Partitioned implantable system
First Claim
1. A method of configuring an implantable system comprising:
- (a) partitioning the functions of the implantable system into a plurality of implantable modules; and
(b) inductively coupling the plurality of implantable modules to each other, wherein the inductive coupling comprises;
connecting a coil to each module, wherein the coil is electrically connected to electrical components housed within each module;
positioning the coils of each module so that they are aligned with each other so as to allow electromagnetic coupling to occur been the aligned coils;
embedding the coils in a flexible molding attached to each module; and
engaging the flexible molding in which a first coil of a first implantable module is embedded with the flexible molding of a second coil of a second implantable module, wherein the engaging comprises;
aligning the first and second coils;
forming a hole in the flexible molding of the first implantable module;
forming a knob in the flexible molding of the second implantable module,wherein the knob has a size and shape adapted to permit the knob to be detachably inserted into the hole, and wherein when the knob is inserted into the hole the first and second coils are aligned; and
inserting the knob into the hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable system includes a plurality of implantable devices that are detachably coupled to each other. Each implantable device of the system includes: (1) an hermetically-sealed case housing electronic components; (2) feedthru terminals mounted to a wall of the hermetically-sealed case adapted to allow electrical contact from a location outside the hermetically-sealed case with the electronic components housed inside the hermetically-sealed case; (3) a coil external to the hermetically-sealed case attached to the feedthru terminals; (4) a flexible molding bonded to the hermetically-sealed case, and wherein the coil is embedded within or otherwise attached to the flexible molding; and (5) engagement means for engaging the flexible molding with a flexible molding of another implantable device of the implantable system. Such engagement means also aligns the coils of the implantable devices that are thus engaged with the engaging means to allow electromagnetic coupling to occur between the aligned coils. In one embodiment, the engaging means includes a hole formed in the flexible molding of a first implantable device and a knob portion formed in the flexible molding of a second implantable device, wherein the knob portion is sized to fit within the hole, and wherein when the knob portion is placed within the hole, the coil of the first device is coaxially aligned with the coil of the second implantable device.
132 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of configuring an implantable system comprising:
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(a) partitioning the functions of the implantable system into a plurality of implantable modules; and (b) inductively coupling the plurality of implantable modules to each other, wherein the inductive coupling comprises; connecting a coil to each module, wherein the coil is electrically connected to electrical components housed within each module; positioning the coils of each module so that they are aligned with each other so as to allow electromagnetic coupling to occur been the aligned coils; embedding the coils in a flexible molding attached to each module; and engaging the flexible molding in which a first coil of a first implantable module is embedded with the flexible molding of a second coil of a second implantable module, wherein the engaging comprises; aligning the first and second coils; forming a hole in the flexible molding of the first implantable module; forming a knob in the flexible molding of the second implantable module, wherein the knob has a size and shape adapted to permit the knob to be detachably inserted into the hole, and wherein when the knob is inserted into the hole the first and second coils are aligned; and inserting the knob into the hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of making an implantable system comprising steps for:
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(a) partitioning the implantable system into a plurality of implantable modules, each module having an hermetically-sealed case wherein electrical components associated with each module are housed; (b) providing electrical feedthru terminals that allow electrical connection to be made between the electrical components inside the hermetically-sealed case of each module with a terminal pin on the outside of the hermetically-sealed case; (c) attaching a coil to each of the plurality of modules, wherein each coil is external to the hermetically-sealed case of each module, and wherein each coil is electrically connected through the feedthru terminal pins with the electrical components on the inside the hermetically-sealed case; and (d) aligning the coils of each module with each other when the modules are implanted, wherein such aligning comprises; embedding the coils in a flexible molding attached to each module; forming a hole in the flexible molding of a first implantable module; forming a knob in the flexible molding of a second implantable module, wherein the knob has a size and shape adapted to permit the knob to be detachably inserted into the hole, and wherein when the knob is inserted into the hole the coil of the first implantable module is aligned with the coil of the second implantable module; and inserting the knob into the hole. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. An implantable system comprising a plurality of implantable devices detachably coupled to each other, each implantable device comprising:
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an hermetically-sealed case housing electronic components; feedthrough terminals mounted to a wall of the hermetically-sealed case adapted to allow electrical contact from a location outside the hermetically-sealed case with the electronic components housed inside the hermetically-sealed case; a coil external to the hermetically-sealed case attached to the feedthrough terminals; a first flexible molding bonded to the hermetically-sealed case, and wherein the coil is embedded within the first flexible molding; and engagement means for engaging the first flexible molding with a second flexible molding of another implantable device of the implantable system, wherein the engagement means also aligns the coils of the implantable devices that are engaged with the engaging means to allow electromagnetic coupling between the aligned coils, wherein engagement means comprises; a hole in the first flexible molding of a first implantable device and a knob in the second flexible molding of a second implantable device, and wherein the knob has a size and shape adapted to permit the knob to be detachably inserted into the hole, and wherein when the knob is inserted into the hole the coils of the first and second implantable devices are aligned with each other, thereby permitting electrical signals to be transferred through electromagnetic coupling between the coils of the first and second implantable devices. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification