Sterile connector system for packaged pacer

Abstract

A sterile packaging system for an implantable cardiac pacer or tissue stimulator has a ribbon-like electrical connector strip that permits testing and use of the pacer while it remains sealed in a sterile container. The strip is a thin film of a flexible, non-conductive material with a set of longitudinally oriented conductive paths formed on one surface. A nested set of vacuum formed, plastic blister packs surround and secure the pacer. Each blister pack has a removable closure secured to its periphery. The pack and sealant are impervious to biological contaminants. The closure is preferably a film material that is pervious to a sterilizing agent. The connector strip is preferably two strips, each extending through the peripheral seal of one of the packs. The conductive paths of each strip are in series electrical connection when the packs are assembled. A bacteriostatic sealing compound, preferably held in a recess formed in the periphery of each pack over the associated connector strip, blocks biological contamination of the packs along the strips. In the preferred form, the outer end of each connector strip is folded over the recess. The connector strip can include a conductive path that terminates in a large conductive area that is in electrical connection with the case of the pacer. A resilient structure urges the conductive area into a firm contact with the pacer with a minimum of sliding contact between the conductive area of the connector strip and the pacer case.