Construction for an implantable medical device having a battery affixed to the case

• US 9,737,721 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2016
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bunyan, Navin N., Tong, Robert R., Hampton, Kurt Douglas, Funderburk, Jeffery Van
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHAND, JENNIFER LEIGH-STEWAR
• Application Number:
  US15/096,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20160220827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Designs and methods of construction for an implantable medical device employ an internal support structure. The single-piece support structure holds various electronic components such as a communication coil and a circuit board, and further is affixed to a battery, thus providing a subassembly that is mechanically robust. The support structure further provides electrical isolation between these and other components. A method of construction allows for the subassembly to be adhered to a case of the implantable medical device at the battery, and possibly also at the support structure. The battery includes an insulating cover having holes. An adhesive is used consistent with the location of the holes to affix the battery to the case without electrically shorting the battery to the case.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a case;

circuitry within the case configured to implement the functionality of the implantable medical device; and

a battery within the case electrically coupled to the circuitry, wherein the battery comprises an insulative coating having at least one hole, and wherein the battery is affixed to the case by an adhesive through the at least one hole.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a primary battery.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises glue.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a silicone adhesive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive electrically isolates the battery from the case at the at least one hole.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the battery is affixed to only the first portion.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising an air gap between the battery and the second portion.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a support structure, wherein the battery is affixed to the support structure.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support structure is affixed to the case.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising an antenna affixed to the support structure and electrically coupled to the circuitry.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the antenna is recessed in the support structure.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the antenna comprises a communication coil, a charging coil, or a combined communication and charging coil.

13. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a case;

a support structure within the case;

circuitry within the case and configured to implement the functionality of the implantable medical device;

a battery within the case and electrically coupled to the circuitry, wherein the battery is affixed to the support structure;

an insulating sleeve that surrounds at least a portion of the battery, wherein the insulating sleeve is a plastic sleeve that has at least one hole and is configured to slip over the battery; and

an adhesive that affixes the battery to the case through the at least one hole, wherein the battery is electrically isolated from the case by the insulating sleeve and the adhesive.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the battery comprises a primary battery.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the adhesive comprises glue.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the adhesive comprises double-sided tape.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is affixed to the support structure.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising an antenna recessed within the support structure.