided by including a vent  129  in the connector, such as in the female connector, to release excess fluid or pressure when the connection is made. The vent can comprise a passive-one way valve, for example. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3C  shows a cutaway view of the connector of  FIGS. 3A-4B  in the disconnected configuration. The female connector can include one or more o-rings  132  disposed within the jack of the female connector  114  that either surround or are positioned on both sides of the female electrical contacts  134  also disposed within the jack. In some embodiments, other fluid-sealing mechanisms may be employed in lieu of, or in addition to, the o-rings. The o-rings  132  surrounding male electrical contacts  134  can be implemented as wiper seals, as shown in  FIG. 3C . The contacts and o-rings are configured to form an interference fit with male electrical contacts  136  on the plug of the male connector  120  to be inserted. 
         [0026]    The o-rings acting as wiper seals are configured to perform two functions: they “wipe” the male connector of fluid, debris, and/or bodily fluids during insertion, and also electrically isolate the electrical connection between the female and the male electrical contacts when the male connector is fully inserted into the female connector. In  FIG. 3C , the female connector is shown having three female electrical contacts  134 , which are configured to couple to three male electrical contacts  136  when the male connector  120  is inserted into the female connector  114 . Electrical interfaces  118  and  124  can then carry power and control signals through the female connector  114  and male connector  120 , respectively. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3D  shows a close-up view of the o-rings  132  and female electrical contacts  134  of the female connector  114 . The female electrical contacts can comprise “canted” or cantilevered springs, as shown, which allows for movement of the female electrical contacts as they engage their corresponding male electrical contacts. An example of a canted spring for an electrical connector is shown and described in U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0174398, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the female electrical contacts, in the form of cantilevered springs, can comprise platinum iridium alloy (Pt-Ir). Platinum iridium has been chosen for its high corrosion resistance. This is particularly important for implanted devices because, in the exemplary embodiment, the connector is saturated in blood and bodily fluids when disconnected inside the body. Although Pt-Ir exemplifies excellent corrosion resistance, its mechanical properties and poor manufacturability make it unsuitable for connector applications. This is particularly true for spring-like elements as described here. By contrast, conventional medical devices typically use other materials which are easier to manufacture. For example, pacemakers typically use MP35N for connectors which can be resistance welded to the wire. These materials are sufficient when exposed to most bodily fluids but have insufficient resistance when saturated in blood for long periods. These materials typically will corrode and fail when exposed to continuous voltages from a high voltage implanted medical device. Pacemakers are typically placed subcutaneously in a pacemaker pocket in the upper torso in part to limit exposure to stresses and strains. The pacemaker location is also relatively easy to access for component replacement. By contrast, the exemplary embodiment illustrates a connector placed deep in the abdominal area where the connector is exposed to high pull forces and stresses. This application is far more demanding than the typical medical application. In addition to the anatomical differences, the high power run through the exemplary connector (e.g., several watts or more of continuous power) further increases the risk of corrosion compared to conventional devices like pacemaker leads. 
         [0029]    In one specific embodiment, the cantilevered spring female electrical contacts can have a non-uniform cross-section, where the cantilever is thickest at the point where the contact anchors to the female connector and thins towards the tip of the spring, so deflection is observed towards the tip. The cross section of the female electrical contact can be rectangular or circular, for example. The wiper seals can comprise an electrically isolating material designed to isolate the contacts  419  of the female connector. The wiper seals can be configured to scrape, wipe, or remove fluid or other debris from the male connector as it is inserted into the female connector. One will appreciate from the foregoing that the above configuration provides double sealing. The o-rings isolate individual electrical contacts from the others. In addition, the wiper seals also provide isolation. In this manner a secure and isolated connection is formed with each contact. 
         [0030]    The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.