Drop and slide engagement for implantable medical device

• US 7,774,066 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Peters, Charles E, Zacharias, Eric H, Kast, John E, Deininger, Steve T
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bays; Pamela M
• Application Number:
  US11/529,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/32, 607 36- 38, 607/60, 607/2
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

An implantable medical device having a case with therapeutic componentry contained with the case. A module has a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of the module and is adapted to be mechanically secured to the case. The case has a rigid fastening channel adapted to receive the rail of the module. The rigid fastening channel has an opening allowing the rail of the module to drop into the rigid fastening channel through the opening and then slide along the rigid fastening channel to be mechanically secured to the case.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a first case;

a second case having a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of said second case, said second case adapted to be mechanically secured to said first case;

a coil selected from the group consisting of a telemetry coil and a charging coil;

a power source operatively coupled to said source;

a control module operatively coupled to said power source;

said first having rigid fastening channel adapted to receive said rail of said second case;

said rigid fastening channel having an opening allowing said rail of said second case to drop said rigid fastening channel through said opening and then slide along said rigid fastening channel to be mechanically secured to said first case;

said first case containing at least one of said coil, said power source and said control module; and

said second case containing those of said coil, said power source and said control module that are not contained within said first case;

wherein a chamber is created around a perimeter of said second case between said second case and said first case and further comprising a sealant substantially filling said chamber.

2. An implantable medical device as in claim 1 wherein said second case has an opening allowing said chamber to be substantially filled with said sealant.

3. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a first case;

a second case having a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of said second case, said second case adapted to be mechanically secured to said first case;

a coil selected from the group consisting of a telemetry coil and a charging coil;

a power source operatively coupled to said coil;

a control module operatively coupled to said power source;

said first case having a rigid fastening channel adapted to receive said rail of said second case;

said rigid fastening channel having an opening allowing said rail of said second case to drop into said rigid fastening channel through said opening and then slide along said rigid fastening channel to be mechanically secured to said first case;

said first case containing at least of said coil, said power source and said control module; and

said second case containing those of said coil, said power source and said control module that are not contained within said first case;

wherein said control module and said power source are contained within said first case, and wherein said coil is contained within said second case.

4. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a first case;

a second case having a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of said second case, said second case adapted to be mechanically secured to said first case;

a coil selected from the group consisting of a telemetry coil and a charging coil;

a power source operatively coupled to said coil;

a control module operatively coupled to said power source;

said first case having a rigid fastening channel adapted to receive said rail of said second case;

said rigid fastening channel allowing said rail of said second case to slide along said rigid fastening channel to be mechanically secured to said first case;

wherein a chamber is created around a perimeter of said second case between said second case and said first case and further comprising a sealant substantially filling said chamber;

said first case containing at least one of said coil, said power source, and said control module; and

said second case containing those of said coil, said power source, and said control module that are not contained within said first case.

5. An implantable medical device as in claim 4 wherein said second case has an opening allowing said chamber to be substantially filled with said sealant.

6. An implantable medical device as in claim 5 wherein said control module and said power source are contained within said first case, and wherein said coil is contained within said second case.

7. A method of assembling an implantable medical device having a coil selected from the group consisting of telemetry coil and a charging coil, a power source operatively coupled to said coil, a control module operatively coupled to said power source, a first case with a rigid fastening channel and a second case having a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of said second case, comprising the steps of:

locating at least one of said coil, said power source and said control module in ease;

locating those of said coil, said power source, and said control module that are not contained within case within said second case;

dropping said rail of said second case into an opening in said rigid faster channel of said first case;

sliding said second case along said rigid fastening channel until said second case is mechanically secured to said first case;

creating a chamber around a perimeter of said second case between said second case and said case; and

substantially filling said chamber with a sealant.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein said substantially filling step is accomplished through an opening in said module.

9. A method of assembling an implantable medical device having a coil selected from the group consisting of a telemetry coil and a charging coil, a power source operatively coupled to said coil, a control module operatively coupled to said power source, a case with a rigid fastening channel, therapeutic componentry contained within said case and a second case having a rail around at least a portion of a perimeter of said second case, comprising the steps of:

locating at least one of said coil, said power source and said control module in said first case;

locating those of said coil, said power source, and said control module that are not contained within said first case within said second case;

sliding said rail of said second case along said rigid fastening channel until said second case is mechanically secured to said case forming a chamber around a perimeter of said second case between said second case and said case; and

substantially filling said chamber with a sealant.

10. A method as in claim 9 further comprising the step of providing feedback to mechanically securing said second case to said case through complementary mechanical detents on said rigid fastening channel and said rail of said module.

11. A method as in claim 9 further comprising the step of locking said second case in mechanical engagement with said case through at least one locking tab preventing said second case from disengaging from said case once said second case is mechanically secured to said case.

12. A method as in claim 9 wherein said substantially filling step is accomplished through an opening in said module.