Reducing relative intermodule motion in a modular implantable medical device

• US 20040176819A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Skime, Robert M., Janzig, Darren A., Wahlstrand, Carl D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,392,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

A modular implantable medical device includes a plurality of modules that are at least partially encapsulated by an overmold. The modules may be connected by coupling modules, which may be flexible to provide for one or more degrees of relative intermodular motion. The overmold may also be flexible. In order to reduce relative intermodule motion to acceptable direction and/or ranges, the overmold may include one or more motion reduction elements.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising:

a plurality of interconnected modules, each of the modules comprising a housing;

an overmold that at least partially encapsulates each of the housings; and

a motion reduction element within the overmold to reduce relative motion between at least two of the modules.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element is located within the overmold between two of the modules.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element is coupled to at least one of the modules.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element comprises a wire-like element.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element comprises a fabric.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element comprises at least one of a cement, a polymer, and a shape memory alloy.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element comprises a fiber.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the motion reduction element comprises at least two rigid members coupled together with a mechanical moving element.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the mechanical moving element is a ball and socket element.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the mechanical moving element is a rod and slot element.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the mechanical moving element is a geared hinge element.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the mechanical moving element includes a locking element to permit the at least two rigid members to be positioned into a desired location and to permit the locking element to retain the mechanical moving elements in the desired position.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 15, wherein the locking element is an insertable pin element.

17. The implantable medical device of claim 15, wherein the locking element is an adhesive element.

18. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device comprises an implantable neurostimulator.

4. The implantable medical device of 1, wherein the overmold comprises a first component that at least partially encapsulates each of the housings and second and third components that are located adjacent to side surfaces respective ones of the housings, and at least one of the second and third components comprises the motion reduction element.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 4, wherein the first component comprises an elastomeric material, and the second and third components comprises a non-elastomeric material.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 4, wherein the motion reduction element comprises a first motion reduction element that protrudes from the second component of the overmold, the implantable medical device further comprising a second motion reduction element that protrudes from the third component of the overmold, wherein first and second motion reduction elements interact to reduce relative motion between the modules associated with the second and third components.

19. An implantable medical device comprising:

a plurality of interconnected modules, each of the modules comprising a housing;

an overmold that at least partially encapsulates each of the housings; and

means within the overmold for reducing relative motion between at least two of the modules.

20. The implantable medical device of claim 19, wherein the means for reducing relative motion is located within the overmold between two of the modules.

21. The implantable medical device of claim 19, wherein the means for reducing relative motion is coupled to at least one of the modules.

24. The implantable medical device of claim 19, wherein the implantable medical device comprises an implantable neurostimulator.

22. The implantable medical device of 19, wherein the overmold comprises a first component that at least partially encapsulates each of the housings and second and third components that are located adjacent to side surfaces respective ones of the housings, and at least one of the second and third components comprises the means for reducing relative motion between modules.

23. The implantable medical device of 19, wherein the means for reducing relative motion comprises:

means for permitting motion between at least two of the modules to a configuration; and

means for locking the modules in the configuration.

25. An implantable medical device comprising:

a plurality of interconnected modules, each of the modules comprising a housing;

an overmold that at least partially encapsulates each of the housings;

a coupling module to couple at least two of the modules, wherein the coupling module is flexible to allow at least one degree of relative motion between the modules; and

a motion reduction element within the overmold to reduce relative motion between the at least two of the modules in the at least one degree.

26. A method comprising:

manipulating a modular implantable medical device into a configuration; and

locking the modular implantable medical device within the configuration.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein locking the modular implantable medical device within the configuration comprises inserting one of a pin element and an adhesive into the modular implantable medical device.