US6189536B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for protecting implantable devices
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1999-04-15
•
Granted: 2001-02-20
•
Expires: 2019-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A pulse waveform is provided to at least one surface of an implantable device to protect it from corrosion from a corrosive fluid. The pulse waveform can be delivered through ether anodic or cathodic monophasic or asymetrical biphasic pulses using one electrode and an indiferent or sacrificial electrode. The electrode and the indiferent or sacrificial electrode are oriented such that a closed circuit between the two electrodes is completed through the corrosive fluid and the surface to be protected is within the completed circuit path.
Inventors
- 👤 Gonzalo Martinez
- 👤 Markus Haller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61F; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for protecting an implantable medical device from a corrosive human biologic fluid of a patient, the implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing having a plurality of external surfaces, the housing having disposed therewithin means for delivering a therapy to the patient, the device being suitable for implantation within the patient, comprising providing a pulse waveform to at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the implantable device, wherein a closed circuit is completed though the corrosive fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for protecting an implantable medical device from a corrosive human biologic fluid of a patient, the implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing having a plurality of external surfaces, the housing having disposed therewithin means for delivering a therapy to the patient, the device being suitable for implantation within the patient, comprising providing a pulse waveform to at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the implantable device, wherein a closed circuit is completed though the corrosive fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pulse waveform originates from at least one electrode on the at least one surface of the implantable device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the pulse waveform has a frequency of about 100 KHz to about 1 MHz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein wherein the pulse waveform generates in one material a root mean squared of current of about 8.6 mA to about 0.029 mA.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the pulse waveform is generated by a current having a voltage of about 1 volt to about 10 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising a second electrode, wherein the closed circuit is completed though the corrosive fluid from the at least one electrode and the second electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one surface of the implantable device is located between the at least one electrode and the second electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one electrode is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metalloid, and a combination thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one electrode is comprises a material having an electrical conductivity of at least 10 −6 mho/cm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one electrode comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of a refractory metal, a noble metal, and a combination thereof, including an alloy, a nitride, and an oxide of each.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, titanium, zirconium, ruthenium, iridium, platinum, and a combination thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the implantable device is selected from the group consisting of a pacemaker, a pacemaker-cardioverter-defibrillator, an implantable neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, an implantable monitoring device, an implantable fluid handling device, a defibrillator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a gastric stimulator, a drug pump, and a hemodynamic monitoring device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the corrosive fluid is selected from the group of an aqueous solution of a therapeutic agent or a body fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one surface of the implantable device comprises an exterior surface of the implantable device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one surface of the implantable device comprises an interior surface of the implantable device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
116 words
An implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing having a plurality of external surfaces, the housing having disposed therewithin means for delivering a therapy to a patient, the device being suitable for implantation within a human biologic corrosive fluid of the patient, the device comprising a first electrode attached to one of the plurality of surfaces of the implantable device and a second electrode, each electrode being operatively connected to a waveform generator, wherein the second electrode is oriented such that the surface of the implantable device is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode in respect of an electrical signal transmitted through a closed circuit that includes the first and second electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
An implantable medical device comprising a hermetically sealed housing having a plurality of external surfaces, the housing having disposed therewithin means for delivering a therapy to a patient, the device being suitable for implantation within a human biologic corrosive fluid of the patient, the device comprising a first electrode attached to one of the plurality of surfaces of the implantable device and a second electrode, each electrode being operatively connected to a waveform generator, wherein the second electrode is oriented such that the surface of the implantable device is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode in respect of an electrical signal transmitted through a closed circuit that includes the first and second electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The implantable device of claim 16 wherein at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the implantable device comprises a coating selected from the group consisting of a natural hydrogel, a synthetic hydrogel, silicone, polyurethane, polysulfone, cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy, phenolic, neoprene, polyisoprene, and a combination thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4381981A
Cited
US4821723A
Cited
US5158078A
Cited
US5207218A
Cited
US5131388A
Cited
US5144949A
Cited
US5331966A
Cited
US5330507A
Cited
US5312453A
Cited
US5354316A
Cited
US5314430A
Cited
US5660728A
Cited
US5702618A
Cited
US5705070A
Cited
US5407549A
Cited
US5545186A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |