Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
A connector for coupling an implantable lead having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts disposed on its proximal end to a multiple-conductor cable, said connector comprising: a first, substantially cylindrical connector half, adapted to be disposed at a first end of the multiple-conductor cable, said first connector half having a first longitudinal slot therein; a second, substantially cylindrical connector half, coaxially coupled to said first connector half and axially rotatable with respect to said first connector half from a first, open position to a second, closed position, said second connector half having a second longitudinal slot therein, said second longitudinal slot being aligned with said first longitudinal slot when said second connector half is rotated to said open position; a plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts disposed within said first connector half, each one of said plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to be electrically coupled to a conductor in said multiple-conductor cable, said plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts being exposed in said second slot when said second connector half is rotated to said open position; an end piece disposed in said first and second longitudinal slots when said second connector half is in said open position, said end piece being adapted to engage the proximal end of the lead such that the plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts are at least partially exposed, the connector being further adapted to permit said second connector half to be rotated into said closed position over said end piece, such that each one of the plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts is held in contact with a respective one of said plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts in the connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
A connector for coupling an implantable lead having a plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts disposed on its proximal end to a multiple-conductor cable, said connector comprising: a first, substantially cylindrical connector half, adapted to be disposed at a first end of the multiple-conductor cable, said first connector half having a first longitudinal slot therein; a second, substantially cylindrical connector half, coaxially coupled to said first connector half and axially rotatable with respect to said first connector half from a first, open position to a second, closed position, said second connector half having a second longitudinal slot therein, said second longitudinal slot being aligned with said first longitudinal slot when said second connector half is rotated to said open position; a plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts disposed within said first connector half, each one of said plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to be electrically coupled to a conductor in said multiple-conductor cable, said plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts being exposed in said second slot when said second connector half is rotated to said open position; an end piece disposed in said first and second longitudinal slots when said second connector half is in said open position, said end piece being adapted to engage the proximal end of the lead such that the plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts are at least partially exposed, the connector being further adapted to permit said second connector half to be rotated into said closed position over said end piece, such that each one of the plurality of spaced-apart electrical lead contacts is held in contact with a respective one of said plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts in the connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a lead stylet, coupled to said end piece such that said stylet extends into an axial lumen in said lead when said end piece engages said proximal end of said lead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said end piece is keyed with respect to said first and second longitudinal slots such that said end piece is permitted to be received in said first and second longitudinal slots in only one orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a locking means for releasably locking the connector in one of the open position and the closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A connector in accordance with claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves in one of said connector halves and at least one raised portion on the other of said connector halves, said at least one raised portion being located to mate with at least one of said grooves when the connector is in the open position and to mate with at least one of said grooves when the connector is in the closed position.