Importance

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Abstract

A connector assembly mounted on an implantable cardiac stimulation device has an actuator mechanism for fixing electrical leads inserted into lead receptacles within the connector assembly without the use of setscrews. Fixing of the leads is accomplished by compressing onto each lead annular locking springs, disposed in annular recesses of a molded support and engaged with an annular shoulder of conical taper in the direction of lead insertion, with lip portions of a plunger drawn toward the molded support by the actuator mechanism. In a first embodiment, rotation of a cam actuator transversely journaled within the support, using a torque wrench or similar tool, moves a cam slide attached to the plunger through a fixed displacement between lock and unlock positions as an offset camming portion of the actuator engages the surfaces of a slot within the cam slide. In a second embodiment, constant-force compression of the annular lead locking springs by the plunger is provided by using a torque wrench to rotate a screw actuator having one end coupled to the plunger and an opposite threaded end received within a screw block transversely disposed within the support. In a third embodiment, a rotatable toothed pinion engages a toothed slot within a slidable rack to provide incremental advancement of the rack, and thereby stepped displacement and force. In a fourth embodiment, compliance provided by either a spring formed within the cam slide, or a spring nut mounted thereon, prevents excessive force from being exerted on leads of larger diameter.

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First Claim