ENCAPSULATED NON-PERMEABLE PIEZOELECTRIC POWERED PACESETTER

• US 3,659,615 A
• Filed: 06/08/1970
• Issued: 05/02/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl C. Enger
• Original Assignee: Carl C. Enger
• Inventors: Enger, Carl C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/044,406
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419P,419B,421,422,335.5,1R
• US Class Current: 607/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement

Abstract

An encapsulated non-permeable piezoelectric self-powered pacesetter for implantation in an in vivo, or living, system in which the pacesetter is sealed and enclosed in an envelope formed of medical grade silicone rubber and preferably natural or synthetic animal, plant or insect wax, in which a piezoelectric poly-crystalline ceramic is completely embedded, enclosed or housed to function as a mechanical to electrical energy converter, when implanted near moving muscle in a living system, and without connection with a separate source of electrical energy either within or without the living system.

Claims

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which said envelope comprises a natural wax inner enclosure for the generator and the transdUcer and a medical grade silicone rubber, outer, living tissue compatible envelope.

3. The invention defined in claim 1 in which the material forming the capsule consists of a natural wax and medical grade silicone rubber intimately and uniformly dispersed throughout the total mass to form an envelope.

4. An encapsulated pacesetter comprising an elongate capsule enclosing a piezoelectric generator unit at one end of the capsule, a transducer unit enclosed in the capsule and extending in a direction from said capsule end enclosing said generator to provide a flat flexing portion responsive to movement of organic muscle tissue in which the device is implanted in close proximity thereto, input electrodes within the capsule electrically connecting said transducer with said generator unit and generator output electrodes for implantation in the muscle tissue, said capsule comprising a mass consisting of medical grade silicone rubber and a natural wax.

5. The invention of claim 4 in which said encapsulation consists of an inner core of natural wax enclosing said generator, transducer and input electrodes, and an outer relatively thin interface of medical grade silicone rubber completely enclosing the core.