Molding device to precisely hold a recharge antenna

• US 8,612,015 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Dan Sr. Knifong
• Original Assignee: James Dan Sr. Knifong
• Inventors: Knifong, James Dan Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEHRINGER, LUTHER G
• Application Number:
  US13/799,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20130253614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 607/61
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A method of making a custom mold and the custom mold itself having a first layer, a second layer, and a tail that are formed around the bulging area of an implantable medical device (IMD) are presented. The moldable material during hardening is flattened to form a docking platform for the flat planar bottom of an external antenna. The final apparatus of an antenna support may have all the custom contours of the patient'"'"'s body around the implanted IMD. An optional tape patch and/or bandage may help maintain a proper placement of the external antenna over the IMD depending on amount of mobility the patient wishes to have during charging. An alternate embodiment uses magnets to secure an external antenna over a metallic segment of an IMD.

Claims

1. A method to efficiently charge a surgically implanted medical device (IMD) which is under the skin of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

a. applying a first layer of moldable material on an outer skin surface around the perimeter of the location of the IMD;

b. placing an object with a flat surface on top of the first layer of moldable material so as to create a top level surface on the first layer of moldable material;

c. allowing the first layer of moldable material to set;

d. placing an external charging antenna on the first layer of molded material in an optimum position for charging the IMD;

e. applying a second layer of moldable material around the external charging antenna and allowing the second layer of moldable material to set to form a unique molded cast around the external charging antenna; and

f. allowing the external charging antenna to rest in the unique molded cast until the IMD is charged the desired amount.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reclining the patient back at an angle between about 5°

and about 70°

from an upright seated position during charging.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of further securing the external charging antenna in the unique molded cast with an elastic or an adhesive member.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a third layer of moldable material in contact with said second and/or first layer of moldable material and extending over or around an anchor point on the patient'"'"'s body and allowing the third layer of moldable material to set to form a unique molded cast.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor point is a clavicle bone.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor point is an ear.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor point is a subcutaneous cable.

8. A method to efficiently charge an implanted battery operated medical device (IMD) which is surgically implanted under the skin so as to form a bulging target area above a normal skin surface area, the method comprising the steps of:

a. applying a first layer of moldable material around the bulging target area;

b. placing a flat plate on top of the applied moldable material so as to create a level surface on the same plane as the bulging target area;

c. placing an external charging antenna on the formed molded layer in an optimum position for charging the implanted battery operated medical device;

d. applying a second layer of moldable material on top of the first layer of moldable material and around the external charging antenna to form a unique molded cast;

e. stabilizing the external charging antenna with the unique molded cast in an optimum position for charging the implanted battery operated medical device; and

f. allowing the external charging antenna to rest in the unique molded cast until the IMD is charged the desired amount.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising applying a third layer of moldable material in contact with said second and/or first layer of moldable material and extending over or around an anchor point on the patient'"'"'s body.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the anchor point is a clavicle bone.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the anchor point is an ear.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising using an attachment device to further secure the external charging antenna to the skin and/or to the unique molded cast.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising using at least one elastic fabric strip to secure the external charging antenna and unique molded cast to a patient'"'"'s chest.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of using two elastic fabric strips, one around the chest, and a second over a shoulder, to further secure the external charging antenna and the unique molded cast.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of using magnets in the implanted medical device and the external charging antenna.