Terminal connector assembly for a medical device and method therefor

Abstract

A connector assembly of an electrophysiologial device. The connector assembly includes a substrate forming a tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end an electrical circuit formed on the substrate, such as etching or printing, where the substrate is optionally non-conductive. In another option, the connector assembly includes clad wires and/or flexible circuits within an insulated terminal structure.

1 . A terminal assembly for a medical device, the terminal assembly comprising: 
 an insulative elongate tube having an outer periphery and a longitudinal axis;    at least three conductors disposed along the elongate tube;    at least three conductive ring members having an internal surface, each ring disposed over the elongate tube;    a conductive member electrically coupling each conductive ring member with its respective conductor;    a terminal pin extending from a pin proximal end to a pin distal end, the terminal pin disposed within the insulative elongate tube; and    insulative material disposed over the insulative elongate tube adjacent to the conductive ring members.    
   
   
       2 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each ring member has at least one projection extending from the internal surface, the insulative elongate tube having a plurality of grooves within the tube, each projection disposed in its respective groove.  
   
   
       3 . The terminal assembly in  claim 2 , wherein an outer diameter of a portion of the insulated conductors are greater than a width of the grooves.  
   
   
       4 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a lead body mechanically coupled with the terminal pin, the lead body including electrodes disposed therealong, wherein the at least three conductors extend continuously from the conductive ring members to the electrodes.  
   
   
       5 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the conductive member is a feed-through terminal.  
   
   
       6 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rings have an insulated portion and a conductive portion.  
   
   
       7 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least three conductors are printed along the elongate tube.  
   
   
       8 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the terminal pin is snap fittedly coupled with the insulative elongate tube.  
   
   
       9 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least three conductors are insulated conductors, and the insulated conductors are electrically coupled with respective conductive ring members.  
   
   
       10 . A method comprising: 
 forming a terminal assembly including disposing one or more conductors along an outer periphery of an insulative elongate tube having a longitudinal axis;    disposing one or more conductors along tube includes printing a conductive path on the elongate tube;    placing at least one conductive ring member having an internal surface over the outer periphery of the insulative elongate tube;    electrically coupling each conductive ring member with a respective conductive path;    disposing a terminal pin within the insulative elongate tube; and    disposing insulative material over the insulative elongate tube adjacent to the conductive ring member.    
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising disposing multiple conductive ring members over the tube, and electrically isolating each ring from each other.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein printing the conductive path includes etching the conductive path on the elongate tube.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising snap-fittedly coupling the terminal pin with the elongate tube.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising providing the rings with an insulated portion and a conductive portion.  
   
   
       15 . A terminal assembly comprising: 
 an insulative elongate tube having one or more conductors printed thereon;    at least one conductive ring member having an internal surface; and    the at least one conductive ring member disposed over the insulative elongate tube, the at least one conductive ring electrically coupled with the one or more conductors.    
   
   
       16 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a terminal pin disposed within insulative elongate tube.  
   
   
       17 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising insulative material disposed over insulative elongate tube adjacent to the conductive ring member.  
   
   
       18 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a feed-through coupled between the ring and the conductor.  
   
   
       19 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the terminal pin is snap fittedly coupled with the insulative elongate tube.  
   
   
       20 . The terminal assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein at least three conductive rings are disposed over the insulative elongate tube.