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  Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartmentUSPTO Application #: 20080109044Title: Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartment Abstract: An implantable medical electronic tissue stimulating device is formed of two hermetically sealed, fluid impervious housings, one containing an electronic pulse generator and the other a battery power supply. The two are adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled together through a coupler/connector whereby current from the battery in one sealed housing is fed to the electronic pulse generator in the other sealed housing. (end of abstract) Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a. - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Leonard J. Gramse, Robert J. Hanowski USPTO Applicaton #: 20080109044 - Class: 607036000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Electrical Therapeutic Systems, Heart Rate Regulating (e.g., Pacing), Feature Of Stimulator Housing Or Encapsulation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080109044. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/643,369, filed Aug. 19, 2003, the specification of which is herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] I. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to implantable medical tissue stimulating devices, and more particularly to a hermetically sealed pulse generator with an independent, hermetically sealed battery compartment. [0004] II. Discussion of the Prior Art [0005] Implantable pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators and neural stimulators typically comprise a single hermetically sealed case or housing containing a microprocessor and a pulse generator controlled by the microprocessor for delivering tissue stimulating pulses at programmed time intervals along with a battery power supply for supplying electrical current to the electronic circuitry. Given the complexity and capabilities of present-day tissue stimulators, they may have a manufacturing cost approaching ranging between $1,000.00 and $3,000.00. [0006] The battery power supply may typically comprise a lithium iodide cell in that such batteries do not generate a gas during discharge that would make the sealing of the implantable device problematic. Implantable medical devices of the type described herein have a somewhat limited shelf life and a substantial cost burden is incurred by the manufacturers of such devices in the event that sales do not deplete the inventory quickly enough. In that the battery and the somewhat expensive electronics are necessarily contained within a hermetically sealed container or housing, the entire device must be scrapped if the unit is not implanted within a period of 12 months of manufacture for certain modules and 24 months for others. Taking into account the number of different models of pacemakers and AICDs manufacturers produce and the need to maintain an inventory of each, losses due to scrapping can easily reach several million dollars per year due to battery depletion. [0007] During the test and burn-in phase of manufacture, the implantable device is subjected to elevated temperatures to stress the integrated circuits and other components of the microprocessor-controlled pulse generator to detect hardware faults. The elevated temperatures are known to cause battery degradation. [0008] Thus, a need exists for an implantable tissue stimulator that will have a fresh, fully charged battery at the time of implant irrespective of the date of manufacture. The present invention provides a solution. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The problems with the prior art design discussed above are resolved in accordance with the present invention by providing an implantable medical tissue stimulating device that comprises an electronic pulse generator contained in a first hermetically sealed housing member, a battery power supply contained in a second hermetically sealed housing member and a means for mechanically and electrically coupling the first and second housing members together at the time of implant whereby a fresh battery begins to furnish energy to the electronic circuitry at the time of implant rather than at the time of manufacture of the pulse generator. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts. [0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an implantable medical tissue stimulator constructed in accordance with the present invention where the battery compartment and the pulse generator compartment are joined to one another; [0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the parts comprising the electronics compartment; [0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the battery compartment disconnected from the pulse generator compartment; [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the male coupling/connector portion incorporated into the battery compartment; and [0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through the coupling/connector and seal mechanically and electrically joining the battery compartment to the pulse generator compartment. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0016] In FIG. 1 there is indicated generally by numeral 10 and implantable medical tissue stimulating device, such as an implantable pacemaker, an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator or other type of tissue stimulator known in the art. It is seen to comprise a first hermetically sealed housing or compartment 12 that is designed to contain the electronic circuitry comprising a microprocessor-controlled pulse generator and a second hermetically sealed housing 13 for containing an electrochemical cell or battery for powering the electronic circuitry. [0017] As is shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the housing 12 is preferably fabricated from a metal, such as titanium, and is comprised of two halves 12a and 12b that are brought together and joined by welding along their mating edges 14 and 16. Before welding the two halves together, an electronic circuit module 18 is placed in the housing, as is a lead connector block assembly that comprises a metal shell 20 having lead receiving bores as at 22 and 24 and a pocket into which is fitted a connector block 26. The connector block 26 is formed from an insulating material and includes longitudinally extending bores that are adapted to receive the proximal terminal connectors on medical leads (not shown) that plug into the openings 22 and 24 of the shell 20. Fitted into the connector block 26 is a plurality of conductive lead locking blocks 28, 29, 30 and 31 into which contact areas on the proximal terminal end of the medical lead are intended to mate. The connector block assembly includes a feedthrough member 32 that becomes welded to the base of the shell 20 to provide rf isolation. First, however, conductive pins 34 on the feedthrough member 32 are welded to the contact blocks 28-31 and to predetermined nodes on the electronic circuit module 18. Insulating pads, as at 35 fit between the contact blocks and electrically isolate the contact blocks and feedthrough pins from the shell 20. [0018] Thus, when the housing halves 12a and 12b are brought together and welded, the electronic circuitry, as well as the connector for the proximal terminal of medical leads, are hermetically sealed within the housing. Also, a battery coupler/connector 36 is fitted into semicircular sockets 38 formed in the two housing halves 12a and 12b and welded in place. The positive and negative poles 40 of the coupler/connector 36 are welded to appropriate tie points on the electronic circuit 18 prior to placement of the surrounding housing 12. [0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, the second hermetically sealed housing member 13 contains a battery power supply that when appropriately coupled to the housing member 12 provides the necessary energization for the electronic circuit module 18. Continue reading... Full patent description for Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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