Implantable medical devices having a liquid crystal polymer housing

• US 20080033500A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: NDI Medical, LLC
• Inventors: Strother, Robert B., Thrope, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing

Abstract

An implantable medical device having a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) housing. Circuitry is positioned within the housing to perform a predefined function, such as generate a stimulation waveform, or pump a fluid, or turn on a motor, for example. The circuitry may include a power source, and the power source may be a rechargeable power source.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising:

a housing comprising a molded liquid crystal polymer, and

circuitry positioned within the housing to perform a predefined function, the circuitry including a power source.

2. A device according to claim 1

wherein the power source is a rechargeable power source.

3. A device according to claim 2

wherein the circuitry further includes a receive coil to receive externally generated power from an external power transmitter, the received power to recharge the rechargeable power source.

4. A device according to claim 3

wherein the externally generated power is no more than two times the magnitude of the power received by the receive coil.

5. A device according to claim 1

the circuitry further including a microcontroller.

6. A device according to claim 5

wherein the microcontroller carries operating system code, the operating system code expresses pre-programmed rules or algorithms under which the predefined function is generated by the circuitry.

7. A device according to claim 1

the circuitry further including wireless telemetry circuitry.

8. A device according to claim 7

the wireless telemetry circuitry further including an antenna.

9. A device according to claim 1

wherein the predefined function is to generate a stimulation waveform, or to turn on a pump, or to turn on a motor.

10. An implantable medical device comprising:

a molded liquid crystal polymer housing having at least two housing components, the housing components defining a pocket, and the housing components having an exterior surface,

circuitry positioned within the pocket to perform a predefined function, the circuitry including a power source, and

at least one connection point accessible from the exterior of the housing, the connection point for electrically coupling an operative element to the circuitry positioned within the pocket.

11. A device according to claim 10

wherein the power source is a rechargeable power source.

12. A device according to claim 11

wherein the circuitry further includes a receive coil to receive externally generated power from an external power transmitter, the received power to recharge the rechargeable power source.

13. A device according to claim 12

wherein the externally generated power is no more than two times the magnitude of the power received by the receive coil.

14. A device according to claim 10

the circuitry further including a microcontroller.

15. A device according to claim 14

wherein the microcontroller carries operating system code, the operating system code expresses pre-programmed rules or algorithms under which the predefined function is are generated by the circuitry.

16. A device according to claim 10

the circuitry further including wireless telemetry circuitry.

17. A device according to claim 16

the wireless telemetry circuitry further including an antenna.

18. A device according to claim 17

wherein the antenna is contained within the pocket within the liquid crystal polymer housing.

19. A device according to claim 10

wherein the predefined function is to generate a stimulation waveform, or to turn on a pump, or to turn on a motor.

20. An implantable medical device comprising

a molded liquid crystal polymer (LCP) structure,

at least one conductive wire integrally molded within the LCP structure,

an operative element housed within the LCP structure, the operative element being electrically coupled to the at least one conductive wire, and

wherein the LCP structure is implanted within tissue or bone and is sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture.

21. A device according to claim 20

wherein the operative element is a circuit or battery or pump or motor.

22. A device according to claim 20

wherein the at least one conductive wire includes no treatment or is roughed-up or is pretreated with LCP, or glass, or ceramic, or another hermetic material.

23. A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device comprising:

molding liquid crystal polymer (LCP) into a first housing component,

molding LCP into a second housing component,

molding at least one conductive wire through either the first housing component or the second housing component, or both,

inserting an operative element into either the first housing component or the second housing component, the operative element being electrically coupled to the at least one conductive wire,

sealing the first housing component to the second housing component to produce a LCP housing that is resistant to the ingress of moisture, and

implanting the sealed housing within tissue or bone.

24. A method according to claim 23

wherein the operative element is a circuit or battery or pump or motor.

25. A device according to claim 23

wherein the operative element includes a rechargeable battery and a receive coil, the receive coil sized and configured to receive externally generated power to recharge the rechargeable battery.

26. A kit of devices for use of an implantable medical device comprising

a stimulation electrode sized and configured to be implanted in a targeted tissue region,

an implantable medical device housed in liquid crystal polymer,

a lead to couple the stimulation electrode to the implantable medical device, and

instructions for use of the implantable medical device.

27. The kit according to claim 26 the instructions further comprising

instructions for implanting the stimulation electrode in a targeted tissue region, coupling the stimulation electrode to the implantable medical device via the lead, and stimulating the targeted tissue region by conveying electrical stimulation waveforms from the implantable medical device to the stimulation electrode.