Header design for implantable pulse generator

• US 8,190,259 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Smith, Galen L., Cox, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US12/100,814
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/37
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/04 Mounting of components , e.g. of leadless components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator for electrically stimulating a patient comprises: a metallic housing enclosing pulse generating circuitry; a header mechanically coupled to the metallic housing, the header adapted to seal terminals of one or more stimulation leads within the header and to provide electrical connections for the terminals; the header comprising an inner compliant component for holding a plurality of electrical connectors, the plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupled to the pulse generating circuitry through feedthrough wires, wherein the plurality of electrical connectors are held in place in recesses within the compliant inner component, the header further comprising an outer shield component adapted to resist punctures, the outer shield component fitting over at least a portion of the inner compliant component.

Claims

1. An implantable pulse generator for electrically stimulating a patient, comprising:

a metallic housing enclosing pulse generating circuitry; and

a header mechanically coupled to the metallic housing, the header adapted to seal terminals of a plurality of stimulation leads within the header and to provide electrical connections for the terminals, the header comprising an outer shield component, a plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupled to the pulse generating circuitry through feedthrough wires, and an inner compliant component;

wherein (i) the inner compliant component is an integral, single piece of compliant material, (ii) the inner compliant component comprises a plurality of walls defining a plurality of recesses, (iii) the plurality of electrical connectors are held in the plurality of recesses by an elastomeric force applied by the plurality of walls, (iv) the plurality of walls comprise a plurality of apertures defining two respective parallel channels through the inner compliant component, and (v) the outer shield component is fit over at least a portion of the inner compliant component containing the plurality of electrical connectors to protect the inner compliant component from punctures from surgical implant tools;

wherein (i) the header further comprises an antenna component that comprises an exterior shell enclosing an antenna for far field communications, (ii) the antenna comprises a plurality of discrete turns disposed in a substantially planar orientation relative to a top portion of the exterior shell, (iii) the exterior shell comprises a plurality of slots having reduced thickness in the exterior shell, and (iv) the discrete turns of antenna are disposed immediately beneath the plurality of slots of the exterior shell.

2. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the compliant inner component is fabricated using a silicone-based material.

3. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the outer shield component is fabricated using a relatively high durometer polycarbonate urethane material.

4. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the inner compliant component comprises one or more strain relief components for receiving one or more stimulation leads.

5. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is adapted to couple RF power from the antenna to fluid or tissue of the patient when the implantable pulse generator is implanted within the patient.

6. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell of the antenna component is fabricated using a relatively high durometer polycarbonate urethane material.

7. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the antenna component comprises an inner molded structure around which the antenna is wound.

8. The implantable pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a helical antenna.