Modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system

#This patent document pertains generally to arrhythmia therapy devices and methods, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to modular implantable devices that are configured to deliver an antitachyarrhythmia therapy.

#Implantable arrhythmia therapy devices such as pacers and defibrillators typically include a power source such as a battery, an electrode, and a controller. A lead carrying the electrode typically has a proximal end that is coupled to a housing that contains the power source and controller, and a distal end that is located in, on, or around the heart. A lead can be introduced into a heart chamber, for example.

#A pacing lead typically includes at least one electrode that is configured to deliver a pacing pulse, and a conductor that couples the electrode to a signal generator. Some pacing leads also include a sensing electrode and a second conductor that couples the sensing electrode to a sensing circuit.

#In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

#FIG. 1A is an illustration of a modular antitachyarrhythmia system that includes two antitachyarrhythmia therapy modules.

#FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the system shown in FIG. 1A.

#An antitachyarrhythmia system, such as a defibrillation system, includes at least two physically separate modules that communicate with each other through a wireless communication. Numerous example systems are shown in FIGS. 1A to 8B. A module is a component that is used with other components, from which it is physically separate when implanted in the body. For example, in FIG. 1A, module 105 is used with module 110 and is physically separate from module 110.

#Examples of wireless communication techniques include a radio frequency (RF) signal, inductive coupling, or conduction through the body. Wireless communications between modules include, for example, information about or derived from a physiologic parameter detected by a sensor, or one or more instructions to deliver, schedule, synchronize, or coordinate delivery of an antitachyarrhythmia therapy. In one example, wireless communication between modules avoids or reduces the use of leads. In some examples, all of the modules are physically disjoint, i.e. there are not physical connections between them. FIGS. 1A-4A show examples of physically disjoint modules. In other examples, some of the modules are physically disjoint, and others are connected. For example, the systems shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A include at least one leadless module and at least one module coupled to a lead.

#In an example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia system permits growth of a patient. For example, a system implanted in a child can expand as a child grows, i.e. the modules can still operate as they become farther apart as the child grows because the modules are not tied together with leads. In another example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia system provides free range of motion to a patient.