Replaceable battery for implantable medical device

• US 5,314,451 A
• Filed: 01/15/1993
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reed A. Duthler
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mulier, Peter M. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US08/006,099
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 607/33, 607/36, 607/34
• US Class Current: 607/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An implantable electromedical device having a detachable, replaceable power supply. In one embodiment, the circuitry for an electromedical device is contained in a first hermetic enclosure, while a power supply for the device is contained in a second hermetic enclosure. The two enclosures are coupled together via a multiple conductor lead or the like, using any of the known assemblies commonly used for connection of pacing/sensing leads to an implantable device. A control signal generated by the device is applied to a control terminal on the battery enclosure. When the control signal is asserted, the battery is electrically coupled to two battery terminals on the battery enclosure, which terminals are coupled to power input terminals on the device itself. When the control signal is deserted, the battery is decouple from the battery terminals, so that there is no leakage current associated with the conduction of battery voltages on the connector between the two hermetic capsules. The disclosed arrangement may be advantageously utilized to allow for replacement of depleted batteries without explanation of the medical device itself, and to allow for different batteries to be used with the same device in different patients.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a first hermetically sealed enclosure containing a capacitor and electrical circuitry including control means for generating a control signal and provided with a first connector means for coupling to said capacitor and a second connector means for coupling to said control means, said enclosure further comprising output connector means for coupling to body stimulation electrodes, and means for connecting said capacitor to said output connector means for discharging said capacitor to stimulate body tissue; and

a second hermetically sealed enclosure, containing a battery and a switch having a control input, and provided with third connector means for removably coupling to said first connector means, and fourth connector means for removably coupling to said second connector means, said fourth connector means coupled to said control input of said switch, said switch comprising means for coupling said battery to said third connector means responsive to a control signal applied at said control input.

2. An implantable medical device, according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry comprises charging circuitry for charging said capacitor to a desired voltage.

3. An implantable cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising:

a first hermetically sealed enclosure containing an output capacitor, a charging circuit for charging said output capacitor to a desired voltage and electrical circuitry including control means for generating a control signal and provided with a first connector means for coupling to said charging circuit and a second connector for coupling to said control means, said first enclosure further provided with output connector means for coupling to body stimulation electrodes and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises circuitry coupled to said output connector means for discharging said capacitor to stimulate body tissue; and

a second hermetically sealed enclosure, containing a battery and a switch having a control input, and provided with third connector means for removably coupling to said first connector means, and fourth connector means for removably coupling said to second connector means, said fourth connector means coupled to said control input of said switch, said switch comprising means for coupling said battery to said third connector means responsive to a control signal applied at said control input.

4. An implantable cardioverter or defibrillator according to claim 3 wherein said first hermetically sealed enclosure further comprises an internal energy storage means for powering said electrical circuitry, including said control means.

5. An implantable cardioverter or defibrillator according to claim 4 wherein said first hermetically sealed enclosure comprises a cardiac pacemaker and wherein said internal energy storage means comprises means for powering said cardiac pacemaker.