IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE INCLUDING MECHANICAL STRESS SENSOR
First Claim
1. An implantable medical system comprising:
- a housing;
a therapy delivery module substantially enclosed within the housing, wherein the therapy delivery module is configured to deliver therapy to a patient;
a component substantially enclosed within the housing; and
a mechanical stress sensor mechanically coupled to at least one of the housing or the component, wherein the mechanical stress sensor generates a signal indicative of a mechanical load exerted on the housing or the component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for determining in vivo mechanical load exerted on an implanted medical device (IMD) are described. The IMD or a device that has a substantially similar form factor as the IMD includes at least one mechanical stress sensor mechanically coupled to a housing or a component within the housing. In some examples, a patient parameter is determined based on a signal indicative of the in vivo mechanical load exerted on the IMD. In addition, in some examples, a processor determines whether a transient or cumulative mechanical load exerted on an IMD exceeded a predetermined threshold. A processor may additionally or alternatively determine whether a pattern in the mechanical loading of the IMD indicates a diversion from a manufacturing, shipping, storage or other handling process.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable medical system comprising:
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a housing; a therapy delivery module substantially enclosed within the housing, wherein the therapy delivery module is configured to deliver therapy to a patient; a component substantially enclosed within the housing; and a mechanical stress sensor mechanically coupled to at least one of the housing or the component, wherein the mechanical stress sensor generates a signal indicative of a mechanical load exerted on the housing or the component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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implanting a mechanical stress indicator system in a patient, wherein the mechanical stress indicator system comprises; a housing defining a form factor of an implantable medical device that delivers therapy to a patient; a component enclosed within the housing; and a mechanical stress sensor coupled to at least one of the housing or the component, wherein the mechanical stress sensor generates a signal indicative of a mechanical load exerted on the housing or the component; and with a processor, determining an in vivo mechanical load exerted on the housing based on the signal generated by the mechanical stress sensor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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receiving a signal generated by a mechanical stress sensor implanted within a patient, wherein the signal is indicative of a mechanical load exerted on a housing that defines a form factor of an implantable medical device that delivers therapy to a patient, and wherein the mechanical stress sensor is coupled to at least one of the housing or a component enclosed within the housing; with a processor, comparing at least one characteristic of the signal to a predetermined threshold value; and with the processor, generating an indication based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification