Method for manufacture and implant of an implantable blood vessel cuff

• US 6,077,227 A
• Filed: 12/28/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Miesel, Keith A., Stylos, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US09/221,547
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 600/486, 600/485, 600/488, 600/504, 600/300, 623/1, 128/897, 128/898, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02152 specially adapted for venous pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes

Abstract

A method for construction ond delivery of a novel implantable medical device provides for use of a kit having sizeable fixture components for holding a blood vessel and a sensor portion connectable during surgery to the appropriately sized fixture.

Claims

1. A kit for use during surgery to implant a medical device comprising:

a sterilizable package containing a sensor capsule, and

a sterilizable package containing a sized fixture, said sized fixture being one of a series of sized fixtures, said fixtures comprising a tube member having an opening at both ends and a slit opening connecting both open ends, said tube member being sized in relation to body blood vessels.

2. A kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor capsule is a pressure capsule.

4. A kit as set forth in any of claims 1-3 wherein said sensor capsule is permanently connected to a medical lead.

5. A kit as set forth in any of claims 1-3 wherein said sensor capsule contains a connection for connecting to a medical lead.

6. A kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fixture slit is also sized.

8. A kit as set forth in any of claims 1-3, 6, or 7 further comprising a separate clip member for sealing a vessel in said fixture.

3. A kit for use during surgery to implant a medical device comprising:

a sterilizable package containing a sensor capsule, and

a sterilizable package containing a plurality of sized fixtures, each said sized fixture being one of a series of sized fixtures, said fixtures comprising a tube member having an opening at both ends and a slit opening connecting both open ends, each said tube member being sized in relation to body blood vessels.

7. A kit as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said fixture slit is also sized.

9. An implantable medical device adapted to be configured for implant during surgery, comprising at least two portions to be assembled during surgery:

a pressure sensor capsule portion wherein a pressure sensor is mounted in a capsule that is formed for connection to a medical electrical lead having electrical conductors therein and wherein said capsule further comprises a mounting tub surrounding said pressure sensor and having a mechanical connector for connecting to another of said at least two portions, and

a fixture portion comprising a mating mechanical connector for mating to said pressure sensor capsule mechanical connector, and a tube portion for surrounding said mounting tub such that when connected said tub presents said pressure sensor to an inside of said tube portion.

10. A method of manufacturing a implantable medical device adapted to be configured for implant during surgery, comprising at least two portions to be assembled during comprising:

building a pressure sensor capsule with a connecting tub mounted thereon, said connecting tub having a mating mechanical connector formed therein, and

building a fixture device with a mating member for snappable mating with said tub mating mechanical connector.

11. A method for manufacturing a fixture assembly from a rectangular block of medically compatible metal comprising:

machining rounded external shape as desired, machining a substantially round passage hole lengthwise through said block,

machining an opening slit on one side of said block so as to connect said passage hole along its entire length with a lengthwise surface of said block,

machining out by wire electrical discharge machining an electronics bay for containing electronics opposite said lengthwise surface of said block, and

machining out by wire electrical discharge machining a rectangular hole perpendicular to said passage hole, near enough to said electronics bay so as to form a flexible diaphragm between said electronics bay and said passage hole.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

mating an electronics and sensor platform to a surface of said electronics bay coplanar with said diaphragm, and

sealing said electronics bay into a capsule by mating said capsule with said block at a side formed by said electronics bay.

13. An implantable medical device adapted to be configured for implant during surgery, comprising at least two portions to be assembled during surgery:

a sensor capsule portion wherein a sensor means is connected by a capsule member constructed for connection to a medical electrical lead and wherein said capsule member further comprises a mounting unit having a mechanical connector for connecting to another of said at least two portions, and

a fixture portion comprising a mating mechanical connector for mating to said sensor capsule mechanical connector, and a tube portion for surrounding said mounting unit such that when connected said unit provides access for said sensor to an inside of said tube portion.

14. A method for implanting a chronically implantable sensor fixture comprising:

pinching or otherwise closing off the flow of blood at a location on a vessel in a living body,

allowing the blood to evacuate the vessel in a vessel portion downstream from said closed off location,

urging said evacuated downstream portion into a fixture of a size to hold said blood vessel, and

releasing said closed off location so as to allow the flow of blood to return to said downstream portion.

15. A method of implanting a chronically implantable sensor into a living body on a vessel of said body comprising:

selecting an appropriately sized sensor fixture for mounting around a said vessel,

clipping said fixture to a sensor capsule, and

mounting said fixture with said sensor capsule to said vessel.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising:

clipping a spring clip around said fixture.

17. A method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising:

connecting a lead to said sensor capsule for providing sensor signals to another implantable medical device which may also be implanted in said living body.