METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLEXIBLE BATTERY FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE

• US 20070156184A1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Root, Michael, Youker, Nick
• Granted Patent: US 7,985,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0565 Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/121 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/512 Connection only in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for storing energy, the apparatus having a first portion comprising a flexible substrate containing a polymer electrolyte and a second portion adapted to provide a conformable housing surrounding the first portion; wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide a source of energy to an implantable device. The apparatus defines a flexible implantable device capable of traversing the circulatory system of a body with minimal obstruction of flow within the circulatory system. Further provided is a method of implanting an power source within the circulatory system of a subject'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implantation in vasculature, comprising:

a plurality of substantially planar battery electrodes arranged in a stack;

a transducer connected to the stack;

a wireless transmitter connected to the stack and to the transducer;

one or more flexible conductors interconnecting the stack, the transducer, and the wireless transmitter; and

a biocompatible flexible housing enclosing the stack, the transducer, and the wireless transmitter, the biocompatible flexible housing adapted to allow the stack and the transducer to move with respect to one another.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transducer is a pressure transducer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is a radio transmitter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is an ultrasonic transmitter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible flexible housing include a thermoplastic urethane polymer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the biocompatible flexible housing has an elasticity which is less than the elasticity of the vasculature.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stack is a first stack, and further comprising at least a second stack disposed in the biocompatible flexible housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one or more flexible conductors interconnect the first stack and at least the second stack in parallel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one or more flexible conductors interconnect the first stack and at least the second stack in series.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible flexible housing is elongate, and the stack, the transducer, and the wireless transmitter are configured along the biocompatible flexible housing in a column orientation.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the biocompatible flexible housing is substantially cylindrical.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first and second electrode connected to the transducer and sealingly extending through the biocompatible flexible housing, wherein the transducer is adapted to convert power from the stack to a voltage at the electrodes.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising neurostimulation electronics adapted to regulate the voltage at the first and second electrodes.

14. An apparatus for implantation in vasculature, comprising:

a battery means for flexing in use when a mechanical bias influences the battery;

a transducer connected to the battery;

a wireless transmitter connected to the battery and to the transducer;

one or more flexible conductors interconnecting the battery, the transducer, and the wireless transmitter; and

housing means for enclosing the battery such that the battery and the transducer can bend in relation to one another.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing means include a thermoplastic urethane polymer material.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the battery includes lithium.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the battery is flexible and is adapted to conform to a mechanical bias introduced by the vasculature.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the battery is substantially inflexible.

19. A method for disposing a device at an implant site, comprising:

stacking a plurality of battery electrodes into a stack;

disposing the stack, a transducer, and a wireless transmitter in a biocompatible flexible housing; and

implanting the biocompatible flexible housing at the implant site, with implanting including bending the biocompatible flexible housing to conform to the implant site.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising disposing a plurality of batteries in the biocompatible flexible housing.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising stimulating the implant site with the transducer.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising recording pressure data with the transducer and broadcasting the pressure data using the wireless transmitter.