HOLSTER FOR CHARGING PECTORALLY IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20070257636A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev, Phillips, William, Lewis, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A holster that may be donned in a first configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient'"'"'s right side, a second configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient'"'"'s left side, or a third configuration for use as a waist belt for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on either side of the patient.

Claims

1. A holster adapted to receive a power source for transcutaneously powering pectorally implanted medical devices in a patient having a torso and a shoulder, comprising:

a) a strap including a torso strap portion adapted to receive the torso of the patient and a shoulder strap portion operatively connected to the torso strap portion and adapted to be supported by the shoulder of the patient; and

b) a holder operatively connected to the strap and adapted to receive the power source.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the torso strap portion is adapted to receive the chest of the patient.

3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the torso strap portion is adapted to receive the waist of the patient.

4. The holster of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap is removable for use as a waist strap.

5. The holster of claim 1, wherein the torso strap is adjustable.

6. The holster of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap is adjustable.

7. The holster of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises an antenna holder adapted to receive an antenna.

8. The holster of claim 7, wherein the antenna holder has a top, a first side, and a second side, the torso strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and the shoulder strap has a third end and a fourth end, the first end being operatively connected to the first side of the antenna holder, the second end being releasably connectable to the second side of the antenna holder, the third end being operatively connected to the top of the antenna holder and the fourth end being operatively connected to the intermediate portion of the torso strap.

9. The holster of claim 7, wherein the antenna holder has a top and a bottom, the torso strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and the shoulder strap has a third end and a fourth end, the top being operatively connected to the third end, the bottom being releasably connectable to the intermediate portion, the fourth end being operatively connected to the intermediate portion, and the first and second ends being releasably connectable.

10. The holster of claim 7, wherein the holder further comprises a charging unit holder adapted to receive a charging unit connected to the antenna.

11. The holster of claim 10, wherein the antenna holder has a top, first and second opposing sides, and a first cavity adapted to receive the antenna, the charging unit holder has third and fourth opposing sides and a second cavity adapted to receive the charging unit, the third side being operatively connected to the first side, the torso strap has a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion, the first portion being operatively connected to the second side, the second portion being operatively connected to the fourth side, and the shoulder strap has a third portion operatively connected to the top of the antenna holder and a fourth portion operatively connected to the intermediate portion of the torso strap.

12. The holster of claim 10, wherein the charging unit holder is operatively connected to a hook member operatively connected to the torso strap.

13. The holster of claim 10, wherein the charging unit is a rechargeable power source.

14. The holster of claim 1, wherein the power source is a charging unit operatively coupled to a primary coil in an antenna by a cable, the charging unit and the antenna being housed in separate housings.

15. A combination of the holster of claim 1 with a recharger comprising a second power source and a primary coil for inductive coupling with a secondary coil of an implantable medical device having a rechargeable power source.

16. A system comprising the combination of claim 15 and an implantable medical device having a rechargeable power source and a secondary coil for inductive coupling with the primary coil of the recharger.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising allowing the pectorally implanted medical device power to become drained and powering the pectorally implanted medical device by donning the holster for a second time sufficient to power the pectorally implanted medical device by repeating steps e) through h) of claim 1.

17. A holster adapted to receive a power source for transcutaneously powering pectorally implanted medical devices in a patient having a torso and a shoulder, comprising:

a) a strap including a torso strap portion adapted to receive the torso of the patient and a shoulder strap portion operatively connected to the torso strap portion and adapted to be supported by the shoulder of the patient, the torso strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and the shoulder strap has a third end and a fourth end; and

b) a holder operatively connected to the strap and adapted to receive the power source, the holder having a top and a bottom, the top being operatively connected to the third end, the bottom being releasably connectable to the intermediate portion, the fourth end being operatively connected to the intermediate portion, and the first and second ends being releasably connectable.

18. The holster of claim 17, wherein a first connector and a second connector are operatively connected to the intermediate portion and a third connector is operatively connected to the bottom, the third connector being releasably connectable to the first connector and the second connector.

19. The holster of claim 17, wherein the torso strap portion is adapted to receive the chest of the patient.

20. The holster of claim 17, wherein the torso strap portion is adapted to receive the waist of the patient.

21. The holster of claim 17, wherein the torso strap is adjustable.

22. The holster of claim 17, wherein the shoulder strap is adjustable.

23. The holster of claim 17, further comprising a connecting strap interconnecting the bottom and the third connector, the third connector being slidable along the connecting strap.

24. The holster of claim 17, wherein the holder comprises an antenna holder adapted to receive an antenna.

25. The holster of claim 24, further comprising a charging unit holder adapted to receive a charging unit connected to the antenna, the charging unit holder having a fourth connector configured and arranged to releasably connect the charging unit holder to a connecting structure.

26. A holster adapted to receive a power source for transcutaneously powering pectorally implanted medical devices in a patient having a torso and a shoulder, comprising:

a) a strap including a torso strap portion adapted to receive the torso of the patient and a shoulder strap portion operatively connected to the torso strap portion and adapted to be supported by the shoulder of the patient, the shoulder strap portion having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively connected to the torso strap, the second end having a first connector;

b) a second connector operatively connected to the torso strap and configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the first connector;

c) a third connector operatively connected to the torso strap and configured and arranged to be releasably connectable to the first connector; and

d) a holder operatively connected to the strap and adapted to receive the power source.

27. The holster of claim 26, wherein the torso strap and the shoulder strap are adjustable.

28. The holster of claim 26, wherein the holder comprises an antenna holder adapted to receive an antenna.

29. The holster of claim 28, further comprising a charging unit holder adapted to receive a charging unit connected to the antenna, the charging unit holder having a fourth connector configured and arranged to releasably connect the charging unit holder to a connecting structure.

30. The holster of claim 28, wherein the antenna holder is operatively connected to the shoulder strap and the shoulder strap includes a connecting strap operatively connected to the antenna holder proximate a bottom of the antenna holder, the first connector being slidably connected to the connecting strap.

31. A method of transcutaneously powering a pectorally implanted medical device on a side of a patient having a torso and a shoulder with a power source, comprising

a) obtaining a holster comprising a holder and a strap including a torso strap and a shoulder strap, the torso strap being adapted to receive the torso of the patient and having a first connector and a second connector operatively connected to an intermediate portion of the torso strap, the intermediate portion being between releasably connectable ends of the torso strap, the shoulder strap being adapted to receive the shoulder of the patient and having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively connected to the intermediate portion, the second end being slidably connected to a third connector, the third connector being releasably connectable to the first connector and the second connector, the holder being operatively connected to the shoulder strap, wherein connecting the third connector to the first connector forms a first configuration and connecting the third connector to the second connector forms a second configuration;

b) locating the side of the patient'"'"'s pectorally implanted medical device;

c) determining which configuration corresponds with the side;

d) connecting the third connector to the first connector to form a loop with an opening between the torso strap and the shoulder strap;

e) placing the shoulder strap on the patient'"'"'s shoulder proximate the side;

f) securing the torso strap about the patient'"'"'s torso by connecting the releasably connectable ends of the torso strap;

g) adjusting the strap to position the holder proximate the pectorally implanted medical device; and

h) placing the power source in the holder proximate the pectorally implanted medical device.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising donning the holster for a time sufficient to power the pectorally implanted medical device and then removing the holster.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising allowing the pectorally implanted medical device power to become drained and powering the pectorally implanted medical device by donning the holster for a second time sufficient to power the pectorally implanted medical device.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the holster is removed by disconnecting the releasably connected ends of the torso strap and removing the shoulder strap from the patient'"'"'s shoulder.