Implantable pulse generator case

• US 7,337,003 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Malinowski, Zdzislaw B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOKLOSA, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US11/043,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20060167534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/37, 607/38
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

An implantable medical device, e.g., a stimulator, having a sealed housing and method of making the same. An exemplary embodiment of the device includes a case frame defining a cavity, the cavity extending at least substantially through the case frame, which cavity may contain electronics or a power source, and at least one lid configured to be sealingly coupled to the case frame. A feedthru opening may also be included in the case frame.

Claims

1. A case assembly, comprising:

a case frame having a perimeter portion defining a cavity extending completely through said case frame and configured to contain at least one electronic component, said perimeter portion comprising a first outer surface and a second outer surface disposed opposite said first outer surface;

a feedthru opening defined in said case frame;

a feedthru member configured to fit within said feedthru opening, sealingly couple to said case frame, and electrically couple to said at least one electronic component;

a first recessed lid seat disposed in said first outer surface of said perimeter portion;

a second recessed lid seat disposed in said second outer surface of said perimeter portion;

a first side lid configured to fit within said first recessed lid seat and sealingly couple to said case frame; and

a second side lid configured to fit within said second recessed lid seat and sealingly couple to said case frame.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first and second outer surfaces are substantially planar.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said feedthru member comprises:

a body including a circumferential flange; and

a plurality of electrically conductive pins extending through said body.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said feedthru opening comprises:

a lumen extending from an outer surface of said case frame to said cavity; and

a seat lip disposed within said lumen for seating a feedthru member.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said case frame comprises at least one of a titanium alloy, ceramic and plastic.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said case frame is a titanium alloy comprised of Ti 6 Al/4V.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one side lid comprises one of a braze-able biocompatible material or a weldable biocompatible material.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one side lid comprises one of a titanium alloy, a ceramic, or a polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said ceramic material comprises high density alumina.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a removable lead connector block, wherein the lead connector block is configured to be seated into a portion of the case frame;

a connector block cover that is movably connected to the case frame, and which connector block cover has an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the locked position the connector block cover secures the lead connector block to the case frame.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second side lids each have a thickness configured to minimize one or more effects of eddy current.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said case frame and said side lids are made of a machined material.

11. An implantable medical device comprising:

a power source;

pulse generating electronics coupled to said power source;

a case assembly including;

a case frame having a perimeter portion defining a cavity extending completely through said case frame and configured to contain said pulse generating electronics and said power source, said perimeter portion comprising a first outer surface and a second outer surface disposed opposite said first outer surface;

a feedthru opening defined in said case frame;

a feedthru member configured to fit within said feedthru opening, sealingly couple to said case frame, and electrically couple to said pulse generating electronics;

a first recessed lid seat disposed in said first outer surface of said perimeter portion;

a second recessed lid seat disposed in said second outer surface of said perimeter portion;

a first side lid configured to fit within said first recessed lid seat and sealingly couple to said case frame; and

a second side lid configured to fit within said second recessed lid seat and sealingly couple to said case frame.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

a removable lead connector block, wherein the lead connector block is configured to be seated into a portion of the case frame.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising:

a connector block cover that is movably connected to the case frame, which connector block cover has an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the locked position, the connector block cover secures the lead connector block to the case frame.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said power source comprises a replenishable power source.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein said first and second surfaces are substantially planar.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said first and second side lids each have a thickness configured to minimize one or more effects of eddy current.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein said case frame and said side lids are made of a machined material.