Method of making percutaneous connector for multi-conductor electrical cables

US5604976A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• PI Medical, Inc. · US
• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• John J. Stobie · Portland, US
• Edward M. Schmidt · Forest Hill, US
• Martin J. Bak · Potomac, US
• Scott S. Corbett, III · Portland, US
• Thomas R. Clary · Issaquah, US
• David J. Edell · Lexington, US
• Fredrick T. Hambrecht · Rockville, US
• William J. Heetderks · Silver Spring, US
• Conrad V. Kufta · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 1994
• Grant date: Feb 25, 1997
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49179
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A biologically implantable percutaneous connector for providing optionally separable interconnection of a large number of small electrical conductors of an externally located electrical cable includes a mating face incorporating an array of exposed end surfaces of tiny conductive rods sealed in a supporting matrix of dielectric material which is supported in a connector body. Elastomeric anisotropic connector material is located between corresponding arrays of contacts to provide for repeated reliable electrical connection and disconnection. External surfaces of the implantable body of the percutaneous connector are coated with a bioactive material promoting integration of surrounding tissue into the surfaces of the implanted percutaneous connector. A contact block including the mating face and a terminal face to which the conductors of a cable are individually connected is made by shaping an array of conductive rods and supporting dielectric material to form a smooth surface including dielectric matrix material and the ends of the electrically conductive rods.