RECHARGING AND COMMUNICATION LEAD FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE

• US 20110270349A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: Cowley, Anthony W., Hussain, Saadat, Chilton, Robert J., Thompson, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,594,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• 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

A lead for an implantable device includes a flexible, implantable tether, electrically connectable to an implantable device, and a plurality of control elements, disposed along the tether. The control elements are electrically interconnectable to the implantable device and configured to transmit one of power and communication signals thereto

Claims

1. A lead for an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:

a flexible, implantable tether, electrically connectable to an IMD;

two or more control elements, disposed along the tether, the control elements being electrically interconnectable to the IMD and configured to transmit one of power and communication signals thereto.

2. A lead in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control elements are selected from the group consisting of communication elements configured to transmit communication signals to the IMD, and recharging elements configured to transmit power to the IMD.

3. A lead in accordance with claim 2, wherein the control elements each comprise a combined communication and recharging element.

4. A lead in accordance with claim 3, wherein the combined communication and recharging elements comprise:

a coil, configured to (i) transmit and receive communication signals from a wireless communication device, and/or (ii) generate electrical current in response to a proximate oscillating electrical field, and to transmit said current to the IMD for recharging of an electrical storage battery therein.

5. A lead in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a communications filter circuit and/or a power rectifier circuit, electrically connected to the coil.

6. A lead in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tether is configured for implantation into a human or animal body at a depth that is less than an implantation depth of the IMD.

7. A lead in accordance with claim 2, wherein the integrated control elements comprise alternating communication elements and recharging elements disposed along a length of the tether.

8. A lead in accordance with claim 1, further comprising individual wires in the tether for electrically connecting each integrated control element to the IMD.

9. A lead in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a bus in the tether including at least two wires for electrically connecting two or more integrated control elements to the IMD;

wherein the at least two wires are selected from the group consisting of a control element logic control wire, a communication signal wire, a recharging power transmission wire, a data wire, a control element V+wire, and a control element V-wire.

10. A lead in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

the communication element comprises an antenna, configured to transmit and receive communication signals from a wireless communication device; and

the recharging element comprises an induction coil, configured to generate electrical current in response to a proximate oscillating electrical field, and to transmit said current to the IMD for recharging of an electrical storage battery therein.

11. A lead in accordance with claim 10, further comprising communications filtering circuitry, associated with the antenna, and a power rectifier circuit, associated with the coil.

12. A system suitable for implantation into a human or animal body, comprising:

a programmable device, having a rechargeable battery; and

a flexible tether, electrically connected to the programmable device, the tether including two or more integrated control elements, disposed along a length thereof, the control elements being configured to transmit one of power and control signals to the programmable device.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the integrated control elements each comprise a combined communication and recharging element.

14. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the integrated control elements are selected from the group consisting of:

a communication element, comprising an antenna portion, configured to transmit and receive wireless communication signals between the programmable device and a communication ancillary device outside the body; and

a recharging element, comprising an induction coil, configured to generate electrical current in response to a proximate oscillating electrical field, and to transmit said current to the programmable device for recharging the battery.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising communications filtering circuitry, associated with one of the antenna portion and the programmable device.

16. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the integrated control elements comprise alternating communication elements and recharging elements disposed along the length of the tether.

17. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the tether is configured for implantation at a depth that is less than an implantation depth of the programmable device.

18. A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising an electrode, disposed at a distal end of the tether and attached to a nerve of the body, the programmable device comprising a pulse generation device for delivering electrical stimulation to the nerve via the electrode.

19. A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a recharging device, placeable outside the skin of the body in a region near the implantation location of the tether.

20. A vagus nerve stimulation system, comprising:

an implantable programmable pulse generation device, having a rechargeable battery;

an implantable electrode, attachable to the vagus nerve; and

an implantable flexible tether, electrically interconnecting the pulse generation device and the electrode, the tether including two or more integrated control elements disposed along a length thereof.

21. A system in accordance with claim 20, wherein the integrated control elements are selected from the group consisting of:

a communication element, comprising an antenna portion, configured to transmit and receive wireless communication signals between the pulse generation device and a communication device outside the body; and

a recharging element, comprising an induction coil, configured to generate electrical current in response to a proximate oscillating electrical field, and to transmit said current to the pulse generation device for recharging the battery.

22. A system in accordance with claim 20, wherein the integrated control elements each comprise a combined communication and recharging element.