Method and apparatus for a two-way torque limited wrench

Abstract

One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system ( 700 ) which includes a device ( 701 ) including a first body ( 702 ) which is hermetically sealed, a first terminal ( 706 ) coupled to the first body, a second body ( 704 ) which is part of the device and which is hermetically sealed, a second terminal ( 708 ) coupled to the second body, a threaded fastener ( 712 ) coupling the first terminal and the second terminal and a torque wrench ( 716 ) matable to the threaded fastener, the torque wrench including a tightening clutch ( 604 ) and a loosening clutch ( 608 ), the tightening clutch adapted to slip at a first torque, the loosening clutch adapted to slip at a second torque other than the first torque. A method of storing an implantable device ( 701 ) is also subject mater.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A system, comprising:
 a. a device including a first body which is hermetically sealed;   b. a first terminal coupled to the first body;   c. a second body which is part of the device and which is hermetically sealed;   d. a second terminal coupled to the second body;   e. a threaded fastener coupling the first terminal and the second terminal; and   f. a torque wrench matable to the threaded fastener, the torque wrench including a tightening clutch and a loosening clutch, the tightening clutch adapted to slip at a first torque, the loosening clutch adapted to slip at a second torque other than the first torque.   
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising a wrench that is mateable to the threaded fastener and that does not include a clutch. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the torque wrench includes a regular hexagonal driver. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the second body includes a lead. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first torque is around 15 inch pounds and the second torque is around 22 inch pounds. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the tightening clutch and the loosening clutch do not include a lubricant. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the torque wrench includes plastic, with the tightening clutch and the loosening clutch both being plastic. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein torque wrench includes a driver which includes a stress riser. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the stress riser is adapted to fail at a torque which is greater than the first torque and the second torque. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first body includes a case including pulse generation electronics. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the pulse generation electronics include pacemaker electronics. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the pulse generation electronics include defibrillation electronics. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first terminal includes a female recess and the second terminal includes a male terminal. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the fastener has an at least partially threaded body and a flanged head adapted to mate with the torque wrench, the fastener disposed at least part of the way in the female recess, the flange having a diameter which is larger than a diameter of an at least partially threaded recess adapted to receive the fastener, and further comprising a flexible septum coupled to the first body and covering the at least partially threaded recess, the flexible septum having an opening sized for passage of the torque wrench. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the opening includes a slit. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible septum includes silicone. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the first terminal includes a flexible septum coupled to the first body and covering the at least partially threaded recess, the flexible septum having an opening sized for passage of the torque wrench,
 a. wherein in a first mode of operation, the male terminal is clamped between the first body and the fastener, with the opening closed and sealed, and in a second mode of operation, the male terminal is not clamped between the first body and the fastener, and while in the second mode of operation, the flange abuts the flexible septum such that the opening is open and unsealed.   
   
   
       43 . A method, comprising:
 a. coupling a female terminal and a male terminal to connect an implantable lead to a body of an implantable device;   b. pinching the male terminal against a surface of the body which is inside a recess defined by the female terminal by torquing, with a torque wrench, a fastener to a first torque; and   c. unpinching the male terminal by untorquing the fastener at a second torque, other than the first torque, which is less than a torque large enough to cause inelastic deformation of the torque wrench.   
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising delivering electrical pulses from the implantable device to an electrode of the implantable lead over a conduction path through the male terminal and the female terminal. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising untorquing the fastener with a second wrench at a torque which is greater than the second torque. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising scoring a driver of the torque wrench to define a stress riser. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising inserting a driver of the torque wrench through a flexible septum coupled to the body and covering an at least partially threaded recess in which the fastener is disposed, the flexible septum having an opening sized for passage of the driver. 
   
   
       48 . A system, including:
 a. a device including a first body which is hermetically sealed;   b. a first terminal coupled to the first body;   c. a second body which is part of the device and which is hermetically sealed;   d. a second terminal coupled to the second body;   e. means for removably coupling the first terminal and the second terminal by applying a torque; and   f. means for torquing at a first torque, and untorquing at a second torque other than the first torque, the means for removably coupling the first terminal and the second terminal by applying a torque.   
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the means for removably coupling the first terminal and the second terminal by applying a torque include a threaded fastener. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the means for torquing at a first torque, and untorquing at a second torque other than the first torque, the means for removably coupling the first terminal and the second terminal by applying a torque include a torque wrench including a tightening clutch and a loosening clutch, the tightening clutch adapted to slip at a first torque, the loosening clutch adapted to slip at a second torque other than the first torque.