US3735766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optional unipolar-bipolar body organ stimulator
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-04-19
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A body organ stimulator such as an electronic cardiac stimulator has the customary connector for attaching intra-cardiac catheter leads or myocardial leads to operate the stimulator in a bipolar mode. Set in the resin encapsulation of the stimulator or in an adapter is an indifferent electrode plate which connects internally of the device with one of the connector terminals. The plate in the stimulator or the adapter is dipped in medical grade silicone sealant. An insulating label or strip is then superposed over the sealant coated plate and it is dipped and cured again. At the time of implantation, the physician has the option of stripping the label to expose the plate so the stimulator may be operated in the unipolar mode or leave the strip in place for operation in the bipolar mode.
Inventors
- 👤 D Bowers
- 👤 J Mohalski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/375; A61N1/37512
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A body-implantable organ stimulator comprising: a. stimulus signal generating means having at least one output terminal which is adapted to be connected to a body organ and having another output terminal, b. indifferent electrode means and an insulating support therefor and including means for connecting said electrode means to said other output terminal for receiving a signal therefrom, and c. insulating means adapted to adhere over said indifferent electrode means sealingly with said insulating support and to jointly cover the entire conductive area thereof, said insulating means being optionally removable to activate said indifferent electrode means and to expose the same to a conductive medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A body-implantable organ stimulator comprising: a. stimulus signal generating means having at least one output terminal which is adapted to be connected to a body organ and having another output terminal, b. indifferent electrode means and an insulating support therefor and including means for connecting said electrode means to said other output terminal for receiving a signal therefrom, and c. insulating means adapted to adhere over said indifferent electrode means sealingly with said insulating support and to jointly cover the entire conductive area thereof, said insulating means being optionally removable to activate said indifferent electrode means and to expose the same to a conductive medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said insulating support for said indifferent electrode means comprises a material encapsulating said generating means, said indifferent electrode means being set in said material, b. said insulating means being a membrane means which covers the said indifferent electrode means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said insulating means comprises: a. a first layer of rupturable membrane material on said indifferent electrode, b. flexible strip means adhered as a protective means to said first membrane layer substantially in congruence with said indifferent electrode means, and c. a second layer of rupturable membrane material on said strip means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said first and second layers are comprised of silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said flexible strip means is comprised of pOlyester film which is roughened on at least the one side thereof which interfaces with said first membrane layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said indifferent electrode means comprises a conductive stainless steel plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A body-implantable organ stimulator comprising: a. stimulus signal generating means having at least two output terminals, b. a connector means having at least two terminals which are supplied from the aforesaid output terminals, said connector means being adapted to connect with insulated leads that supply an organ, c. insulating material encapsulating said generating means and a part of said connector means, d. an indifferent electrode means set in the external surface of said encapsulating material and connected with at least one of said output terminals inside of said encapsulating material, and e. insulating means adapted to separably adhere to said indifferent electrode means and to cover said electrode means, said insulating element being optionally removable to activate said indifferent electrode means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
A body-implantable organ stimulator comprising: a. stimulus signal generating means having at least two output terminals, b. a connector means having at least two terminals which are supplied from the aforesaid output terminals, said connector means being adapted to connect with insulated leads that supply an organ, c. insulating material encapsulating said generating means and a part of said connector means, d. an indifferent electrode means set in the external surface of said encapsulating material and connected with at least one of said output terminals inside of said encapsulating material, and e. insulating means adapted to separably adhere to said indifferent electrode means and to cover said electrode means, said insulating element being optionally removable to activate said indifferent electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said insulating means comprises a rupturable membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said insulating means comprises at least two flexible films laminated together, and b. a silicone rubber membrane is on said indifferent electrode to which membrane said laminated insulating films adhere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein said insulating means comprises: a. a first thin layer of rupturable sealant deposited on said encapsulating material and said indifferent electrode means, b. an insulating strip means adhered to said indifferent electrode means through the agency of said first layer of sealant, and c. a second thin layer of rupturable sealant deposited over said first layer and said insulating strip means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said indifferent electrode means comprises a conductive stainless steel plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
An implantable electric body organ stimulator that is characterized by being operable in either bipolar or unipolar modes, comprising: a. a stimulus signal generator and an insulating encapsulation enclosing said generator, b. connector means accessible from the exterior of said encapsulation and having at least two terminals which are connected with said generator to receive stimulus signals therefrom and which are adapted to connect with leads for stimulating an organ in the bipolar mode, c. an indifferent electrode set in said encapsulation at least a part of said indifferent electrode being subject to exposure for contacting body tissue and said indifferent electrode being connected with at least one of said terminals, and d. an insulating element adhesively engaged with said indifferent electrode to insulate and inactivate said electrode when operation in the bipolar mode is desired, said element being removable when operation in the unipolar mode is desired.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
An implantable electric body organ stimulator that is characterized by being operable in either bipolar or unipolar modes, comprising: a. a stimulus signal generator and an insulating encapsulation enclosing said generator, b. connector means accessible from the exterior of said encapsulation and having at least two terminals which are connected with said generator to receive stimulus signals therefrom and which are adapted to connect with leads for stimulating an organ in the bipolar mode, c. an indifferent electrode set in said encapsulation at least a part of said indifferent electrode being subject to exposure for contacting body tissue and said indifferent electrode being connected with at least one of said terminals, and d. an insulating element adhesively engaged with said indifferent electrode to insulate and inactivate said electrode when operation in the bipolar mode is desired, said element being removable when operation in the unipolar mode is desired.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
An implantable body organ stimulator comprising: a. a stimulus pulse generator having first and second output terminals and first and second connector means connected respectively with said terminals, b. an insulating enclosure for said pulse generator, said connector means being exposed through said enclosure to enable connecting organ connectable lead means thereto, c. lead means including a third connector means for coupling with said output terminal connector means, said lead means including at least one conductor extending from said third connector means and connecting with said first connector means when coupled and an organ engaging conductive electrode element attached to said conductor, said conductor having insulation thereon, d. another indifferent electrode element connected with said second connector means, e. insulation means covering the entire conductive area of said indifferent electrOde element, a portion of said insulation means being optionally separable from the remainder thereof to expose said indifferent electrode element for enabling contact with body tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
156 words
An implantable body organ stimulator comprising: a. a stimulus pulse generator having first and second output terminals and first and second connector means connected respectively with said terminals, b. an insulating enclosure for said pulse generator, said connector means being exposed through said enclosure to enable connecting organ connectable lead means thereto, c. lead means including a third connector means for coupling with said output terminal connector means, said lead means including at least one conductor extending from said third connector means and connecting with said first connector means when coupled and an organ engaging conductive electrode element attached to said conductor, said conductor having insulation thereon, d. another indifferent electrode element connected with said second connector means, e. insulation means covering the entire conductive area of said indifferent electrOde element, a portion of said insulation means being optionally separable from the remainder thereof to expose said indifferent electrode element for enabling contact with body tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention set forth in claim 13 wherein: a. said separable portion of said insulation means comprises rupturable membrane means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |