LEADLESS INTRA-CARDIAC MEDICAL DEVICE WITH BUILT-IN TELEMETRY SYSTEM

• US 20130116529A1
• Filed: 01/17/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Min, Xiaoyi, Poore, John W., Bornzin, Gene A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,265,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/375
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/29 for permanent or long-term implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence

Abstract

A leadless intra-cardiac medical device is configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient. The device includes an intra-cardiac extension and a housing. The intra-cardiac extension includes a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart. The housing is in electrical communication within the loop body, and includes a transceiver, control logic and an energy source. The housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy.

Claims

1. A leadless intra-cardiac medical device (LIMD) configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient, the IMD comprising:

an intra-cardiac extension including a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart; and

a housing in electrical communication within the loop body, the housing comprising a transceiver, wherein the housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an energy source configured to be recharged through current induced within the at least one coil group, and wherein the current is induced by a magnetic field caused by the RF energy.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one loop segment comprises at least one electrode secured thereto, wherein the at least one loop segment is configured to contact a portion of an internal wall of the heart, and wherein the housing further comprises electronics configured to provide one or both of sensing or stimulus through the at least one electrode.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one loop segment includes a plurality of interconnected loop segments.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of interconnected loop segments are commonly aligned and oriented with respect to one another.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of interconnected loop segments includes a first group of loop segments and a second group of loop segments, wherein the first group of loop segments is oriented with respect to first and second orthogonal axes and the second group of loop segments is oriented with respect to first and third orthogonal axes.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein a first of the plurality of interconnected loop segments is aligned in a first orientation and a second of the plurality of interconnected loop segments is aligned in a second orientation, and wherein the first orientation differs from the second orientation so that the first and second of the plurality of interconnected loop segments are out of plane with one another.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one loop segment comprises a perimeter that flares in a direction generally toward and away from a lateral axis with respect to a longitudinal axis of the loop body.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one loop segment comprises a perimeter shaped as a disc, oval, circle, tube, rectangle, or triangle.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a protective tube between the loop body and the housing.

11. The IMD of claim 1, wherein the at least one loop segment is distally located from the housing.

12. A method of operating a leadless intra-cardiac medical device (LIMD) within a heart of a patient, the device including a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group within a first internal portion of the heart, and a housing connected to the loop body and secured within a second internal portion of the heart, wherein the method comprises:

emitting radio frequency (RF) energy from an external device to the IMD;

generating an induced current in the loop body through the RF energy;

passing the induced current from the loop body within the first internal portion of the heart to the housing secured within the second internal portion of the heart; and

communicating between the LIMD and the external device through the generating and passing.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising recharging a rechargeable energy source of the LIMD through the induced current.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising contacting an internal wall of the first internal portion of the heart with at least one electrode on a portion of the loop body, wherein the housing comprises electronics configured to provide one or both of sensing or stimulus through the at least one electrode.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising calibrating the LIMD after implantation into the heart of the patient.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the calibrating comprises adjusting drive frequencies of the at least one loop segment.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising tuning the loop segments through the adjusting.