Implantable medical device with reduced MRI image distortion

• US 7,890,165 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Conroy, Mark J., Wahlstrand, Carl D., Scott, Erik R., Kast, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stice; Paula J
• Application Number:
  US12/706,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 600410-411
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3875 using correction coil assemblies, e.g. active shimming
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/56572 caused by a distortion of a gradient magnetic field, e.g. non-linearity of a gradient magnetic field G01R33/56509, G01R33/56518, G01R33/56536 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0587 of accumulators having only wound construction elements, i.e. wound positive electrodes, wound negative electrodes and wound separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/119 : Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/121 : Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/122 : Composite material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/14 : for protecting against damage caused by external factors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/147 : Lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 : Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 : Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 : Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making

Abstract

An implantable medical device includes a housing and a circuit board provided within the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of electronic components electrically coupled thereto. At least one non-functional component is provided on the circuit board and formed from a material that has an electromagnetic permeability configured to reduce the amount of image distortion caused by at least one of the plurality of electronic components when the device is subject to a magnetic field during an MRI scan.

Claims

1. A method of reducing MRI image degradation caused by an implantable medical device comprising:

providing a circuit board having a plurality of electronic components;

determining which of the plurality of electronic components are likely to cause MRI image degradation when the implantable medical device is subjected to a magnetic field during an MRI scan; and

providing at least one non-functional component on the circuit board proximate at least one of the electronic components that is likely to cause MRI image degradation;

wherein the non-functional component is configured to reduce the amount of image distortion caused by at least one of the plurality of electronic components when the device is subject to a magnetic field during an MRI scan and is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, silver, copper, manganese, aluminum, and alloys and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-functional component is provided as a block of material.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the circuit board in a housing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a material in contact with at least a portion of the housing to reduce the amount of MRI image degradation caused by at least one of the housing and an electronic component provided within the housing.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the material provided in contact with at least a portion of the housing is selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, silver, copper, manganese, aluminum, and alloys and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a material provided in contact with at least a portion of the housing is provided as a strip of material welded to the housing.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device is selected from the group consisting of a neurological stimulation device, a defibrillator, a pacemaker, a cardioverter, a cardiac contractility modulator, a drug administration device, a cochlear implant, a hearing aid, a sensor, a telemetry device, and a diagnostic recorder.