Hermetically sealed feedthrough connector using shape memory alloy for implantable medical device
US6498952B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3752
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A feedthrough connector for an implantable medical device includes a hermetically sealed housing containing an electrical circuit and a tubular barrel with an open end and a closed end defining a tubular channel that protrudes into the sealed housing while maintaining the seal of the housing. The inside of the tubular channel is open to the outside of the sealed housing through the open end and the tubular barrel also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending between an outer peripheral surface and the tubular channel. An electrical contact assembly electrically in common with the electrical circuit within the housing serves to make electrical contact with an electrical lead axially inserted into the open end of the tubular channel. The electrical contact assembly includes a plurality of contact members received in and projecting radially through a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and a sleeve member of shape memory alloy freely overlies the contact members when in a first deformed-shape configuration but engage the contact members and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular barrel when in a second memory-shaped configuration, urging the conta…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.