Casings for implantable stimulators and methods of making the same
AssigneeBoston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
InventorsTom X. He, Matthew I. Haller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantable stimulator includes a device for delivering a stimulus and a casing having a first, metal portion and a second, portion which is formed from a plastic or polymer. A method of forming an implantable stimulator includes preparing a coil on a ferrite tube and molding a casing body on the coil, such that the coil is embedded in a wall of the casing which is formed of a plastic or polymer. Another method of forming an implantable stimulator includes forming an annular metal connector and molding a plastic or polymer casing body on the metal connector.
Claims19
A method of forming an implantable nerve stimulator, comprising:
- placing a first metal connector into a mold;
- placing a capacitor within the mold;
- injecting a plastic or polymer into the mold to form a casing body that contacts the first metal connector, thereby forming an implantable casing having an interior cavity and embedding the capacitor within the casing body;
- inserting nerve stimulator circuitry within the interior cavity of the implantable casing;
- and
- hermetically sealing the interior cavity of the implantable casing.
An implantable nerve stimulator, comprising:
- nerve stimulator circuitry configured to output electric currents suitable for stimulating a nerve;
- an implantable casing comprising:
- a first metal connector having an interior cavity, an annular cross-section, and a first end;
- a first metal ridge extending from the first end of the first metal connector, the first metal ridge having an annular cross-section less than the annular cross-section of the first metal connector;
- and
- a plastic or polymeric casing body having an interior cavity, an annular cross-section, and a first end hermetically sealed over the first metal ridge, such that the interior cavity of the first metal connector and the interior cavity of the plastic or polymeric casing body communicate to define a receptacle that encases the nerve stimulator circuitry;
- and a capacitor electrically connected to the nerve stimulator circuitry, wherein at least a portion of the capacitor is embedded within a wall of the plastic or polymeric casing body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.