Systems and methods for making and using connector contact arrays for electrical stimulation systems
View Patent ↗A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body; a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension; a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails; contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings; and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.
1. A connector for an implantable electrical medical device, the connector comprising:
an elongated connector body having a first end and an opposing second end;
a connector lumen defined in the connector body, the connector lumen configured and arranged to receive a lead or lead extension;
a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and comprising at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and a plurality of pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails, wherein each pair of contact holders comprises two opposing contact holders;
a plurality of contacts, wherein each contact is disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders; and
a plurality of connector conductors coupled to the plurality of contacts.
2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the carrier further comprises a retainer element coupled to the at least two rails.
3. The connector of claim 2 , wherein the carrier further comprises a stop element coupled to the at least two rails opposite the retainer element.
4. The connector of claim 3 , wherein one of the pair of contact holders is coupled to either the retainer element or the stop element.
5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the carrier defines openings between adjacent pairs of contact holders, the connector further comprising a non-conductive spacer disposed in each of the openings.
6. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a tapered snout coupled to the first end of the connector body.
7. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the tapered snout defines a lumen extending to the connector lumen and a plurality of ridged features disposed within the lumen and configured and arranged to form a seal when the lead or lead extension is received by the connector lumen.