Patent ID: 7647111

Claim:
A connector assembly for detachably coupling a proximal end of a lead and an implantable medical device, comprising: a deflectable substantially U-shaped connector clip including a first deflectable arm with a free end, a second deflectable arm with a free end, and a top portion extending between the first arm and the second arm, the first arm and the second arm detachably positioning the proximal end of the lead within the implantable medical device; a housing portion forming a connector block having a front end with a connector port and having a longitudinal channel extending along a central axis within the housing portion to receive the proximal end of a lead, the connector block further having a connector clip aperture to provide side access to the channel and receive the U-shaped connector clip with the free ends of the arms extending perpendicular to the central axis as the connector clip is positioned within the channel via the connector clip aperture; and a first deflection portion spanning across the connector clip aperture, the first deflection portion fitting between free ends of the first arm and the second arm upon insertion of the connector clip within the connector clip aperture, the first deflection portion causing the connector clip to deflect from a non-biased first position prior to insertion corresponding to a first distance between the first arm and the second arm, upon insertion of the connector clip into the connector clip aperture, to a second position corresponding to a second distance, greater than the first distance, between the first arm and the second arm, wherein the proximal end of the lead further deflects the connector clip from the second position to a third position, corresponding to a third distance between the first arm and the second arm greater than the second distance, the connector clip detachably engaging and electrically coupling the proximal end of the lead to the implantable medical device as the proximal end of the lead is inserted within the channel via the connector port.