Implantable Electrode Universal Connector, Device and Injection Voltage Testing Device

Abstract

The present invention provides a universal connector for implanted electrodes, a device and an injection voltage testing device. The universal connector for implanted electrodes includes a plurality of conductive terminals. When a columnar implanted electrode is installed in the universal connector, some of the conductive terminals will contact the electrode contacts to achieve electrical connection. Since each conductive terminal is connected to a connecting wire, and the other end of the connecting wire is set as a free end, the tester can connect the connecting wires of all the conductive terminals connected to the same electrode contact to the same test channel to achieve the test of the electrode contact. Due to the different specifications of the columnar implanted electrodes, the conductive terminals that achieve electrical connection with the electrode contacts are also different. In order to achieve the universality of the connection of different specifications of implanted electrodes, the tester can adjust the connection of each connecting wire to the test channel according to the contact situation between the conductive terminal and the electrode contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of implantable medical instruments, and particularly to a universal connector for implant electrodes, a universal connection device for implant electrodes having the universal connector, and an injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of implantable nerve stimulators having the universal connection device. Background Art

[0002] For active implantable nerve stimulators, electromagnetic interference protection testing is required, especially for the testing of electromagnetic interference protection in the frequency range of 16.6 Hz - 80 MHz. Considering the influence of magnetic field and electric field coupling on the patient's leads, a whole machine test is needed (including not only the stimulator itself, but also lead parts such as extension leads and electrodes). The traditional method uses manual testing, which has low test efficiency and low accuracy.

[0003] To solve the problems of low test efficiency and low accuracy, Chinese patent document CN 209728070 U discloses an injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of implantable nerve stimulators, which realizes the whole machine test through the cooperation of an injection voltage test circuit board and a test fixture. However, this injection voltage test device can only test one specification of implant electrodes. If multiple specifications of implant electrodes need to be tested, multiple sets of different specifications of injection voltage test devices need to be customized, which is costly and has low test efficiency due to the need to switch equipment for test operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to overcome the defect that the injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of implantable nerve stimulators in the prior art can only test one specification of implant electrodes and has low test efficiency, so as to provide a universal connection structure, device and injection voltage test device for implant electrodes that can test different specifications of implant electrodes.

[0005] The technical solutions adopted by the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present invention provide a universal connector for implant electrodes, which is used in an injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of implantable nerve stimulators. The universal connector includes:

[0007] An outer frame;

[0008] A plurality of conductive terminals, distributed inside the outer frame, the arrangement of the plurality of conductive terminals matching the shape of the implant electrodes, adjacent two of the conductive terminals being isolated from each other, and some of the conductive terminals being in electrical connection with the electrode contacts of the implant electrodes after the implant electrodes are installed;

[0009] Multiple connecting wires, one end of each of the multiple connecting wires is respectively connected to each of the conductive terminals, and the other end is a free end, and the multiple free ends can be connected to the same injection voltage test channel.

[0010] Optionally, the multiple conductive terminals are evenly distributed on the inner side of the outer frame.

[0011] Optionally, the multiple terminals are arranged in a rectangular pattern.

[0012] Optionally, the other end of the connecting wire is provided as a movable connector.

[0013] In a second aspect, another embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable electrode universal connection structure, including:

[0014] The implantable electrode universal connector provided according to the embodiment of the first aspect of the invention;

[0015] A second plug end, including a plurality of first connection contacts, each of the first connection contacts communicates with a corresponding injection voltage test channel; the free ends of the connecting wires of all the conductive terminals connected to the same electrode contact are connected to the same first connection contact.

[0016] Optionally, all the conductive terminals not in contact with the electrode contact are grounded.

[0017] Optionally, the second plug end further includes a second connection contact, and the second connection contact is grounded; the free ends of the connecting wires of the conductive terminals not in contact with the electrode contact are connected to the second connection contact.

[0018] In a third aspect, another embodiment of the present invention provides an injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of an implantable nerve stimulator, which is characterized by including the implantable electrode universal connection structure provided according to the embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. The implantable electrode universal connector provided by the present invention realizes universal electrical connection with columnar implantable electrodes of different specifications. The contact pitches of columnar implantable electrodes of different specifications are different. The implantable electrode universal connector provided by the present invention includes a plurality of conductive terminals. When the columnar implantable electrode is installed in the universal connector, some conductive terminals will contact the electrode contacts to achieve electrical connection. Since each conductive terminal is connected to a connecting wire, and the other end of the connecting wire is set as a free end, through the implantable electrode universal connector provided by the present invention, the tester only needs to connect the connecting wires of all conductive terminals connected to the same electrode contact to the same test channel to achieve the test of this electrode contact. Due to the different specifications of the columnar implantable electrodes, the conductive terminals that achieve electrical connection with the electrode contacts are also different. In order to achieve the universality of the connection of implantable electrodes of different specifications, the tester can adjust the connection of each connecting wire to the test channel according to the contact situation between the conductive terminal and the electrode contact.

[0021] 2. The implantable electrode universal connector provided by the present invention enables the connecting wire to be conveniently connected to the plug end communicated with the injection voltage test channel by setting the other end of the connecting wire as a movable plug-in connector.

[0022] 3. The implantable electrode universal connection structure provided by the present invention includes a universal connector and a second plug end. The second plug end includes a plurality of first connection contacts, and each of the first connection contacts is communicated with a corresponding injection voltage test channel. The free ends of the connecting wires of all conductive terminals connected to the same electrode contact are connected to the same first connection contact. Through the above structure, the tester can conveniently connect the electrode contact to be tested to the injection voltage test channel, and can adjust the connection of each connecting wire to the first connection contact of the second plug end according to the contact situation between the conductive terminal and the electrode contact, realizing the universality of the connection of columnar implantable electrodes of different specifications.

[0023] 4. The implantable electrode universal connection structure provided by the present invention shields and isolates to reduce test interference by grounding all the conductive terminals that do not contact the electrode contacts. Further, the implantable electrode universal connection structure provided by the present invention further includes a second connection contact set to be grounded. By connecting all the conductive terminals that do not contact the electrode contacts to the second connection contact, the operation is more convenient. Description of the Drawings

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a general connection structure of an implantable electrode provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0027] 211 - General connector; 222 - Connection wire; 24 - Second plug end; 257 - Conductive terminal; 4 - Columnar implantable electrode; 41 - Electrode contact. Specific embodiments

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0031] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0032] Active implantable neurostimulators are required to undergo electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection testing, particularly for frequencies between 16.6Hz and 80MHz. This testing involves testing the entire device (including not only the stimulator itself but also extension leads, electrodes, and other components) to account for the effects of magnetic and electric field coupling on patient leads. Traditional manual testing methods are inefficient and inaccurate.

[0033] To address the issues of low testing efficiency and accuracy, the applicant applied for a utility model patent, with authorization publication number CN 209728070 U, entitled "Injection Voltage Test Device for Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing of Implantable Neurostimulators." This patent document discloses a set of automated test fixtures capable of testing the entire implantable neurostimulator. However, the technical solution disclosed in this patent document only performs electromagnetic compatibility testing on one specification of implanted electrodes. However, implanted electrodes used in neurostimulators come in a variety of specifications, such as columnar electrodes and directional electrodes. The contact spacing of columnar electrodes varies, including 1mm, 1.5mm, 4mm, and 6mm. To test these different specifications of implanted electrodes, the technical solution disclosed in this patent document requires the customization of multiple sets of test fixtures of varying specifications, which is costly. Furthermore, testing of electrodes of varying specifications requires switching between different test fixtures, reducing testing efficiency.

[0034] In order to solve the defect of low test efficiency caused by the prior art that only one specification of implanted electrodes can be tested, the embodiment of the present invention provides an implanted electrode universal connector 211, which is applied to the injection voltage test device of the electromagnetic compatibility test of the implanted neurostimulator. Figure 1 As shown, the universal connector 211 includes: an outer frame, a plurality of conductive terminals 257 and a plurality of connecting wires 222.

[0035] The outer frame plays a role of fixing and supporting. The overall shape of the outer frame is generally rectangular, which is adapted to the shape of the columnar implant electrode 4.

[0036] Multiple wire terminals are arranged inside the outer frame, preferably evenly distributed inside the outer frame, but in other embodiments, they can also be arranged in a non-uniform state. The arrangement of the multiple wire terminals matches the shape of the columnar implant electrode, preferably rectangular, but other shapes are not excluded. The multiple conductive terminals 257 are evenly distributed inside the outer frame. Adjacent two of the conductive terminals 257 are isolated from each other, and the means to achieve isolation is to maintain a minimum spacing distance or use an insulating material to fill the gap between the conductive terminals. When the columnar implant electrode is installed into the universal connector of the embodiment of the present invention, some of the conductive terminals 257 will be in electrical connection with the electrode contacts 41 of the implant electrode after the implant electrode is installed. In order to test columnar implant electrodes of different specifications, each conductive terminal 257 needs to be electrically connected to a connection wire 222.

[0037] Multiple connection wires 222, corresponding to the multiple conductive terminals 257, one end of each connection wire 222 is connected to a different conductive terminal 257, and the other end of the connection wire 222 is a free end. The multiple free ends can be connected to the same injection voltage test channel. In the embodiment of the present invention, the free end is preferably set as a movable connector that is convenient for plugging and mating with the first connection contact of the second plug 24 in the injection voltage test device, such as a pin, an aviation plug, etc.

[0038] Through the implant electrode universal connector 211 provided by the embodiment of the present invention, universal electrical connection with columnar implant electrodes of different specifications is achieved. The 4-contact spacings of columnar implant electrodes of different specifications are different. The implant electrode universal connector provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes multiple conductive terminals 257. When the columnar implant electrode is installed into the universal connector, some of the conductive terminals 257 will be in electrical connection with the electrode contacts 41. Since each conductive terminal 257 is connected to a connection wire 222, and the other end of the connection wire 222 is set as a free end, through the implant electrode universal connector provided by the present invention, the tester only needs to connect the connection wires 222 of all the conductive terminals 257 connected to the same electrode contact 41 to the same test channel to achieve the test of the electrode contact 41. Due to the different specifications of the columnar implant electrode 4, the conductive terminals 257 that are in electrical connection with the electrode contacts 41 are also different. In order to achieve the universality of the connection of implant electrodes of different specifications, the tester can adjust the connection of each connection wire 222 to the test channel according to the contact situation between the conductive terminal 257 and the electrode contact 41.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an implant electrode universal connection structure, including the universal connector of the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention and the second plug 24. Among them,

[0040] The second plug end 24 includes a plurality of first connection contacts, and each of the first connection contacts communicates with a corresponding injection voltage test channel. For details, reference can be made to the specification of Chinese Patent Document CN 209728070 U. In the embodiment of the present invention, each connection contact of the second plug end 24 can be simultaneously connected to the free ends of a plurality of connection wires 222. Preferably, each connection contact can be plugged and mated with the movable connectors of a plurality of connection wires 222 and achieve electrical connection.

[0041] When the columnar implantable electrode is installed in the universal connection structure, some of the conductive terminals 257 will contact the electrode contact 41 to achieve electrical connection. Connect the connection wires 222 of all the conductive terminals 257 connected to the same electrode contact 41 to the same first connection contact, so as to be connected to the same test channel; the second plug end 24 further includes a second connection contact, and the second connection contact is grounded; in order to achieve the purpose of shielding and isolating to reduce test interference, connect the free ends of the connection wires 222 of the conductive terminals 257 that do not contact the electrode contact 41 to the second connection contact.

[0042] As a variation of grounding the conductive terminals 257 that do not contact the electrode contact 41, in other embodiments of the present invention, all the conductive terminals 257 that do not contact the electrode contact 41 are grounded to achieve the purpose of shielding and isolating to reduce test interference.

[0043] Due to the different specifications of the implantable electrodes, the conductive terminals 257 that are electrically connected to the electrode contact 41 are also different. In order to achieve the universality of the connection of implantable electrodes with different specifications, this structure can adjust the connection of each connection wire 222 with the second plug end 24 according to the contact situation between the conductive terminal 257 and the electrode contact 41.

[0044] Another embodiment of the present invention further provides an injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of an implantable nerve stimulator, including the universal connection structure of the implantable electrode in the above embodiment. For the remaining structures, reference can be made to the specification of Chinese Patent Document CN209728070 U, which will not be elaborated here.

[0045] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples given for clear illustration and are not limitations on the implementation manners. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or variations can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all the implementation manners here. And the obvious changes or variations derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A general connector for implanted electrodes, characterized in that In the injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of an implantable nerve stimulator, the implant electrode includes columnar implant electrodes or directional electrodes of different specifications; The general connector includes: An outer frame; A plurality of conductive terminals (257), the plurality of conductive terminals (257) are evenly distributed inside the outer frame, the arrangement of the plurality of conductive terminals (257) matches the shape of columnar implant electrodes or directional electrodes of different specifications, adjacent two of the conductive terminals (257) are isolated from each other, and some of the conductive terminals (257) are in contact with the electrode contacts (41) of the columnar implant electrodes or directional electrodes of different specifications after installation to achieve electrical connection; A plurality of connecting wires (222), each conductive terminal (257) is connected with a connecting wire (222), the other end of the connecting wire (222) is a free end, and during use, the connecting wires of all the conductive terminals (257) connected to the same electrode contact are connected to the same injection voltage test channel.

2. The implantable electrode general connector according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of terminals are arranged in a rectangular shape.

3. The implantable electrode universal connector according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that The other end of the connecting wire (222) is provided with a movable connector.

4. A general connection structure for implanted electrodes, characterized in that, Includes: The implant electrode general connector according to any one of claims 1-3; A second plug end (24), including a plurality of first connection contacts, each of the first connection contacts communicates with a corresponding injection voltage test channel; the free ends of the connecting wires (222) of all the conductive terminals (257) connected to the same electrode contact (41) are connected to the same first connection contact.

5. The implantable electrode universal connection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that All the conductive terminals (257) not in contact with the electrode contact (41) are grounded.

6. The general connecting structure of the implanted electrode according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The second plug end (24) further includes a second connection contact, the second connection contact is grounded; the free ends of the connecting wires (222) of the conductive terminals (257) not in contact with the electrode contact (41) are connected to the second connection contact.

7. An injection voltage test device for electromagnetic compatibility testing of an implantable nerve stimulator, characterized in that, Includes the implant electrode general connection structure according to any one of claims 4-6.

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