Thermal management of implantable medical devices
First Claim
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1. An implantable device comprising:
- an active component configured to perform medical activities;
a charging component disposed on a surface of the active component, the charging component configured to convert energy from outside a body in which the implantable device is implanted into potential energy, the charging component having a planar surface that conforms to the surface of the active component; and
a thermal barrier disposed between the charging component and the active component, wherein the thermal barrier thermally isolates the charging component from the active component so that thermal resistance between the charging component and the active component is above the thermal resistance between the charging component and the body.
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Abstract
Systems and techniques for thermal management of implantable medical devices. In one aspect an implantable device includes an active component configured to perform medical activities, a charging component configured to convert energy from outside a body in which the implantable device is implanted into potential energy, and a thermal barrier between the charging component and the active portion. The thermal barrier thermally isolates the charging component from the active portion so that thermal resistance between the charging component and the active component is above the thermal resistance between the charging component and the body.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An implantable device comprising:
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an active component configured to perform medical activities; a charging component disposed on a surface of the active component, the charging component configured to convert energy from outside a body in which the implantable device is implanted into potential energy, the charging component having a planar surface that conforms to the surface of the active component; and a thermal barrier disposed between the charging component and the active component, wherein the thermal barrier thermally isolates the charging component from the active component so that thermal resistance between the charging component and the active component is above the thermal resistance between the charging component and the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An implantable pulse generator configured to deliver electrical pulses to tissue of a body over one or more electrodes, the implantable pulse generator comprising:
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a thermally sensitive portion that comprises a component whose function or lifespan can be impaired by the change in temperature accompanying the conversion of energy from outside the body into potential energy by the charging component; a thermally insensitive portion comprising a charging component configured to convert energy from outside a body in which the implantable pulse generator is implanted into potential energy, wherein the conversion is accompanied by a change in temperature, the thermally insensitive portion disposed on a surface of the thermally sensitive portion and having a planar surface that conforms to the surface of the thermally sensitive portion; and a thermal barrier between the thermally insensitive portion and the thermally sensitive portion, wherein the thermal barrier thermally isolates the thermally insensitive portion from the thermally sensitive portion so that thermal resistance between the thermally insensitive portion and the thermally sensitive portion is above the thermal resistance between the thermally insensitive portion and the body. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A microstimulator dimensioned to be implanted in a body through a cannula of a surgical tool for performing closed surgical procedures, the microstimulator being configured to deliver electrical pulses to tissue of a body in which the microstimulator is implanted the microstimulator comprising:
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a casing; a charging coil configured to convert an electric field or a magnetic field generated outside the body into potential energy, wherein the conversion is accompanied by a change in temperature the coil disposed on a surface of the casing and having a planar surface that conforms to the surface of the casing; electrical circuitry contained within the casing to manage delivery of the electrical pulses to the tissue of the body; and a thermal barrier between the charging coil and the electrical circuitry, wherein the thermal barrier thermally isolates the charging coil from the electrical circuitry so that thermal resistance between the charging coil and the electrical circuitry is above the thermal resistance between the charging coil and the body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification