Connector enclosure assemblies of medical devices including an angled lead passageway

Abstract

Connector enclosure assemblies for medical devices provide an angled lead passageway. The lead passageway which is defined by electrical connectors and intervening seals within the connector enclosure assembly establishes the angle relative to a base plane of the connector enclosure assembly. Various other aspects may be included in conjunction with the angled lead passageway, including an angled housing of the connector enclosure assembly, feedthrough pins that extend to the electrical connectors where the feedthrough pins may include angled sections, and a set screw passageway set at an angle relative to the lead passageway to provide fixation of a lead within the lead passageway.

1 . An implantable medical device to receive an implantable medical lead, the implantable medical lead having a lead body with a distal end having an electrode and proximal end having an electrical contact of an electrical conductor in electrical connection with the electrode, the lead body having an electromagnetic shield in electrical connection with a connector at the proximal end, the implantable medical device comprising:
 a housing having an electrical ground, a lead passageway to receive the proximal end, and a set screw passageway intersecting the lead passageway; and   a set screw disposed at least partially within the set screw passageway, the set screw to be tightened against the connector at the proximal end and hold the implantable medical lead in position within the lead passageway, the set screw forming an electrical connection between the electrical ground and the connector to electrically ground the electromagnetic shield.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  including electrical circuitry disposed within the housing, the electrical circuitry including an electrical ground connection in electrical communication with the electrical ground. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 3  wherein the proximal end includes a plurality of electrical contacts electrically coupled to a plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the housing is formed of a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4  wherein the set screw passageway includes threaded cylindrical walls. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 5  wherein the set screw passageway includes a set screw block having threaded cylindrical walls to receive the set screw. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the set screw is exposed to a patient receiving the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the set screw is not covered by a grommet. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the set screw is in electrical connection with the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the lead passageway includes an opening in the housing, and the set screw passageway is disposed proximate the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 10  wherein the proximal end includes the electrical contact proximal to the connector. 
     
     
         12 . An implantable medical system, comprising:
 an implantable medical lead, the implantable medical lead having a lead body with a distal end having an electrode and proximal end having an electrical contact of an electrical conductor in electrical connection with the electrode, the lead body having an electromagnetic shield in electrical connection with a connector at the proximal end; and   an implantable medical device to receive the implantable medical lead, the implantable medical lead comprising:
 a housing having an electrical ground, a lead passageway to receive the proximal end, and a set screw passageway intersecting the lead passageway; and 
 a set screw disposed at least partially within the set screw passageway to be tightened against the connector at the proximal end and hold the implantable medical lead in position within the lead passageway, the set screw forming an electrical connection between the electrical ground and the connector to electrically ground the electromagnetic shield. 
   
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical system of  claim 12  wherein the housing includes a can and a connector enclosure assembly, the connector enclosure assembly comprising the lead passageway and the set screw passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical system of  claim 13  wherein the can encloses electrical circuitry. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical circuitry includes a ground connection electrically connected to the electrical ground. 
     
     
         16 . An implantable medical device to receive an implantable medical lead, the implantable medical lead having a lead body with a distal end having an electrode and proximal end having an electrical contact of an electrical conductor in electrical connection with the electrode, the lead body having an electromagnetic shield in electrical connection with a connector at the proximal end, the implantable medical device comprising:
 a housing having an electrical ground, a lead passageway to receive the proximal end, and a set screw passageway intersecting the lead passageway; and   a set screw disposed at least partially within the set screw passageway, the set screw to be tightened against the connector at the proximal end and hold the implantable medical lead in position within the lead passageway to maintain an electrical connection between the electrical ground and the connector to electrically ground the electromagnetic shield.   
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device of  claim 16  wherein the electrical connection between the electrical ground and the connector includes the set screw. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device of  claim 17  wherein the set screw is metal. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device of  claim 16  wherein the proximal end includes a datum to contact the housing and control a depth of the implantable medical lead into the lead passageway. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device of  claim 19  wherein the set screw is operable without a grommet.