Pacemaker

• US 5,456,698 A
• Filed: 11/23/1993
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hooper, William J., Byland, James K., DeFranco, Michael D., Thompson, David L., Sikorski, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/158,832
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/37
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

An enclosure for use in pacemaker as well as other implantable medical devices has a substantially planar lid which is welded to a circumferential flange formed on a deep drawn shield. The shield and lid form a "container" which is encased in a compliant shroud which isolates the welded flange from direct body contact and which enhances the biocompatibility of the entire device. A resilient and compliant shroud material accepts connector module components, integrates seals, provides storage for lead wrap, and provides a simple low cost and reliable method of attaching stimulating leads or other structures required by the medical device.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

(A) a substantially hermetic container, comprising;

(1) a lid having a circumferential lid edge surface;

(2) a shield having a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall connected to said bottom wall and terminating at an outer circumferential flange surface overlapping and sealingly attached to said circumferential lid edge surface to provide said container;

(B) an electronic circuit located within said container;

(C) a feedthrough extending through said shield and coupled to said electronic circuit;

(D) a shroud of a resilient, compliant plastic having a connector bore means for receiving a connector of an electrical lead formed therein and enclosing said circumferential lid edge surface, said flange surface and said feedthrough; and

(E) an electrical connector means for coupling to an electrical lead, mounted in said material of said shroud, coupled to said feedthrough and exposed to said connector bore means.

2. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, further comprising insulators located within said container disposed adjacent said lid and said bottom wall of said shield.

3. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises a pulse generator, coupled to said feedthrough.

4. An implantable medical device according to claim 3, wherein said pulse generator is further coupled to said shield.

5. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a power source located in said container and coupled to said electronic circuit.

6. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a radio-opaque identifier mounted to said shroud.

7. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein said feedthrough extends through said circumferential side wall.

8. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein said shroud covers said bottom wall of said shield.

9. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, further comprising an insulator cup located in said shield and comprising means for retaining said electronic circuit in a desired location within said device.

10. An implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein said shroud further comprises means for engaging an electrical lead body.

11. An implantable medical device, comprising:

(A) a substantially hermetic container having a circumferential edge surface;

(B) an electronic circuit located within said container;

(C) a feedthrough extending through said container and coupled to said electronic circuit;

(D) a shroud of a resilient, compliant material having a connector bore means for receiving a connector of an electrical lead formed therein and enclosing said circumferential edge surface and said feedthrough; and

(E) an electrical connector means for coupling to an electrical lead, mounted in said material of said shroud, coupled to said feedthrough and exposed to said connector bore means.

12. An implantable medical device according to claim 11, wherein said container has a generally planar wall surface exposed to the exterior of said shroud.

13. An implantable medical device according to claim 12, wherein said electronic circuit comprises a pulse generator and wherein said pulse generator is coupled to said wall surface and to said feedthrough.

14. An implantable medical device according to claim 11, further comprising a second feedthrough, coupled to said electronic circuit and enclosed by said shroud, and a second electrical connector means coupled to said second feedthrough.

15. An implantable medical device according to claim 14, wherein said electronic circuit comprises a pulse generator and wherein said pulse generator is coupled to said first and second feedthroughs.

16. An implantable medical device, comprising:

(A) a substantially hermetic container having a circumferential edge surface;

(B) an electronic circuit located within said container;

(C) a feedthrough extending through said container and coupled to said electronic circuit;

(D) a shroud fabricated of a resilient material, having a connector bore formed therein and enclosing said circumferential edge surface and said feedthrough; and

(E) an electrical connector means for coupling to an electrical lead, mounted in said shroud, coupled to said feedthrough and exposed to said connector bore, wherein a portion of said resilient material of said shroud is formed to define an integrated sealing grommet adjacent said electrical connector means.

17. An implantable medical device, comprising:

(A) a substantially hermetic container having a circumferential edge surface;

(B) an electronic circuit located within said container;

(C) a feedthrough extending through said container and coupled to said electronic circuit;

(D) a shroud fabricated of a resilient, compliant material, having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical connector of an electrical lead formed therein and enclosing said circumferential edge surface and said feedthrough;

(E) an electrical connector means for coupling to an electrical lead, mounted in said shroud, coupled to said feedthrough and exposed to said connector bore; and

(F) an antenna coupled to said electronic circuit, positioned outside said container and mounted in said material of said shroud.

18. An implantable medical device, comprising:

(A) a metal container sealed against fluid ingress and having opposing, generally planar major surfaces and a circumferential edge surface;

(B) an electronic circuit located within said container;

(C) a shroud fabricated of resilient, compliant material having a connector bore means for receiving an electrical connector of an electrical lead formed therein and enclosing said circumferential side wall; and

(D) an electrical connector mounted in said material of said shroud, coupled to said electronic circuit and exposed to said connector bore means.

19. An implantable medical device, according to claim 18, wherein a portion of said material of said shroud is formed into to an integrated sealing grommet adjacent said electrical connector.