Resonance tuning module for implantable devices and leads

• US 8,209,029 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gray, Robert W., MacDonald, Stuart G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bays, Pamela M
• Application Number:
  US11/926,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20080130194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/5, 607/37, 607/116, 607/63, 361/270, 361/302, 600/411
• US Class Current: 607/63
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• 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 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

An implantable medical assist device includes a medical device. The medical device has a housing and electronics contained therein. A lead provides an electrical path to or from the electronics within the medical device. A resonance tuning module is located in the housing and is connected to the lead. The resonance tuning module includes a control circuit for determining a resonant frequency of the implantable medical assist device and an adjustable impedance circuit to change the combined resonant frequency of the medical device and lead.

Claims

1. An electrode, comprising:

a conductive housing having an axis;

an inner conductive layer positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing;

a dielectric material positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing between said conductive housing and said inner conductive layer to form a capacitor;

an inductor coil positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing and having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the inductor coil is connected to said inner conductive layer and the second end of the inductor coil is connected to the conductive housing to form a resonant circuit; and

a conductive connection element adapted to electrically couple the first end of the inductor coil to a wire of a lead.

2. The electrode as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive housing is substantially cylindrical.

3. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, wherein said conductive housing is substantially cylindrical and said inner conductive layer is substantially ring-shaped.

4. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inductor coil and said capacitor have a resonance frequency substantially equal to an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

5. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inductor coil and said capacitor have a resonance frequency substantially equal to a harmonic of an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

6. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inductor coil and said capacitor have a resonance frequency not perfectly tuned to an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

7. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a nonconductive spacer positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing between said inductor coil and a conductive wire.

8. The electrode as claimed in claim 7, wherein said non-conductive spacer includes pass-through holes for enabling multiple conductive wires to pass therethrough.

9. The electrode as claimed in claim 7, wherein said non-conductive spacer is substantially ring-shaped.

10. The electrode as claimed in claim 7, wherein said non-conductive spacer is located within a lumen of said inductor coil.

11. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a heat sink.

12. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a heating absorbing material.

13. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a heating wicking material.

14. The electrode as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a heating removing system.

15. An electrode, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical conductive housing having an axis;

a substantially cylindrical inner conductive layer positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing;

a dielectric material positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing between said conductive housing and said inner conductive layer to form a capacitor; and

an inductor coil positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing and connected to said inner conductive layer and to said conductive housing to form a parallel resonant circuit; and

a conductive connection element adapted to electrically couple the parallel resonant circuit in series with a wire of a lead.

16. The electrode as claimed in claim 15, wherein said inductor and said capacitor have a resonance frequency substantially equal to an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

17. The electrode as claimed in claim 15, wherein said inductor and said capacitor have a resonance frequency substantially equal to a harmonic of an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

18. The electrode as claimed in claim 15, wherein said inductor coil and said capacitor have a resonance frequency not perfectly tuned to an operating frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

19. The electrode as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a nonconductive spacer positioned coaxially to the axis of the conductive housing between said inductor coil and a conductive wire.