Implantable medical device

• US 6,470,213 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1999
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth A. Alley
• Original Assignee: Kenneth A. Alley
• Inventors: Alley, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US09/282,096
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 128/903, 128/DIG.25, 600/29, 600/30, 600/31, 600/135, 600/561, 600/585, 600/587, 601/4, 601/151, 601/152, 601/153, 604/66, 604/67, 607/40, 607/41, 606/191, 606/192, 606/46, 606/47
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/205 Determining bladder or urethral pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/208 adapted to determine urine quantity, e.g. flow, volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6874 Bladder
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/042 Urinary bladders

Abstract

A method is taught for communicating information between a bladder disposed within an individual and the exterior of the individual. The method includes providing an implantable medical device having an operating component for performing operations within the bladder, a communication device for providing a communication regarding the operation between the implantable medical device and the exterior of the individual, and an energy source for applying energy to the implantable medical device. The method also includes inserting at least a portion of the implantable medical device into the bladder of the individual by way of the urinary tract of the individual. The step of performing the operation and communicating the information regarding the operation from within the bladder to the exterior of the individual by the implantable medical device is also set forth. The operating component can be a sensor for sensing a parameter of the bladder such as, for example, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure within the bladder or a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature within the bladder. Furthermore, the operating component can be a valve such as a fluid valve adapted to prevent a flow of fluid from the bladder of the individual. The fluid valve can be operated in accordance with the sensor. The pressure level determination is communicated to the exterior of the body of the individual. A control signal is transmitted from the exterior of the body of the individual to the implantable medical device within the body of the individual in accordance with the communicated pressure level determination. The fluid valve is operated in accordance with the control signal from the exterior of the body.

Claims

1. A method for communicating information between a bladder disposed within an individual and the exterior of the individual, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an implantable medical device having a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure within the bladder, a fluid valve adapted to prevent a flow of fluid from the bladder of the individual in accordance with the sensor and a communication device for providing communication regarding the pressure between the implantable medical device and the exterior of the individual and an energy source for applying energy to the implantable medical device;

(b) inserting at least a portion of the implantable medical device into the bladder of the individual by way of the urinary tract of the individual;

(c) determining when the pressure within the bladder reaches a predetermined level and permitting fluid flow from the bladder of the individual in response to the pressure level determination;

(d) communicating the pressure level determination to the exterior of the individual by the implantable medical device;

(e) applying a control signal from the exterior of the body of the individual to the implantable medical device within the body of the individual in accordance with the communicated pressure level determination; and

(f) operating the fluid valve by the implantable medical device in accordance with the control signal from the exterior of the body.

2. The method for communicating information of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device comprises an implantable receiver for receiving date from the exterior of the body of the individual and a plurality of operating components comprising the step of receiving by the implantable receiver an instruction provided in accordance with at least one operating component and operating at least one operating component in accordance with the received instructions.

3. The method for communicating information of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device is formed with an annular recessed region and step (b) comprises positioning the annular recessed region of the implantable medical device such that a bladder sphincter muscle surrounds and grips the annular recessed region to secure the implantable medical device.

4. The method for communicating information of claim 3, wherein the implantable medical device is secured in a position such that a portion of the implantable medical device extends into the interior of the bladder and a portion of the implantable medical device simultaneously extends into the exterior of the bladder.

5. The method for communicating information of claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises an artificial bladder.

6. The method for communicating information of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device comprises a further pressure sensor disposed outside the bladder when the implantable medical device is inserted in the body of the individual for sensing the pressure within the bladder.