Intravascular implant anchors having remote communication and/or battery recharging capabilities

• US 8,239,037 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interventional Autonomics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Synecor LLC
• Inventors: Glenn, Richard A., Fifer, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US12/459,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 607/61, 607/116, 434/320, 606/309, 606/158, 606/194
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A medical implant system comprises an implant proportioned for implantation within a blood vessel, a lead coupled to the implant, and an anchor coupled to the lead, the anchor configurable in a radially compressed position so as to be positioned in the blood vessel, and a radially expanded position for engagement with the wall of blood vessel. The anchor functions as an antenna for telemetric communication with an extracorporeal device and/or as a receiver for inductive recharging of secondary cells in the implant using an extracorporeal charging device.

Claims

1. A medical implant system comprising:

an implant proportioned for implantation within a blood vessel;

a lead coupled to the implant; and

an anchor coupled to the lead, the anchor configurable in a radially compressed position so as to be positioned in the blood vessel, and configurable in a radially expanded position to retain the anchor within the blood vessel, the anchor comprising an anchoring coil; and

an extracorporeal device including a primary coil energizable to create an electromagnetic field that in turn induces current in the coil of the anchor.

2. The medical implant system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes an electrical pulse generator.

3. The medical implant system of claim 2, wherein the anchor further includes stimulation electrodes for delivering therapeutic energy.

4. The medical implant system of claim 1, wherein the primary coil is positioned on a garment configured to be worn by a patient.

5. The medical implant system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes a battery and wherein the coil is electrically coupled to the battery for recharging the battery.

6. The medical implant system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes a telemetry interface.

7. A method of recharging a medical implant, comprising the steps of:

positioning a medical implant within a living body, the medical implant including a housing containing a battery and a lead extending from the housing;

anchoring the lead in a blood vessel of the patient using an expandable anchor comprising an anchoring-coil, wherein anchoring the lead includes expanding the coil within the blood vessel;

positioning an extracorporeal charging device in proximity to the blood vessel containing the lead, the charging device including a primary coil; and

energizing the primary coil to create an electromagnetic field that in turn induces current in the coil of the anchor.