Multiplexer for selection of an MRI compatible bandstop filter placed in series with a particular therapy electrode of an active implantable medical device

• US 8,788,057 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stevenson, Robert A., Kustra, Gabriel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porter, Jr., Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/817,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20100318160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/9, 607/63
• 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 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 1/0007 of radio frequency interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 2007/013 Notch or bandstop filters

Abstract

An MRI-compatible electronic medical therapy system includes an active medical device connected to a plurality of electrodes. A multiplexer circuit includes at least one circuit protection device in electrical series with the electrodes and the medical device. The circuit protection device is adapted to permit current flow therethrough during normal medical device related therapy, but substantially prevent current flow therethrough in the presence of an induced electromagnetic field.

Claims

1. An MRI-compatible implantable lead extending from a proximal lead end to a distal lead portion, the implantable lead comprising:

a) at least one lead conductor extending from a proximal lead conductor end to a distal lead conductor end, wherein the proximal lead conductor end resides at the proximal lead end and is electrically connectable to an active implantable medical device;

b) at least two therapy delivery or sensing electrodes that are adapted for insertion into or are contactable with biological tissue, wherein the at least two electrodes are supported by the distal lead portion;

c) at least one bandstop filter comprising a capacitance in parallel with an inductance, wherein the at least one bandstop filter is disposed physically and electrically in series with the at least one lead conductor distal the proximal lead conductor end, and wherein there are an equal number of the at least one bandstop filter as there are the at least one lead conductor, wherein there is at least one less lead conductor and bandstop filter than the at least two electrodes; and

d) a multiplexer disposed physically and electrically in series with the at least one lead conductor proximal the at least two electrodes, wherein the multiplexer houses the at least one bandstop filter, and wherein the multiplexer provides for selectively electrically connecting the at least one lead conductor and the at least one bandstop filter to one or none of the at least two electrodes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bandstop filter is adapted to permit current flow therethrough when not in the presence of an induced electromagnetic field, but substantially attenuate current flow in the presence of the induced electromagnetic field.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the induced electromagnetic field comprises an MRI RF field.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bandstop filter has a Q so as to resonate with a 3 dB bandwidth over a range of MRI frequencies.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the range of MRI frequencies is in the megahertz range.

6. An MRI-compatible implantable lead extending from a proximal lead end to a distal lead portion, the implantable lead comprising:

a) at least one lead conductor extending from a proximal lead conductor end to a distal lead conductor end, wherein the proximal lead conductor end resides at the proximal lead end and is electrically connectable to an active implantable medical device (AMD);

b) at least two therapy delivery or sensing electrodes that are adapted for insertion into or are contactable with biological tissue, wherein the at least two electrodes are supported by the distal lead portion;

c) at least one bandstop filter comprising a capacitance in parallel with an inductance, wherein the at least one bandstop filter is disposed physically and electrically in series with the at least one lead conductor distal the proximal lead conductor end, and wherein there are an equal number of the at least one bandstop filter as there are the at least one lead conductor, wherein there is at least one less lead conductor and bandstop filter than the at least two electrodes; and

d) a multiplexer disposed physically and electrically in series with the at least one lead conductor proximal the at least two electrodes, wherein the multiplexer houses the at least one bandstop filter, wherein the multiplexer provides for selectively electrically connecting the at least one lead conductor and the at least one bandstop filter to one or none of the at least two electrodes; and

e) wherein the at least one bandstop filter resonates when subjected to an induced MRI RF field so that the at least one bandstop filter permits current flow therethrough when not in the presence of the induced MRI RF field, but substantially attenuates current flow in the presence of the induced MRI RF field.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the bandstop filter has a Q so as to resonate with a 3dB bandwidth over a range of MRI frequencies.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the range of MRI frequencies is in the megahertz range.

9. An implantable lead extending from a proximal lead end to a distal lead portion, the implantable lead comprising:

a) at least one lead conductor extending from a proximal lead conductor end to a distal lead conductor end, wherein the proximal lead conductor end resides at the distal lead end and is electrically connectable to an active implantable medical device;

b) at least two therapy delivery or sensing electrodes that are adapted for insertion into or are contactable with biological tissue, wherein the at least two electrodes are supported by the distal lead portion;

c) at least one bandstop filter comprising a capacitance in parallel with an inductance, wherein the at least one bandstop filter is disposed physically and electrically in series with the at least one lead conductor distal the proximal lead conductor end, and wherein there are an equal number of the at least one bandstop filter as there are the at least one lead conductor, wherein there is at least one less lead conductor and bandstop filter than the at least two electrodes; and

d) a multiplexer disposed in electrical series with the lead conductor proximal the at least two electrodes, wherein the multiplexer houses the at least one bandstop filter, wherein the multiplexer provides for selectively electrically connecting the at least one lead conductor and the at least one bandstop filter to one or none of the at least two electrodes,

e) wherein the at least one bandstop filter permits current flow therethrough when not in the presence of an induced MRI RF field, but substantially attenuates current flow in the presence of the MRI RF field, and

f) wherein the bandstop filter has a Q so as to resonate with a 3 dB bandwidth in the megahertz range over a range of MRI frequencies.