Patent ID: 8597042

Claim:
An implantable medical connector for electrically coupling a medical lead to an implantable medical device, wherein the lead comprises a proximal end portion having a shoulder, the connector comprising: a first elongate member having (i) a proximal end portion, and (ii) a distal end portion configured to engage the lead; and a second elongate member having (i) a proximal end portion, and (ii) a distal end portion configured to engage the lead, wherein the first elongate member is pivotably coupled to the second elongate member such that the distal end portions of the first and second elongate members are moveable to allow insertion of the lead past the distal end portions of the elongate members and to allow the distal end portions to engage the lead shoulder; a fulcrum positioned between proximal and distal end portions of the first and second elongate members, wherein the first and second elongate members are pivotable about the fulcrum; wherein the first and second elongate members are pivotable such that the distal end portions of the first and second elongate members are moveable from (i) an engaged position in which the distal end portions are configured to engage the lead to inhibit movement of the lead distally relative to the elongate members to (ii) an open position in which the closest distance between the distal end portions of the first and second elongate members is greater than the outer diametric dimension of the proximal end portion of the lead, at or proximal the shoulder, to permit the lead to be distally moved relative to the elongate members; and wherein the distal end portions of the first and second elongate members are moveable from the engaged position to the open position by application of relative inward force on the proximal end portions of the first and second elongate members.