Implantable medical device and method with a dual power source incorporating electrolyte additive 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide

• US 7,337,001 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Craig L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US11/381,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20060276851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 607/34, 607/2, 607/16, 607/27, 607/60
• US Class Current: 607/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

An implantable medical device includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the device and for obtaining physiological data from a patient in which the medical device is implanted. The implanted device also includes a communication circuit for transmitting the physiological data to an external device. A first power source is coupled to the control circuit and provides power to the control circuit. A second power source is coupled to the communication circuit and provides power to the communication circuit.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a control circuit to control the operation of the implantable medical device and to obtain physiological data from a patient in which the implantable medical device is implanted;

a communication circuit coupled to the control circuit to transmit the physiological data to an external device;

a first power source positioned within the device and coupled to the control circuit to provide power to the control circuit;

a second power source positioned within the device and coupled to the communication circuit to provide power to the communication circuit; and

an electrolyte that commonly activates the first and second power sources, the electrolyte includes 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a battery.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 2, wherein the battery comprises at least one of a Li/CF_x-CSVO, Li/CSVO, Li/CF_x, Li/MnO₂, Li/l2, and Li/SOCl₂ battery.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the second power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 4, wherein the rechargeable battery comprises at least one of a lithium-ion and a nickel/metal-hydride battery.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

switch to couple the first power source to the communication circuit upon occurrence of a first predetermined event.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 6, wherein the first and second power sources each have a remaining power level associated therewith, the device further comprising:

a sensor coupled to the first and second power sources to sense the remaining power level of at least one of the first power source and second power source.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 7, wherein the first predetermined event includes the sensor sensing the remaining power level of the second power source being below a remaining power level threshold.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 7, wherein the switch couples the second power source to the control circuit upon occurrence of a second predetermined event.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the second predetermined event includes the sensor sensing the remaining power level of the first power source being below a remaining power level threshold.

11. A method for incorporating a power source in an implantable medical device, comprising the steps of:

providing power to a control circuit by a first power source positioned within the device, the control circuit obtaining physiological data of a patient in which at least the control circuit is implanted;

providing power to a communication circuit by a second power source positioned within the device, wherein at least one of the first and second power sources includes 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide in an electrolyte; and

transmitting the physiological data from the communication circuit to an external device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

sensing a remaining power level of the second power source;

determining if the remaining power level has fallen below a predetermined threshold; and

providing power to the communication circuit by the first power source in response to determining that the remaining power level has fallen below the predetermined threshold.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

sensing a remaining power level of the first power source;

determining if the remaining power level has fallen below a predetermined threshold; and

providing power to the control circuit by the second power source in response to determining that the remaining power level has fallen below the predetermined threshold.