Systems and methods for thermal mitigation in medical device controllers

An external controller device for operating a medical device implanted within a patient, the external controller device comprising:

• a housing comprising at least a top wall and a bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall is configured to be closer to the patient than the top wall during operation of the external controller device;
• at least one heat generating component positioned within the housing and configured to control the operation of the external controller device;
• and
• a heat spreader configured to spread thermal energy generated by the at least one heat generating component over the top wall.

A method of assembling an external controller device for operating a medical device implanted within a patient, the method comprising:

• forming a housing including at least a top wall and a bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall is configured to be closer to the patient than the top wall during operation of the external controller device;
• positioning a dividing wall between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein a first compartment is defined between the dividing wall and the top wall, and wherein a second compartment is defined between the dividing wall and the bottom wall;
• and
• positioning at least one heat generating component within the first compartment, the at least one heat generating component configured to control the operation of the external 10 controller device.