Sliding Lead Connector for Deep Brain Stimulation Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating-room cables for implantable electrical stimulation systems are often bulky and have complex retention mechanisms, making them difficult to use, especially in deep brain stimulation, and increasing patient discomfort and procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lead connector assembly with slidably coupled housing elements and spring-loaded connector contacts that facilitate rapid and secure connection of leads to the cable, reducing bulkiness and intricacy, suitable for deep brain stimulation applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional operating-room cables are used, then reliable electrical coupling is achieved, but the cable becomes bulky and complex with difficult-to-use retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate housing elements (first housing element and second housing element) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the connector to be opened by separating the housing elements, providing easy access to the connector port for lead insertion, and then closed by bringing them together to secure the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing elements are designed to be movable relative to each other along longitudinal rails, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic structure replaces static complex retention mechanisms with a simple sliding action that is easy to operate while maintaining secure connection when closed.
2Reliability
If conventional operating-room cables are used, then secure lead retention is achieved, but procedure time increases due to difficult connection
Solution Approach 1:
The lead retainer is pre-positioned within the connector port, and the connector contacts are pre-aligned within the housing elements. When the housing elements are closed, the lead is automatically retained and electrically connected without requiring additional manual adjustment or securing actions, thus reducing procedure time while maintaining connection security.
3Reliability
If conventional operating-room cables are used, then electrical coupling is maintained, but patient discomfort increases due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The connector contacts are nested within the housing elements, and the lead retainer is nested within the connector port. This nested structure allows all components to be compactly arranged within a small overall connector volume, reducing the bulkiness that causes patient discomfort while maintaining reliable electrical coupling through the nested connector contacts.
Data Source
AI summary
An operating-room-cable assembly includes a lead connector with a lead-connector housing for receiving a lead. The lead-connector housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element that slide relative to one another to transition the lead-connector housing between an open position and a closed position. A connector port is defined in the lead-connector housing and includes a first surface formed by the first housing element and a second surface formed by the second housing element. A lead retainer is disposed along the second surface and receives the lead when the lead-connector housing is in the open position. Connector contacts are disposed along the first surface. The connector contacts couple to terminals disposed along the lead when the lead is received by the lead retainer and the lead-connector housing is in the closed position. Operating-room-cable conductors are coupled to the connector contacts and extend along the elongated body.