ACCESSORY APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED RECHARGING OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20100241194A1
• Filed: 03/17/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kast, John E., Deininger, Steve T., McMullen, Raymond F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An apparatus configured to be placed about an implantable medical device having a face with a geometric center offset from a center of a recharge coil of the device includes first and second opposing major exterior surfaces, and a continuous exterior side surface joining the first and second opposing major exterior surfaces. A cavity is defined between, and an opening is formed by, the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface. The opening is in communication with the cavity and is configured to allow the device to access the cavity. An asymmetric region, adjacent to the cavity, is formed between a portion of the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface. The asymmetric region is configured to shift the geometric center of the combined apparatus and device, when the device is received in the cavity, towards the center of the recharge coil.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a rechargeable implantable medical device,

wherein the medical device has an exterior face, the face having a geometric center,

wherein the device includes a recharge coil, wherein the center of the recharge coil is offset from the geometric center of the face; and

an apparatus configured to be disposed about at least a portion of the device such that the device and apparatus together define a combined face with a geometric center aligned with the center of the recharge coil.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a groove configured to receive the lead.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the groove runs circumferentially around the combined face.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises opposing tabs defining a portion of the groove, the opposing tabs configured to separate from a relaxed position to allow the lead to access the groove and to resiliently return to the relaxed position to retain the lead in the groove.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is formed from silicone.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more elutable therapeutic agents.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more elutable therapeutic agents comprise an anti-infective agent.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more elutable therapeutic agents comprise minocycline and rifampin.

9. An apparatus configured to be placed about an implantable medical device having a face with a geometric center offset from a center of a recharge coil of the device, the apparatus comprising:

first and second opposing major exterior surfaces;

a continuous exterior side surface joining the first and second opposing major exterior surfaces;

a cavity defined between the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surfaces, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the implantable medical device, wherein an opening in the apparatus is formed by the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface, wherein the opening is in communication with the cavity and is configured to allow at least a portion of the device to access the cavity; and

an asymmetric region formed between a portion of the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface, wherein the asymmetric region is adjacent to the cavity and is configured to shift the geometric center of the combined apparatus and device, when the device is received in the cavity, towards the center of the recharge coil of the device.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a groove formed around the continuous exterior side surface configured to receive the lead.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the groove runs circumferentially around the face of the device.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises opposing tabs defining a portion of the groove, the opposing tabs configured to separate from a relaxed position to allow the lead to access the groove and to resiliently return to the relaxed position to retain the lead in the groove.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is formed from silicone.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more elutable therapeutic agents.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more elutable therapeutic agents comprise an anti-infective agent.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more elutable therapeutic agents comprise minocycline and rifampin.

17. A method for aligning a recharge coil of an implantable medical device with a geometric center, comprising:

placing an apparatus about the implantable medical device such that the apparatus and the device together define a face with a geometric center aligned with the center of the recharge coil.