Implantable tissue stimulator

Claim 2

In a cardiac pacer, the combination of: a body stimulating electrode; an electrical contact element; an elongated flexible insulated conductor having one end connected to said electrode and a second end connected to said contact element, said contact element being mounted in a surrounding plug member of flexible insulating material; a pair of spaced parallel cylindrical apertures formed in said plug member, one of said apertures communicating with said contact element; a metal housing having a first terminal inside said housing and a second terminal outside said housing; a pair of metal posts mounted on and protruding from said housing, said posts extending into and closing said apertures; an insulated lead through one of said posts from said first terminal to said second terminal, said second terminal engaging said contact element; and a pulse generating circuit located in said housing and having an output circuit connected between said housing and said first terminal.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means forming a threaded recess in said housing; and screw means cooperating with said recess and securing said plug member to said housing.

Claim 4

A cardiac pacer, comprising: a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material; a pair of spaced apertures formed in said body and extending from one side thereof along parallel axes from said side to terminations within said body member; an electrical contact element mounted in said body and communicating with one of said apertures; an electrode; an elongated flexible conductor having one end electrically connected to said contact element and a second end connected to said electrode; insulating means mounted on said flexible conductor; a metal housing having a first terminal inside said housing and a second terminal outside said housing; a pair of metal posts mounted on and protruding from said housing extending into and closing said apertures; an insulated lead extending through one of said posts from said first terminal to said second terminal, said second terminal engaging said contact element; and a pulse generating circuit located in said housing and having an output circuit connected between said housing and said first terminal.

Claim 5

A cardiac pacer, comprising: a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material; a pair of spaced apertures formed in said body and extending from one side thereof along parallel axes from said side to terminations within said body member; an electrical contact element mounted in said body and communicating with one of said apertures; an electrode; an elongated flexible conductor having one end electrically connected to said contact element and a second end connected to said electrode; insulating means mounted on said flexible conductor; a metal housing having a first terminal inside said housing and a second terminal outside said housing; a pair of metal posts mounted on and protruding from said housing extending into and closing said apertures; an insulated lead extending through one of said posts from said first terminal to said second terminal, said second terminal engaging said contact element; and a pulse generating circuit located in said housing and having an output circuit connected between said housing and said first terminal.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, in which said flexible conductor comprises a tubiform metal helix forming a flexible passageway closed at the electrode end by said electrode, and further comprising means forming a mating passageway through said body member, whereby a stiffener can be passed into said flexible conductor to facilitate insertion of the electrode in a body sinus.

Claim 7

A cardiac pacer, comprising: a conductive metal housing having a generally plane side; a pulse generating circuit mounted in said housing and having a first output terminal connected to said housing and a second output terminal extending through and insulated from said housing; a pair of spaced mounting posts formed on said side and projecting from said housing, said second output terminal extending through one of said posts; a flexible probe assembly comprising an exposed electrode adapted to be placed in proximity to and in electrical contact with cardiac tissue to be stimulated; a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material having at least one generally plane side; a pair of spaced, cylindrical apertures formed in said body for receiving said posts and extending along parallel axes from said plane side to terminations within said body member; an eLectrical contact element mounted in said body, communicating with one of said apertures, and connected to said second output terminal; and an elongated flexible insulated cable connecting said electrode to said electrical contact element.

Claim 8

A cardiac pacer, comprising: a conductive metal housing having a generally plane side; a pulse generating circuit mounted in said housing and having a first output terminal connected to said housing and a second output terminal extending through and insulated from said housing; a pair of spaced mounting posts formed on said side and projecting from said housing, said second output terminal extending through one of said posts; a flexible probe assembly comprising an exposed electrode adapted to be placed in proximity to and in electrical contact with cardiac tissue to be stimulated; a connector plug comprising a body member of flexible insulating material having at least one generally plane side; a pair of spaced, cylindrical apertures formed in said body for receiving said posts and extending along parallel axes from said plane side to terminations within said body member; an eLectrical contact element mounted in said body, communicating with one of said apertures, and connected to said second output terminal; and an elongated flexible insulated cable connecting said electrode to said electrical contact element.