Spacers for use with transcutaneous energy transfer system

• US 20050245996A1
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Phillips, William C., Schmeling, Andrew L., Schommer, Mark C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,512,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A transcutaneous energy transfer system, method and kit for an implantable medical device having componentry for providing a therapeutic output and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the componentry and is adapted to be implanted at a location in a patient. An external power source has a primary coil contained in a housing. The external power source is capable of providing energy to the implantable medical device when the primary coil of the external power source is placed in proximity of the secondary coil of the implantable medical device. A holder is adapted to be externally positioned with respect to the patient at a spot in proximity of the location of the implantable medical device and secured at the location. A spacer, removably coupled to the holder, has an opening receiving the protrusion. A plurality of spacers can be used. The number is spacers is selectable based on the size of the protrusion.

Claims

1. An external power system for transcutaneous energy transfer to an implantable medical device having componentry for providing a therapeutic output and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said componentry, said implantable medical device adapted to be implanted at a location in a patient forming a cutaneous protrusion at said location, comprising:

an external power source having a primary coil contained in a housing;

said external power source capable of providing energy to said implantable medical device when said primary coil of said external power source is placed in proximity of said secondary coil of said implantable medical device; and

a holder adapted to be externally positioned with respect to said patient at a spot in proximity of said location of said implantable medical device and secured at said location; and

a spacer, removably coupled to said holder, having an opening receiving said protrusion.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of spacers, each separately removably coupled to said holder, each of said plurality of spacers having an opening receiving at least a portion of said protrusion.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein a number of said plurality of spacers is selectable depending upon a size of said protrusion.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein said opening comprises a central opening.

5. A system as in claim 3 wherein said opening is generally oval.

6. A system as in claim 3 wherein more of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is larger.

7. A system as in claim 3 wherein fewer of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is smaller.

8. A system for transcutaneous energy transfer, comprising:

an implantable medical device having componentry for providing a therapeutic output and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said componentry, said implantable medical device adapted to implanted at a location in a patient;

an external power source having a primary coil contained in a housing;

said external power source capable of providing energy to said implantable medical device when said primary coil of said external power source is placed in proximity of said secondary coil of said implantable medical device; and

a holder adapted to be externally positioned with respect to said patient at a spot in proximity of said location of said implantable medical device and secured at said location; and

a spacer, removably coupled to said holder, having an opening receiving said protrusion.

9. A system as in claim 8 wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of spacers, each separately removably coupled to said holder, each of said plurality of spacers having an opening receiving at least a portion of said protrusion.

10. A system as in claim 9 wherein a number of said plurality of spacers is selectable depending upon a size of said protrusion.

11. A system as in claim 10 wherein said opening comprises a central opening.

12. A system as in claim 10 wherein said opening is generally oval.

13. A system as in claim 10 wherein more of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is larger.

14. A system as in claim 10 wherein fewer of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is smaller.

15. A mounting kit for an external power system for transcutaneous energy transfer to an implantable medical device having componentry for providing a therapeutic output and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said componentry, said implantable medical device adapted to be implanted at a location in a patient forming a cutaneous protrusion at said location, comprising:

a holder adapted to be externally positioned with respect to said patient at a spot in proximity of said location of said implantable medical device and secured at said location; and

a plurality of spacers, each separately removably coupled to said holder, each of said plurality of spacers having an opening adapted to receive at least a portion of said protrusion; and

wherein a number of said plurality of spacers is selectable depending upon a size of said protrusion.

16. A mounting kit as in claim 15 wherein said opening comprises a central opening.

17. A mounting kit as in claim 15 wherein said opening is generally oval.

18. A mounting kit as in claim 15 wherein more of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is larger.

19. A mounting kit as in claim 15 wherein fewer of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is smaller.

20. A method of transcutaneous energy transfer from an external power source having a primary coil contained in a housing to an implantable medical device having componentry for providing a therapeutic output and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said componentry, said implantable medical device adapted to implanted at a location in a patient forming a cutaneous protrusion at said location, comprising the steps of:

placing a holder with respect to said patient at a spot in proximity of said location of said implantable medical device;

selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers, each of said plurality of spacers having an opening receiving said protrusion; and

securing said holder and said at least one of said plurality of spacers at said spot with said opening of said at least one of said plurality of spacers receiving said protrusion.

21. A method as in claim 20 further comprising the step of attaching said housing to said holder.

22. A method as in claim 21 further comprising the step of selecting a number of said plurality of spacers depending upon a size of said protrusion.

23. A method as in claim 22 wherein said opening comprises a central opening.

24. A method as in claim 22 wherein said opening is generally oval.

25. A method as in claim 22 wherein, in said selecting step, more of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is larger.

26. A method as in claim 22 wherein, in said selecting step, fewer of said plurality of spacers are selected when said protrusion is smaller.