TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to medical devices and systems for sensing physiological parameters and/or delivering therapy. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to design of control circuitry support structures of implantable medical devices.

BACKGROUND

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) may be configured to sense physiological parameters and/or provide therapy and may include one or more electrodes for performing aspects of these functions. Construction of IMDs often involves challenges regarding locating circuitry so that interconnections can be made in a repeatable manner, positional locations are maintained, and ease of manufacturing is increased.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure include an implantable medical device having a core circuitry support structure that facilitates locating the core circuitry in space to improve repeatability of interconnections, reliability of spatial location, and ease of manufacture.

In an Example 1, a medical device comprising: a hybrid circuitry assembly; and a core circuitry support structure, comprising: a frame defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the hybrid circuitry assembly, wherein an outer surface of the frame is shaped to correspond to an inside surface of a core assembly housing configured to enclose the hybrid circuitry assembly and the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 2, the medical device of Example 1, the hybrid circuitry assembly comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first surface and a second, parallel surface.

In an Example 3, the medical device of either of Examples 1 or 2, the frame comprising: a first end wall; a second, opposite end wall; and a pair of parallel, opposed side walls, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, and side walls define the cavity.

In an Example 4, the medical device of any of Examples 1-3, the frame comprising at least one alignment feature, the at least one alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 5, the medical device of Example 4, the PCB comprising at least one alignment notch, wherein the at least one alignment notch is configured to receive the at least one alignment feature.

In an Example 6, the medical device of either of Examples 4 or 5, the at least one alignment feature comprising: a first alignment feature having a first shape a first size; and a second alignment feature having a second shape and a second size, wherein: the second shape is different than the first shape, and/or the second size is different than the first size.

In an Example 7, the medical device of any of Examples 2-6, the core circuitry support structure comprising a shelf extending at least partially around a perimeter of the core circuitry support structure, wherein the shelf is configured to engage a peripheral edge of the first surface of the PCB.

In an Example 8, the medical device of any of Examples 2-7, the hybrid circuitry assembly further comprising: a first set of additional circuitry components coupled to the first side of the PCB; and a second set of additional circuitry components coupled to the second side of the PCB.

In an Example 9, the medical device of any of Examples 3-8, wherein the core circuitry support structure comprises a panel coupled to the first end wall, second end wall and side walls, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, and side walls define the cavity.

In an Example 10, the medical device of either of Examples 8 or 9, further comprising a cover configured to be disposed over the second set of additional circuitry components, the cover comprising an outer surface shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the core assembly housing.

In an Example 11, the medical device of either of Examples 9 or 10, the panel comprising a recess defined in an outside surface of the panel, the recess configured to receive an X-ray identification tag.

In an Example 12, a medical device comprising: a header having a first end and a second end; a feed-through assembly coupled to the second end of the header; and a core assembly coupled, at a first end, to the feed-through assembly, the core assembly comprising: a core assembly housing enclosing an interior space; a core circuitry assembly disposed in the interior space, the core circuitry assembly comprising: a hybrid circuitry assembly; and a core circuitry support structure, the core circuitry support structure comprising a frame defining a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the hybrid circuitry assembly.

In an Example 13, the medical device of Example 12, the hybrid circuitry assembly comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first surface and a second, parallel surface, wherein the core circuitry support structure includes at least one alignment feature, the at least one alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 14, the medical device of Example 13, the PCB comprising at least one alignment notch, wherein the at least one alignment notch is configured to receive the at least one alignment feature.

In an Example 15, a method of manufacturing a medical device, comprising: providing a hybrid circuitry assembly; forming a core circuitry support structure, the core circuitry support structure comprising at least one of an alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure and a retaining clip configured to engage at least a portion of the hybrid circuitry assembly; coupling the hybrid circuitry assembly to the core circuitry support structure to form a core circuitry assembly; positioning a first portion and a second portion of a core assembly housing around the core circuitry assembly; and welding the first and second portions together.

In an Example 16, a medical device comprising: a hybrid circuitry assembly comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first surface and a second, parallel surface; and a core circuitry support structure, comprising: a frame defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the hybrid circuitry assembly, wherein an outer surface of the frame is shaped to correspond to an inside surface of a core assembly housing configured to enclose the hybrid circuitry assembly and the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 17, the medical device of Example 16, the frame comprising: a first end wall; a second, opposite end wall; and a pair of parallel, opposed side walls, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, and side walls define the cavity.

In an Example 18, the medical device of Example 17, the frame comprising at least one alignment feature, the at least one alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 19, the medical device of Example 18, the PCB comprising at least one alignment notch, wherein the at least one alignment notch is configured to receive the at least one alignment feature.

In an Example 20, the medical device of Example 19, the at least one alignment feature comprising: a first alignment feature having a first shape a first size; and a second alignment feature having a second shape and a second size, wherein: the second shape is different than the first shape, and/or the second size is different than the first size.

In an Example 21, the medical device of Example 16, the core circuitry support structure comprising a shelf extending at least partially around a perimeter of the core circuitry support structure, wherein the shelf is configured to engage a peripheral edge of the first surface of the PCB.

In an Example 22, the medical device of Example 17, the hybrid circuitry assembly further comprising: a first set of additional circuitry components coupled to the first side of the PCB; and a second set of additional circuitry components coupled to the second side of the PCB.

In an Example 23, the medical device of Example 22, wherein the core circuitry support structure comprises a panel coupled to the first end wall, second end wall and side walls, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, and side walls define the cavity.

In an Example 24, the medical device of Example 22, further comprising a cover configured to be disposed over the second set of additional circuitry components, the cover comprising an outer surface shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the core assembly housing.

In an Example 25, the medical device of Example 17, the panel comprising a recess defined in an outside surface of the panel, the recess configured to receive an X-ray identification tag.

In an Example 26, a medical device comprising: a header having a first end and a second end; a feed-through assembly coupled to the second end of the header; and a core assembly coupled, at a first end, to the feed-through assembly, the core assembly comprising: a core assembly housing enclosing an interior space; a core circuitry assembly disposed in the interior space, the core circuitry assembly comprising: a hybrid circuitry assembly; and a core circuitry support structure, the core circuitry support structure comprising a frame defining a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the hybrid circuitry assembly.

In an Example 27, the medical device of Example 26, the hybrid circuitry assembly comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first surface and a second, parallel surface, wherein the core circuitry support structure includes at least one alignment feature, the at least one alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure.

In an Example 28, the medical device of Example 27, the PCB comprising at least one alignment notch, wherein the at least one alignment notch is configured to receive the at least one alignment feature.

In an Example 29, the medical device of Example 27, the at least one alignment feature comprising: a first alignment feature having a first shape a first size; and a second alignment feature having a second shape and a second size, wherein: the second shape is different than the first shape, and/or the second size is different than the first size.

In an Example 30, the medical device of Example 27, the core circuitry support structure comprising a shelf extending at least partially around a perimeter of the core circuitry support structure, wherein the shelf is configured to engage a peripheral edge of the first surface of the PCB.

In an Example 31, the medical device of Example 27, the hybrid circuitry assembly further comprising: a first set of additional circuitry components coupled to the first side of the PCB; and a second set of additional circuitry components coupled to the second side of the PCB.

In an Example 32, the medical device of Example 31, the frame comprising: a first end wall; a second, opposite end wall; and a pair of parallel, opposed side walls, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, and side walls define the cavity.

In an Example 33, the medical device of Example 31, further comprising a cover configured to be disposed over the second set of additional circuitry components, the cover comprising an outer surface shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the core assembly housing.

In an Example 34, the medical device of Example 32, the panel comprising a recess defined in an outside surface of the panel, the recess configured to receive an X-ray identification tag.

In an Example 35, a method of manufacturing a medical device, comprising: providing a hybrid circuitry assembly; forming a core circuitry support structure, the core circuitry support structure comprising an alignment feature configured to facilitate alignment of the hybrid circuitry assembly with the core circuitry support structure; coupling the hybrid circuitry assembly to the core circuitry support structure to form a core circuitry assembly; positioning a first portion and a second portion of a core assembly housing around the core circuitry assembly; and welding the first and second portions together.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

