Cranial implant

• US 20070255338A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wahlstrand, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 9,084,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/293 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation

Abstract

Implantable medical devices (IMD) configured for implantation within a recess formed in a cranium of a patient, as well as associated methods, are described. In some embodiments, the IMD includes a top external surface and another adjacent external surface, e.g., a side surface, which are oriented with respect to each other to define an acute angle. A connection module for an electrical lead or catheter may be included on the top external surface. Embodiments of the invention may facilitate implantation of an IMD within a recess formed in the cranium of a patient at a location remote to an incision made in the scalp of the patient.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device configured to at least one of deliver therapy to or monitor a patient, and configured for implantation within a recess formed in a cranium of the patient, the implantable medical device comprising:

a top external surface located distally relative to a brain of the patient when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess; and

a second external surface adjacent to the top external surface and located proximate to the brain relative to the top external surface when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess,

wherein the second external surface and the top external surface are oriented to define an acute angle.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the second external surface comprises a side external surface, the device further comprising a bottom external surface that is adjacent to the side external surface and non-adjacent to the top external surface, wherein the side external surface and the bottom external surface are oriented to define an obtuse angle.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1,

wherein the second external surface converges with the top external surface to define an edge,

wherein the edge substantially circumscribes the top external surface.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing includes at least part of the top external surface and at least part of the second external surface.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 4, further comprising a connection module coupled to the housing on the top external surface, wherein the connection module is configured to receive at least one of a lead or a catheter, and the implantable medical device is configured to at least one of deliver therapy to or monitor the patient via the lead or catheter.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 5, wherein the connection module receives the lead or catheter in a direction that is substantially parallel to the top external surface.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising a housing that includes the top external surface and the second external surface.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing; and

a member that at least partially encapsulates the housing, wherein the member comprises at least part of at least one of the top external surface and the second external surface.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the acute angle is less than approximately 65 degrees.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical comprises a neurostimulator.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing that includes at least part of the top external surface and at least part of the second external surface;

a therapy delivery circuitry within the housing; and

a processor within the housing that controls the circuitry to deliver therapy to the patient.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the second external surface is a bottom external surface and has a convex shape.

13. An implantable medical device configured to at least one of deliver therapy to or monitor a patient, and configured for implantation within a recess formed in a cranium of the patient, the implantable medical device comprising:

a top external surface located distally relative to a brain of the patient when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess;

a bottom external surface located proximate to the brain relative to the top external surface when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess;

a side external surface adjacent to both the top external surface and the bottom external surface;

a housing that includes at least at least part of the top external surface, at least part of the side external surface, and the bottom external surface; and

a connection module mounted on the part of the housing that includes at least part of the top external surface,

wherein the side external surface converges with the top external surface to define a first edge that substantially circumscribes the top external surface, and the side external surface and the top external surface are oriented to define an acute angle along the first edge, and

wherein the connection module is configured to receive at least one of a lead or a catheter, and the implantable medical device is configured to at least one of deliver therapy to or monitor the patient via the lead or catheter.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 13, wherein the bottom external surface converges with the side external surface to define a second edge that substantially circumscribes the bottom external surface, and the side external surface and the bottom external surface are oriented to define an obtuse angle along the second edge.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 13, wherein the side external surface substantially defines a frustum of a cone.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 13, further comprising a member that at least partially encapsulates the housing.

17. The implantable medical device of claim 16, wherein the member extends beyond an outer perimeter of the top external surface.

18. The implantable medical device of claim 16, wherein the member includes at least part of at least one of the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

19. The implantable medical device of claim 13, wherein the connection module receives the lead or catheter in a direction that is substantially parallel to the top external surface.

20. The implantable medical device of claim 13, wherein the acute angle is less than approximately 65 degrees.

21. The implantable medical device of claim 13, wherein the implantable medical comprises a neurostimulator.

22. The implantable medical device of claim 13, further comprising:

a therapy delivery circuitry within the housing; and

a processor within the housing that controls the circuitry to deliver therapy to the patient.

23. A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device configured for implantation within a recess formed in a cranium of a patient, the method comprising:

forming an upper assembly for the implantable medial device, the upper assembly including a top external surface of the implantable medial device, wherein the top external surface is located distally relative to a brain of the patient when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess;

forming a lower assembly for the implantable medial device, the lower assembly including a second external surface of the implantable medial device, wherein the second external surface is located proximate to the brain when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess; and

joining the upper assembly to the lower assembly to form a substantially sealed housing for the implantable medical device, wherein after joining the upper assembly to the lower assembly the second external surface and the top external surface are oriented to define an acute angle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein joining the upper assembly to the lower assembly to form substantially sealed enclosure comprises welding the upper assembly to the lower assembly.

25. The method of claim 23,

wherein the second external surface comprises a side external surface,

wherein the lower assembly includes a bottom external surface of the implantable medial device adjacent to the side external surface, and

wherein the side external surface and the bottom external surface are oriented to define an obtuse angle.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

forming a lead connection module on the top external surface, wherein the lead connection module is configured to receive a lead includes a feedthrough through the upper assembly;

mounting circuitry that at least one of delivers stimulation to or monitors electrical activity within the patient to an inner surface of the lower assembly; and

coupling a flexible tape interconnect to the circuitry and the feedthrough prior to joining the upper assembly to the lower assembly to electrically connect the circuitry to the lead connection module.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein forming a connection module comprises configuring the connection module to receive the lead in a direction that is substantially parallel to the top external surface.

28. An implantable medical device configured for implantation within a recess formed in a cranium of a patient, the implantable medical device comprising:

a housing including a top external surface, wherein the top external surface is located distally relative to a brain of the patient when the implantable medical device is implanted within the recess;

a lead connection module located on the top external surface, the lead connection module configured to receive at least one lead;

circuitry that at least one of delivers stimulation to or monitors electrical activity within the patient via the lead, the circuitry located within the housing; and

a flexible tape interconnect within the housing that electrically connects the circuitry within the housing to the connection module.

30. The implantable medical device of claim 28,

wherein the housing includes a second external surface located adjacent to the top external surface and proximate to the cranium of the patent relative to the top external surface when the implantable medical device is implanted within the patient, and

wherein the second external surface and the top external surface are oriented to define an acute angle.

29. The implantable medical device of 28, wherein the connection module is configured to receive the lead in a direction that is substantially parallel to the top external surface.