Cyberonics, Inc.

Livanova USA, Inc.

David L Thompson

Eric Y Chow

Saadat Hussain

Anthony W Cowley

Rajesh Ramesh

Jared Brandon Floyd

James L Flesher

Jason F Lindh

Milton M Morris

Steven W Allis

Jianxiang Shen

Shan E Gaw

Steven E Maschino

Himanshu Joshi

Jonathan D Rowell

Robert J Chilton

Charles Ritrivi

Jeffrey B Stewart

John E Rodriguez

Eric M Lewis

A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.

MRI-safe implantable lead assembly

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable pulse generator includes a housing, a header, and a retainer device. The housing includes circuitry and a battery. The header is coupled to the housing and includes a bore configured to receive an end of a lead, and a passage disposed transverse to the bore and extending between an exterior surface of the header and an anchor cavity that extends into the header from the bore. The header supports at least one electrical contact within the bore coupled to the circuitry. The retainer device includes a looped member arranged within the bore, a proximal end extending at least partially into the passage, and anchored at a distal end by the anchor cavity. The looped member has a first position defining a first loop diameter that permits egress of the lead into the bore and a second position defining a second loop diameter that occludes at least a portion of the bore and is configured to engage at least two opposing sides of the lead sufficiently to prevent egress of the lead from the bore. The first loop diameter is greater than the second loop diameter.

Lead engagement devices and methods for electrical stimulation and/or monitoring systems

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable electrical system may include an implantable pulse generator with a bore sized to receive an electrical lead, with an engagement mechanism that does not require the use of set screws to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may include a deformable component that may be moved or deformed to allow entry of the lead into the bore, and then moved or deformed again to engage a surface of the lead to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may allow rotation of the lead within the bore while maintaining electrical connections between the generator and the lead. The engagement mechanism may also allow the securing and/or release of the lead relative to the bore without the need to manipulate a set screw or breach a seal of the generator.

A particular implantable device includes one or more electrode connectors and multiple circuit elements within a housing. The implantable medical device may also include one or more switches, where each switch of the one or more switches is coupled between one or more of the multiple circuit elements and at least one electrode connector of the one or more electrode connectors.

Implantable medical device switch matrix

A method and system for management of thermal energy produced during transcutaneous energy transmission to provide power to energize implanted medical devices. A phase changing material (PCM) acts as a heat sink to absorb thermal energy generated during the energy transfer process. The PCM can be thermally coupled to tissue proximate to an implanted medical device, enabling heat generated within the implantable device to be absorbed. The generation of heat during the energy transfer process is primarily caused by eddy currents induced in the implantable device by the magnetic flux produced by the energy transfer system. The PCM can also be used to absorb heat generated by the device producing the magnetic flux that is used to transcutaneously transfer electrical power to recharge a rechargeable power source or energize the implanted medical device.

Phase change material as a dynamic heat sink for trancutaneous energy transmission systems

A case for an implantable medical device includes a metal case portion, having an inside and an outside, configured to attach to at least one other case portion to define a biocompatible case for the implantable medical device. The metal case portion has a plurality of grooves disposed on at least one of the inside and the outside, the grooves being oriented substantially perpendicular to an expected direction of eddy currents produced by an inductive recharging coil in proximity thereto.

Inductively rechargeable implantable device with reduced eddy currents

A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a stimulation module powered by the charge storage element. The stimulation module may be operative to generate an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate a target nerve of a patient. The implantable medical device may further include a nerve wrap configured to house the voltage rectifier, the charge storage element, and the stimulation module. The nerve wrap may include one or more electrodes operative to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the target nerve.

Implantable nerve wrap for nerve stimulation configured for far field radiative powering

An implantable medical device may include a case which houses components of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. The inductive coil may be operative to inductively couple to an external coil and to transfer energy from the external coil to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a cutout formed in the case of the implantable medical device and filled with a dielectric material. The cutout may be operative to reduce eddy currents in the case during recharge of the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a slot antenna disposed within the case. The slot antenna may be operative to communicate with an external device through the cutout in the case.

Slot antenna for an implantable device

A lead for an implantable device includes a flexible, implantable tether, electrically connectable to an implantable device, and a plurality of control elements, disposed along the tether. The control elements are electrically interconnectable to the implantable device and configured to transmit one of power and communication signals thereto.

Recharging and communication lead for an implantable device

Apparatus and methods for charging a power cell in an implantable medical device ('IMD') are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing an electrical pulse to an inductor external to the IMD. A frequency of an oscillation signal induced in the inductor by the current pulse is measured. The inductor is driven with an oscillating signal having a frequency based on the measured frequency of the oscillation signal. The power cell is charged using current induced in the IMD by the driving of the inductor.

System and method for charging a power cell in an implantable medical device

A method, apparatus, and system for affecting neuromodulation based upon an evoking signal applied to a patient's body. An internal and/or external evoking and/or therapeutic signal is applied to a first target portion of a patient's body. Data relating to a physiological response resulting from the internal and/or external evoking and/or therapeutic signal is received. A neurotransmission characteristic of the patient's body is determined based upon the data relating to the physiological response. At least one parameter defining an electrical therapeutic signal provided by an implantable medical device is controlled based upon the determined neurotransmission characteristic to treat a disorder.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

David L Thompson