Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering

Christopher D Gongora

Dana Daniel Tompkins

Achim Kitschmann

Claude Clément

Jennifer Losasso-Tompkins

Tiago Bertolote

Claude CLÉMENT

An implantable device includes a low-profile housing having a cavity defined in a side thereof, and an element insertably removable with respect to the housing in a direction substantially parallel to a surgical plane of the implantable device. The element has a first portion adapted to be received in the housing cavity. The element further includes a second portion adapted to protrude from the housing upon insertion of the element into the housing cavity. The second portion includes at least one surface adapted for engagement with a surgical instrument for insertion and removal of the element with respect to the housing. A method for servicing the implantable device includes, at an incision proximate an implant location of the implantable device, insertably and removably accessing the element in a direction substantially parallel to a surgical plane of the implantable device.

Implantable medical devices with insertably removable elements

Implantable medical devices have a feedthrough from the device to the outside world to pass electrical current from electronics inside the implant to the patient or vice versa. A plurality of sensors and/or signal wires in a wire bundle must connect to the feedthrough and implant in living tissue in the patient. Chemical and physical forces work against the wire connections on the feedthrough. Disclosed embodiments include a biocompatible housing that can be used for an implantable medical device. The biocompatible housing includes a recess with at least one wire exit port, the recess having at least one feedthrough assembly mounted therein. A wire of the feedthrough assembly passes out the wire exit port, and the recess has a top hermetically sealed over it.

Biocompatible housing

Implantable medical devices have a feedthrough from the device to the outside world to pass electrical current from electronics inside the implant to the patient or vice versa. A plurality of sensors and/or signal wires must connect to the feedthrough and implant in living tissue. Chemical and physical forces work against the wire connections. Embodiments of the present invention include a biocompatible cap or top, shaped to attach onto a rim of the feedthrough device. One or more wire bundle ports are included on the cap. One or two layers of a sealant (e.g., epoxy) can be injected under the cap. A first layer can rigidly protect the wire bonds, and an elastomeric silicone can cover the epoxy for a flexible protector. Other embodiments include an implant housing with a recess for the feedthrough; a top can protect the recess. One or more sealants can cover the feedthrough.

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Lyons, CO, United States of America

Christopher D Gongora