Peel-away is-4/DF-4 lead implant tool with electrical contacts

摘要

A peel-away lead implant tool is described. The peel away lead implant tool is adapted to be disposed over the terminal connector of a lead during an implantation procedure to protect the terminal connector. The peel-away lead implant tool includes a flexible polymer sheath including electrical contacts formed in a contact region of the sheath. The electrical contacts can be either metal foil contacts or conductive polymer contacts and extend from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sheath such that when the testing apparatus is coupled to the lead implant tool, the electrical contacts are pressed into electrical contact with the ring electrodes located on the terminal connector. The lead implant tool also includes various removal means facilitating the easy removal of the implant tool from the terminal connector when the implantation procedure is complete.

主权项

1. An implant tool for use with an implantable lead during an implant procedure, the implant tool comprising:
a pliable sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface and comprising a proximal contact region and a distal gripping region, the pliable sheath defining a lumen extending from a proximal end through a distal end of the pliable sheath, the lumen sized to receive a terminal connector of an implantable lead therein; at least a first and a second electrical contact formed in the proximal contact region of the pliable sheath, the first and second electrical contacts extending from the outer surface to the inner surface of the pliable sheath and comprising an electrically conductive material; and at least a first separation feature being disposed between the first and second electrical contacts and extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the pliable sheath such that the first separation feature is configured to be capable of contacting an outer surface of the terminal connector; wherein the pliable sheath is configured to be peeled away from the terminal connector.