Orientation-independent implantable pulse generator
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
- a case having opposing external surfaces;
electronic circuitry contained within the case for performing a therapeutic function for the patient; and
a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy from an external device, wherein the received energy provides power to the electronic circuitry, the coil being wound in a plane parallel to the surfaces, wherein the coil is substantially equidistant between the surfaces,wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved structure for an implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator, is disclosed. The improved device includes a charging coil for wirelessly receiving energy via induction from an external charger. The charging coil in the device is located substantially equidistantly from the two planar sides of the device case. Because the coil is substantially equidistant within the thickness of the case of the device, the device'"'"'s orientation within the patient is irrelevant, at least from the standpoint of the efficiency of charging the device using the external charger. Accordingly, charging is not adversely affected if the device is implanted in the patient with the wrong orientation, or if the device flips within the patient after implantation. Moreover, because the central portion of the device naturally corresponds to the largest lateral extent within the case due to the case'"'"'s curved edges, the charging coil can be made larger in area, which improves its gain vis-à-vis the external charger.
153 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a case having opposing external surfaces; electronic circuitry contained within the case for performing a therapeutic function for the patient; and a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy from an external device, wherein the received energy provides power to the electronic circuitry, the coil being wound in a plane parallel to the surfaces, wherein the coil is substantially equidistant between the surfaces, wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a case having opposing external surfaces; electronic circuitry contained within the case for performing a therapeutic function for the patient; a battery for powering the electronic circuitry; and a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy from an external device, wherein the received energy provides power to recharge the battery, the coil being wound in a plane parallel to the surfaces, wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has aft edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
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a case having opposing external surfaces; at least one electrode for providing therapeutic stimulation to a patient; electronic circuitry contained within the case for providing the therapeutic stimulation to the at least one electrode; a battery for powering the electronic circuitry; and a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy from an external device, wherein the received energy provides power to recharge the battery, wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device, comprising; a case having opposing external surfaces; electronic circuitry contained within the case for performing a therapeutic function for the patient; and a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy, wherein the received energy provides power to the electronic circuitry, the coil being wound in a plane parallel to the surfaces, wherein the coil is substantially equidistant between the surfaces, wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges; and an external charger for producing the energy. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device, comprising; a case having opposing external surfaces; electronic circuitry contained within the case for performing a therapeutic function for the patient; a battery for powering the electronic circuitry; and a coil contained within the case configured for wirelessly receiving energy from an external device, wherein the received energy provides power to recharge the battery, the coil being wound in a plane parallel to the surfaces, wherein the case in cross section though the external surfaces has edges comprised of curved regions each meeting with only one of the external surfaces and a straight center region between the curved regions, and wherein the coil in the cross section is positioned entirely within the straight center regions of the edges; and an external charger for producing the energy. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification