Abstract:
The disclosure relates in some aspects to an implantable pressure sensor and a method of measuring pressure. In some embodiments pressure may be measured through the use of an implantable lead incorporating one or more pressure sensors. In some aspects a pressure sensor is implemented in a micro-electromechanical system (“MEMS”) that employs direct mechanical sensing. A biocompatible material is attached to one or more portions of the MEMS sensor to facilitate implant in a body of a patient. The MEMS sensor may thus be incorporated into an implantable lead for measuring blood pressure in, for example, one or more chambers of the patient's heart.
Abstract:
An implantable medical lead configured for improved MRI safety and heating reduction performance is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end with a lead connector near the proximal end. In this embodiment the lead further includes a conductor extending longitudinally within the tubular body and having a proximal end that is electrically coupled to the connector and a distal end electrically coupled to a contact pin. The lead in this embodiment further includes a filter element electrically coupled to a distal end of the contact pin and a flange electrically coupled between a proximal end of the filter element and a proximal portion of an electrode. In this embodiment the flange and the proximal portion of the electrode form at least a first part of a hermetic chamber enclosing the filter element.
Abstract:
Implantable medical leads have reduced diameter while providing for optimized mechanical and electrical properties, by reducing the diameters of the conducting cables used within the leads for sensing and delivery of therapeutic electrical stimulation. In an embodiment, conducting filaments within a cable have oval cross-sectional areas. Suitably orienting the oval filaments increases the contact surface between adjacent filaments, broadly distributing the pressure between filaments and reducing fretting fatigue, while the oval cross-sectional area also increases conductivity. In an embodiment, non-conducting coatings around filaments within a cable, or around groups of filaments organized into cable-layers, reduce fretting fatigue. In an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of filaments decreases as the filaments are positioned at increasing radial distances from the center of the cable. In an embodiment, the relative composition of various filament metals and/or alloys is varied in filaments at different radial distances from the center of the cable.
Abstract:
An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead may include a body and an electrical pathway. The body may include a distal portion with an electrode and a proximal portion with a lead connector end. The electrical pathway may extend between the electrode and lead connector end and may include a coiled inductor including first and second electrically conductive filar cores. The first and second filar cores may be physically joined into a unified single piece proximal terminal on a proximal end of the coiled inductor. The first and second cores may be physically joined into a unified single piece distal terminal on a distal end of the coiled inductor. The first and second filar cores may be helically wound into a coiled portion between the proximal and distal terminals, the filar cores being electrically isolated from each other in the coiled portion. The proximal terminal may be electrically coupled to a portion of the electrical pathway extending to the lead connector end, and the distal terminal may be electrically coupled to a portion of the electrical pathway extending to the electrode.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an implantable medical lead. In one embodiment, the lead includes a ring electrode, a tip electrode, first and second helically wound coaxial conductor coils, and a distal coil transition. The coils extend between the proximal and distal ends of the lead. The distal coil transition is proximal to the ring electrode and near the distal end and is where the first coil transitions from being outside the second coil proximal of the distal coil transition to being inside the second coil distal of the distal coil transition.
Abstract:
An in-ear hearing aid device that provides users with a customizable ear piece to fit the ear canal of any user. More specifically, the present invention can comprises of a hard case to hold all the electronics of the device with a hearing device jacket that envelops the device. An ear mold is connected to the jacket and allows the user to insert the device into the ear canal to enhance the user's hearing.
Abstract:
An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a body and an electrical pathway. The body may include a distal portion with an electrode and a proximal portion with a lead connector end. The electrical pathway may extend between the electrode and lead connector end and include a coiled inductor including a first portion and a second portion at least partially magnetically decoupled from the first portion. The first portion may include a first configuration having a first SRF. The second portion may include a second configuration different from the first configuration. The second configuration may have a second SRF different from the first SRF. For example, the first SRF may be near 64 MHz and the second SRF may be near 128 MHz.