BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features, advantages and details of the invention are evident from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, in which
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of an active medical implantable device in a modular design,
FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of such an implantable device with different implant modules, and
FIG. 3 shows a sectional perspective representation of an implant module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The basic concept of medical implantable device 1 can be explained with reference to FIG. 1. This has different modules, namely a central control module 2, a power supply module 3 and a communication module 4, which is constructed, for example, on the basis of a transponder and via which implantable device 1 is able to communicate with an external base device. Furthermore, implantable device 1 has two diagnostic measuring modules 5, 6 for measuring temperature and pressure, and a therapeutic module 7 for electrical stimulation. A temperature sensor 8 is integrated in measuring module 5, which serves to measure temperature. When the implantable device is installed in a patient body, this sensor records the body temperature.
Measuring module 6 serves to determine pressure P in a body part and for this purpose has a measuring cable 9 running from measuring module 6, at the free end of which cable is fitted a pressure sensor 10.
Therapeutic module 7 has a connected catheter 11 at the free end of which lie stimulation electrodes 12. The patient body may therefore be electrically stimulated, i.e. a heart pacemaker function may be provided, for example.
Modules 2 to 7 are commonly connected together by a bus system 13, which is coupled via interfaces 14 to each module 3 to 7 for the purpose of signal transmission and power supply.
An implementation of the module system represented diagrammatically in FIG. 1 can be explained with reference to FIG. 2. Thus a basic device component 15 represents the “backbone” of medical implantable device 1. A central control unit SE, a communication unit KE, and a power supply unit EE are permanently installed in this basic device component 15 as multi-function basic elements. In the exemplary embodiment shown diagnostic and therapeutic modules are now provided for coupling to basic device component 15. For this purpose basic device component 15 has, on the long narrow side of its housing 16, a coupling bar 17, which is formed by a corresponding housing groove into which can be inserted mechanically the different modules shown, namely measuring modules 18, 19, 20, 21, for example, with their respective module heads 22 to 25. Module heads 22 to 24 are shown in FIG. 2 in a position in which they have not yet been slid through as far as coupling bar 17 (on the left in FIG. 2). Measuring module 21 and therapy module 26 are shown in the condition where they are not yet docked.
All measuring modules 18 to 21 have measuring cables 27 to 29 running from module heads 22 to 25, on the free ends of which cables measuring sensors 30 to 32, e.g. for pressure, pH value or the like, are in turn arranged. In measuring module 18 temperature sensor 33 is inserted directly into module head 22.
Therapy module 26 has on its module head 34 a catheter 35 which supports stimulation electrodes 36, 37 at it free end. Furthermore, a measuring sensor 38, e.g. for pressure or temperature, is provided on catheter 35.
To complete the implantable device shown in FIG. 2 a sealing cap 39 is also provided, which is placed on the last module head 34 and serves to seal the bus system 13 guided through module heads 22 to 25, 34. Bus system 13 is constructed so that it extends via basic device component 15 and modules 18 to 21, 26 through suitable plug-in connections 40 between module heads 22 to 25, 34 to basic device component 15.
FIG. 3 shows in sections catheter 35 in the region of the distal end. It can be seen from this that measuring sensor 38 may itself be designed in turn as a replaceable sub-module 41. As already mentioned, this supports a measuring sensor, e.g. for pressure or temperature. The functionality of sub-module 41 is therefore of a diagnostic nature, whilst stimulation electrodes 36, 37 on therapy module 26 produce a therapeutic effect.
Sub-module 41 may be inserted in a corresponding recess 42 in catheter 35. Here the coupling to the control module (not shown here) is made by a plug-in connection 43 to bus system 13.
It should be added that modules 18 to 21, 26, 41 are able to communicate uni-, bi- or multi-directionally with each other and with the central control module via bus system 13. For control, a master-and-slave control system, with reference to the hierarchical arrangement of modules 18 to 21, 26, can be implemented.
Patent Application
20070250120
