Introducer for a minimally invasive physiologic parameter recorder

Abstract

An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 a) a first rigid section extending from a first proximal end to a first distal end;   b) a first electrode electrically and mechanically connected to the first distal end of the first rigid section;   c) a second rigid section extending from a second proximal end to a second distal end;   d) a second electrode electrically and mechanically connected to the second distal end of the second rigid section; and   e) an intermediate flexible section comprising a first intermediate end spaced from a second intermediate end, wherein the first intermediate end is connected to the first rigid section at the first proximal end and the second intermediate end is connected to the second rigid section at the second proximal end.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second rigid sections are tubular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second electrodes each have a partial hemispherical shape supported at the respective first and second rigid section distal ends. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein with the medical device in a substantially straight orientation, the intermediate section is tubular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second rigid sections is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the first and second hermetically sealed rigid sections is fabricated from a metal or ceramic. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible section is non-hermetic. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the non-hermetic flexible section is fabricated from a polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second rigid sections has a first diameter perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the medical device in an unflexed condition, and wherein the flexible section has a second diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second diameter being less than the first diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the first and second rigid sections is configured as an electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 10  wherein the exterior surface of the at least one of the first and second rigid sections configured as an electrode is coated with an insulator material. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second rigid sections are configured to house at least one of a battery, an electronic module, a charging coil, and a telemetry antenna. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the battery and electronics module are housed in the first rigid section, and the charging coil and telemetry antenna are housed in the second rigid section. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device of  claim 13  wherein the first section is of a hermetic, electrically conductive material, and the second section is of a non-hermetic, non-conductive material. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate flexible section permits the implantable medical device to both stretch and flex. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second rigid section are greater than zero, but less than 3 cm in length. 
     
     
         17 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 a) a first flexible section comprising a first flexible end spaced from a second flexible end;   b) a first rigid section extending from a first rigid proximal end to a first rigid distal end;   c) a second rigid section extending from a second rigid proximal end to a second rigid distal end, wherein the first flexible end is connected to the first rigid section proximal end and the second flexible end is connected to the second rigid section proximal end;   d) a second flexible section comprising a second flexible proximal end spaced from a second flexible distal end, wherein the first rigid distal end is connected to the second flexible proximal end;   e) a third flexible section comprising a third flexible proximal end spaced from a second flexible distal end, wherein the second rigid distal end is connected to the third flexible proximal end;   f) a third rigid section extending from a third rigid proximal end to a third rigid distal end, wherein the second flexible distal end is connected to the third rigid proximal end, and wherein a first electrode is electrically and mechanically connected to the third rigid distal end;   g) a fourth rigid section extending from a fourth rigid proximal end to a fourth rigid distal end, wherein the third flexible distal end is connected to the fourth rigid proximal end, and wherein a second electrode is electrically and mechanically connected to the forth rigid distal end.   
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device of  claim 17  wherein the first, second, third and fourth rigid sections are configured to house at least one of a battery, an electronic module, a charging coil, and a telemetry antenna. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device of  claim 18  wherein the charge coil is housed in the first rigid section, the electronics module is housed in the second rigid section, the telemetry antenna is housed in the third rigid section, and the battery is housed in the fourth rigid section. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device of  claim 19  wherein the first and third sections are of a non-hermetic, non-conductive material, and the second and forth sections are of a hermetic, electrically conductive material.