Toolless Latching Connector for Stimulation Leads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable electrical stimulation systems face challenges in securely latching and unlatching stimulation leads, which can lead to damage and inefficiency in therapeutic applications.
Innovation Solution
An electrical stimulation lead latching kit with a connector housing and a latching pin system that includes a handle and an attaching element, allowing for secure latching and easy detachment of leads, utilizing a latching pin with a longitudinal surface that engages the lead to compress and secure it within the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latching mechanism is used for stimulation leads, then the lead connection is secure, but the unlatching process requires tools and may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is segmented into a latching pin, a handle, and a frangible attaching element. The latching pin is separated from the handle through the frangible attaching element, allowing the pin to be inserted and secured while the handle remains external for operational control. This segmentation enables toolless operation while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible attaching element is designed as a disposable component that breaks away after use. This allows the latching pin to be easily separated from the handle during detachment without requiring tools, and the frangible portion is discarded after serving its purpose of securing the lead during insertion.
2Reliability
If a secure latching mechanism is implemented, then lead connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching pin and handle are temporarily merged through the frangible attaching element during insertion, providing secure connection. During detachment, they are easily separated by breaking the frangible element. This merging approach achieves secure connection without requiring complex permanent attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible attaching element automatically breaks away when the latching pin is inserted into the connector housing, eliminating the need for tools or complex operational steps. The mechanism serves itself by using the insertion force to break the frangible element and complete the latching action.
3Ease of operation
If a toolless latching system is used, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible attaching element is designed with specific dimensional parameters that allow it to break at a predetermined location. By carefully controlling the thickness and material properties of the frangible portion, the system achieves reliable breakaway behavior without requiring high-precision manufacturing throughout the entire latching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible attaching element is pre-positioned and pre-configured during manufacturing to break at a specific location. This preliminary action ensures that during operation, the breakaway occurs predictably without requiring complex real-time adjustments or high-precision manufacturing of the entire assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical stimulation lead latching kit includes a connector having a housing that defines a lead lumen and a latching lumen that at least partially intersects the lead lumen; and a latching device including a latching pin, a handle, and an attaching element that attaches the latching pin to the handle. The latching pin has a longitudinal surface and is configured for insertion into the latching lumen, and the attaching element is configured to enable the latching pin to detach from the handle when the latching pin is in the latching lumen. When the latching pin is positioned in the latching lumen and a portion of an electrical stimulation lead or lead extension is positioned in the lead lumen, the longitudinal surface of the latching pin engages the electrical stimulation lead or lead extension to latch the electrical stimulation lead or lead extension to the connector.