Multiaxial connector for implantable devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016181730-A1
Application number	US-201514876554-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 6, 2015
Priority date	Oct 6, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A multiaxial connector for connecting a first implanted device to a second implanted device, comprising:
a female driveline cable-side connector, including:
a lumen;
a platinum iridium tuning fork-shaped connector disposed in the lumen;
an o-ring surrounding an interior wall of the lumen;
a first cantilevered tactile feedback element;
a male device-side connector, including:
a platinum iridium electrical pin configured to be inserted into the platinum iridium tuning fork-shaped connector to make an electrical connection therebetween;
a ceramic sheath covering a portion of the platinum iridium electrical pin, the ceramic sheath configure to provide electrical isolation for the platinum iridium pin, the ceramic sheath further being configured to engage the o-ring to prevent fluid from interrupting the electrical connection;
a second cantilevered tactile feedback element configured to engage the first cantilevered tactile feedback element so as to provide a user with a tactile response when the electrical connection is made;
a locking mechanism configured to secure the female driveline cable-side connector to the male device-side connector.

2 . The multiaxial connector of claim 1 , wherein the first implanted device comprises a LVAD pump.

3 . The multiaxial connector of claim 1 , wherein the second implanted device comprises a wireless power receiver.

4 . The multiaxial connector of claim 1 , wherein the male device-side connector further comprises a pump boss configured to provide an environmentally sealed housing for the platinum iridium electrical pin.

5 . A device-side connector for connecting a first implanted device to a second device with a multi-axial connector, comprising:
a fccd-through assembly configured to provide an electrical connection between the first implanted device and the multi-axial connector, the feed-through assembly comprising three male electrical connectors arranged in a triangular pattern that are configured to be inserted into a corresponding electrical connection of the multi-axial connector at various different angles without the need for a keying feature to guide alignment of the feed-through assembly with the multi-axial connector; a pump boss configured to provide an environmentally sealed housing for the feed-through assembly; and an alignment housing configured align the feed-through assembly with a corresponding electrical connection of the multi-axial connector.

6 . The device-side connector of claim 5 , wherein the pump boss assembly further comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure the multi-axial connector to the pump boss to prevent accidental disconnections.

7 . The device-side connector of claim 5 , wherein the three male electrical connectors comprise platinum iridium.

8 . The device-side connector of claim 5 , wherein the three male electrical connectors are each surrounded by a ceramic material to provide isolation between adjacent electrical connectors.

9 . The device-side connector of claim 5 , wherein the alignment housing comprises one or more tactile feedback elements configured to provide tactile feedback to a user when the multi-axial connector is inserted into the pump boss.

10 . A driveline-side connector of a multi-axial connector for connecting a first implanted device to a second device, comprising:
three female electrical connectors arranged in a triangular pattern; and a fork-shaped connector disposed inside each of the female electrical connectors, each fork-shaped connector comprising a plurality of tines that include a bump disposed on an inner portion of a distal end of the plurality of tines, the bumps being adapted to provide an improved electrical contact point between the fork-shaped connector and a corresponding male electrical connector of the first implanted device.

11 . The driveline-side connector of claim 10 , further comprising a tactile feedback element configured to provide a user with a tactile feel when the driveline-side connector is inserted into the first implanted device.

12 . The driveline-side connector of claim 11 , wherein the tactile feedback element is cantilevered.

13 . The driveline-side connector of claim 10 , further comprising alignment features configured to give a user a visual cue for aligning the driveline-side connector with a corresponding device-side connector.

14 . The driveline-side connector of claim 10 , wherein the alignment features are selected from the group consisting of bumps, detents, or protrusions along a distal portion of the driveline cable-side connector.

15 . The driveline-side connector of claim 10 , wherein the tactile feedback element comprises a bump configured to interact with a corresponding bump on the first implanted device.

16 . The device-side connector of claim 10 , wherein the fork-shaped connectors comprise platinum iridium.

Assignees

• Thoratec Corp

Inventors

• Eldridge David
• Stark Iii Joseph C
• Macdonell Andrew
• Kramer Scott
• Kilavos Thomas George
• Franco Fabian Frigon

Classifications

• H01R13/639

  Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} · CPC title

• H01R13/521

  Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert · CPC title

• H01R13/641

  by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement · CPC title

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• H01R2201/12

  for medicine and surgery · CPC title