Capped pacer neck containing a connector assembly

Abstract

The cardiac pacing system comprises a cardiac pacer, and a multiconductor pacing lead having a distal end and a proximal end having a plurality of spaced apart ring electrodes thereon. The pacer comprises a metal case mounting electronic/electrical circuitry, and a power supply therein and having a top side. A soft pliable elongate neck is mounted to the top side of the case. A connector assembly is located inside said neck for connecting the cardiac pacer with the proximal end of the pacing lead and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart U-shaped electrical contacts and insulated conductors extending through the top side for coupling the electrical contacts to electrical circuitry in the case. The neck has at least one elongate lumen therein into which extend the electrical contacts and has an open end for receiving the proximal end of the pacing lead. A hard elongate cap which is sized to fit over at least a portion of the neck containing the electrical contacts, is releasably fixed over the neck and has a smaller width than the width of the neck so that after the proximal end of the lead is inserted into the lumen, fixing of the cap over the neck will compress the electrical contacts against the ring electrodes.