Direct inductive/acoustic converter for implantable medical device

#The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices implantable within the body. More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for communicating with and powering implantable medical devices using a direct inductive/acoustic link.

#Implantable medical devices (IMD's) such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are frequently utilized in monitoring and regulating various conditions within the body. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator, for example, may be utilized in cardiac rhythm management applications to monitor the rate and rhythm of the heart and for delivering various therapies such as cardiac pacing, cardiac defibrillation, and/or cardiac therapy. In some cases, the implantable medical device can be configured to sense various physiological parameters occurring in the atria and/or ventricles of the body to determine the occurrence of any abnormalities in the operation of the patient's heart. Based on these sensed parameters, the medical device may then deliver an appropriate treatment to the patient.

#Communication with implantable medical devices is often accomplished via a telemetry link between an external device and an implanted medical device such as a pulse generator. Typically, telemetric communication between the external device and the pulse generator is accomplished using an inductive or RF link. An example inductive link utilizes an inductive coil which, when energized by an external voltage source, produces an inductive field that can be used to transmit communications signals and/or charging signals to the implanted device. An example RF link, in turn, utilizes dynamic RF (i.e., electromagnetic waves) to transmit communications signals and/or charging signals to the implanted device. In some techniques, telemetric communication between the external programming device and the implanted device can be accomplished using an acoustical link provided by an ultrasonic transducer. Other telemetry methods have also been employed for coupling external devices to implantable medical devices.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system for communicating with and/or powering one or more remote sensors located within the body of a patient;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing several illustrative components of the system of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a direct inductive/acoustic energy translator circuit in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

#While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system 10 for communicating with, powering, and/or recharging one or more remote devices located within the body of a patient. The system 10, illustratively a cardiac rhythm management system for providing cardiac rhythm management to a patient, includes an external interrogator device 12 (e.g., a programmer) coupled to an energy source 14, a pulse generator 16 implanted within the body at a location below the patient's skin 18, and a remote sensing device 20 implanted deeply within the patient's body such as in one of the arteries or ventricles of the patient's heart 22, or at some other desired location within the body. According to other embodiments, the system 10 is any implantable medical device known in the art. The heart 22 includes a right atrium 24, a right ventricle 26, a left atrium 28, and a left ventricle 30. The right ventricle 26 leads to the main pulmonary artery 32 and the branches of the main pulmonary artery. Typically, the pulse generator 16 will be implanted at a location adjacent to the location of the interrogator 12, which may lie adjacent to the exterior surface of the patient's skin 18.

#In the illustrative CRM system 10 depicted, the pulse generator 16 is coupled to a lead 36 deployed in the patient's heart 22. As shown, the pulse generator 16 can be implanted subcutaneously within the body, typically at a location such as in the patient's chest or abdomen, although other implantation locations are possible. A proximal portion 38 of the lead 36 can be coupled to or formed integrally with the pulse generator 16. A distal portion 40 of the lead 36, in turn, can be implanted within a desired location within the heart 22 such as the right ventricle 26, as shown. Although the illustrative system 10 depicts only a single lead 36 inserted into the patient's heart 22, it should be understood, however, that the system 10 may include multiple leads so as to electrically stimulate other areas of the heart 22. In some embodiments, for example, the distal portion of a second lead (not shown) may be implanted in the right atrium 24. In addition, or in lieu, another lead may be implanted at the left side of the heart 22 (e.g., in the coronary veins) to stimulate the left side of the heart 22. Other types of leads such as epicardial leads may also be utilized in addition to, or in lieu of, the lead 36 depicted in FIG. 1.