Intraoperative Lead Connector Assembly for One-Handed Lead Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lead connectors for implantable electrical stimulation systems are bulky, difficult to operate, and often require two hands, making it challenging to load and secure leads during surgical procedures, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors in the implantation process.
Innovation Solution
The development of an operating room cable assembly with various lead connector designs, including button-activated, slider-based, lever-operated, and door-swinging mechanisms, that allow for easy and secure coupling of leads to a trial stimulator, featuring spring-loaded mechanisms for retention and alignment of leads within the connector channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional lead connectors are used, then leads can be secured to the trial stimulator, but the connectors are bulky and difficult to operate requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The lead connector is divided into separate functional components: a connector body housing, a movable button mechanism, spring elements, and lead retention features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining secure lead retention
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates a dynamic button mechanism that moves between engaged and disengaged positions. The button is biased by springs to automatically return to its engaged position after lead insertion, providing automatic lead retention without requiring complex manual operation or two hands
2Reliability
If conventional lead connectors are used, then leads can be retained in the connector, but the connectors are bulky in size
Solution Approach 1:
The lead retention features, spring elements, and button mechanism are nested within a compact connector body housing. The button and spring assembly is contained within the housing, allowing the connector to maintain secure lead retention while minimizing overall volume and avoiding bulky external structures
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic button mechanism provides reliable lead retention through automatic engagement and disengagement. The spring-biased button ensures consistent retention force without requiring oversized mechanical structures, achieving secure retention in a compact form factor
3Productivity
If conventional lead connectors are used, then leads can be connected to the trial stimulator, but the loading process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The button mechanism is pre-positioned in an engaged state by spring bias, ready to immediately secure the lead upon insertion. The connector is prepared in advance with the retention mechanism already active, eliminating the need for additional securing steps and reducing loading time and errors
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased button mechanism automatically engages and secures the lead without requiring additional manual intervention. After lead insertion, the button self-actuates to the engaged position, providing automatic lead retention and reducing the risk of operator error while improving loading efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These designs enhance the ease of use and efficiency in loading and securing leads, reducing the risk of errors and improving the overall surgical workflow by providing a secure and efficient method for connecting leads to the trial stimulator, even with one hand, and ensuring proper alignment and retention of leads.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring disposed within the connector body and biasing the at least one button outwards from the connector body
Implementation Method 2
when the at least one button is released the at least one spring biases the at least one button outward to hold the at least one electrical stimulation lead or lead extension within the lead connector
Data Source
AI summary
An operating room cable assembly for electrically coupling at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead to a trial stimulator includes an elongated body; a trial stimulator connector disposed at one end of the elongated body; and a lead connector disposed at another end of the elongated body. The lead connector can include one or more buttons that can be pushed to load a lead into the lead connector and released to retain the lead. Alternatively, the lead connector can include a lever that can be operated to load the lead. A further alternative is a slider with a lead engagement element that can be slid between positions allowing loading of a lead and engagement of the lead. Other alternatives include a lead connector with doors that can swing open to allow loading of a lead or a collet/sleeve that can be tightened on the lead.