Modular implantable medical device

• US 20040176817A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Singhal, Ruchika, Skime, Robert M., Wahlstrand, Carl D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,212,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

An implantable medical device for implantation in the head of a patient. The implantable medical device has a plurality of interconnected modules one or more of which are covered by an overmold and one or more of which are partially covered by the overmold. The module(s) covered by the overmold may be implanted between the cranium and scalp, while the module(s) partially covered by the overmold may be placed at least partially into a recess in the cranium.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device for implantation in the head of a patient comprising:

a first module including a first housing and first operative component within the first housing;

a second module including a second operative component; and

a flexible overmold that covers the second module and partially covers the first module wherein the first housing extends out of the overmold for receipt in a first recess in a cranium of a patient.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the first housing is substantially cylindrical.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the second operative component includes a recharge coil.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 3, wherein the second module includes a second housing containing the recharge coil.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1 further comprising a third module that includes a third operative component.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 5, wherein the third module includes a third housing, and wherein the flexible overmold partially covers the third module wherein the third housing extends out of the overmold for receipt in a second recess in a cranium of a patient.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 6, wherein the first and third housings are each substantially cylindrical.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 5 wherein the overmold covers the third module.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the first operative component comprises control electronics and a therapy delivery circuit within the first housing.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 9, wherein the therapy delivery circuit comprises a pulse generator.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 10, wherein the first operative component further comprises a power source within the first housing, wherein the power source provides power to the control electronics and therapy delivery circuit.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 12, wherein the second operative component includes a recharge coil coupled to the power source for recharging the power source.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the recharge coil substantially encircles the first and second modules.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 5, wherein the third module is located outside of the overmold, and wherein the implantable medical device further comprises a flexible tether member that connects the third module to the overmold.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 8, wherein the flexible tether member comprises a helix.

17. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the flexible overmold comprises silicone.

18. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the flexible overmold comprises at least two materials.

19. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible interconnect member to couple the first and second modules.

20. The implantable medical device of claim 19, wherein the interconnect member is flexible in a plurality of directions and allows the first and second modules to have a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement relative to each other.

21. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the overmold is shaped for implantation on a cranium of a patient.

22. The implantable medical device of claim 1 in which the first housing has a height H₁, the second housing has a height H₂, the height H₁ is greater than the height H₂, and the first housing extends out of the overmold for receipt in a first recess in a cranium of a patient.

23. An implantable medical device for implantation in the head of a patient comprising:

a first module including a first housing and first operative component within the first housing, the first housing having a height H₁;

a second module including a second housing and second operative component within the second housing, the second housing having a height H₂; and

a flexible overmold that covers at least part of the first or second module;

wherein the height H₁ is greater than the height H₂ and the first housing extends out of the overmold for receipt in a first recess in a cranium of a patient.