Expandable fixation mechanism
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device comprising:
- a housing comprising a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end;
an electrode coupled to the housing;
a pulse generator coupled to the electrode; and
a plurality of collapsible fixation structures coupled to the housing, wherein the collapsible fixation structures are configured to collapse in a first direction toward the first end of the housing and in a second direction toward the second end, wherein the fixation structures include flanges, and the flanges each comprise a plurality of ribs and webbing deployed between at least two of the ribs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to a medical device implantable in a body of a patient. The device includes a housing with a plurality of collapsible fixation structures coupled to the housing, and can be in a collapsed configuration or an expanded configuration. The device assumes a collapsed configuration when in the bore of an insertion device, and assumes the expanded configuration when expelled from the insertion device into the body of the patient. The extended fixation structures engage the tissues in the body and restrict migration. One exemplary application of the invention is in the context of a microstimulator, with a pulse generator housed in the housing and one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The fixation structures help keep the electrodes proximate to the tissues that are to receive the stimulation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a housing comprising a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end; an electrode coupled to the housing; a pulse generator coupled to the electrode; and a plurality of collapsible fixation structures coupled to the housing, wherein the collapsible fixation structures are configured to collapse in a first direction toward the first end of the housing and in a second direction toward the second end, wherein the fixation structures include flanges, and the flanges each comprise a plurality of ribs and webbing deployed between at least two of the ribs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a pulse generator means for generating an electrical stimulation; a housing means for housing the pulse generator means, the housing means comprising a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end; an electrode means for delivering the electrical stimulation from the pulse generator means to a target tissue; and a plurality of collapsible fixation means coupled to the housing means for restricting migration of the housing means when the housing means is implanted proximate to the target tissue, wherein the collapsible fixation means are configured to collapse in a first direction toward the first end of the housing means and in a second direction toward the second end, wherein the collapsible fixation means each comprise a flange, wherein the flange comprises a plurality of ribs and webbing deployed between at least two of the ribs. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification