Monolithic component for an implantable medical device

Abstract

A monolithic implantable medical device component includes multiple portions on a single substrate. The portions can be electrically connected to an electronics module, which may include output connectors and input connectors to and from the various portions of the substrate. A portion of the monolithic component to be disposed within, attached to, embedded in, or otherwise combined with a magnet retention feature, such as a plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monolithic component for an implantable medical device, comprising:
 a substrate;   a telemetry coil formed on the substrate;   an electrical interface region formed on the substrate; and   a region formed on the substrate configured to interface with recipient anatomy, and thereby act as one of a stimulator and a sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The monolithic component for an implantable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second telemetry coil formed on the substrate.   
     
     
         3 . The monolithic component for an implantable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a return electrode formed on the substrate in signal communication with the electrical interface region.   
     
     
         4 . The monolithic component for an implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a flexible, polymer substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The monolithic component for an implantable medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer substrate comprises a liquid crystal polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The monolithic component for an implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein substrate comprises a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         7 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 the monolithic component of  claim 1 ; and   an electronics module;   wherein the electronics module is configured to electrically connect with the electrical interface region of the monolithic implantable medical component.   
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 7 , wherein the electronics module is configured to electrically connect with the electrical interface region of the monolithic implantable medical component through a feedthrough. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 7 , wherein the electronics module is disposed in direct contact with the electrical interface region, and thereby electrically connects with it. 
     
     
         10 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 the monolithic component of  claim 1 ;   a magnet; and   a plate,   wherein the magnet is disposed in between the monolithic implantable medical component and the plate.   
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet is disposed such that its rotational motion is restricted by at least one of: the monolithic implantable medical component and the plate. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device of  claim 10 , further comprising a second plate configured to resist rotation of the magnet, wherein the telemetry coil is disposed in the second plate. 
     
     
         13 . A monolithic implantable medical component, comprising:
 a telemetry coil;   an electrical interface; and   an anatomy interface region configured to interface with anatomy of its recipient and thereby act as one of a sensor and a stimulator,   wherein the telemetry coil, the electrical interface, and the anatomy interface region are integral.   
     
     
         14 . The monolithic implantable medical component of  claim 13 , wherein the anatomy interface region is elongate and configured to be inserted into a cochlea. 
     
     
         15 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 the monolithic implantable medical component of  claim 13 ; and   an electronics module electrically connected with the electrical interface region of the monolithic implantable medical component.   
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the electronics module is disposed in a biocompatible housing. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  further comprising a magnet and a plate configured to resist rotation of the magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the telemetry coil is disposed in the plate. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing an implantable medical component comprising:
 obtaining a substrate;   forming a telemetry coil on the substrate;   forming an electrical interface region on the substrate; and   forming a stimulator/sensor region on the substrate.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 forming a circuit trace that electrically couples at least two of: the telemetry coil, the electrical interface region, and the stimulator/sensor region. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising electrically coupling an electronics module to the electrical interface region, the electronics module configured to interact with the stimulator/sensor region based at least in part on a signal received at the telemetry coil. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the substrate is a flexible, polymer substrate. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the polymer substrate comprises a liquid crystal polymer. 
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device comprising:
 forming an implantable medical component by a process including:
 obtaining a substrate; 
 forming a telemetry coil on the substrate; 
 forming an electrical interface region on the substrate; and 
 forming an anatomy interface region on the substrate; and 
   embedding the formed implantable medical component in an implantable medical device housing.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the substrate is a flexible, polymer substrate. 
     
     
         26 . The monolithic medical component of  claim 24 , wherein the polymer substrate comprises a liquid crystal polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 embedding a plate in the implantable medical device housing; and   embedding the magnet in the implantable medical device housing;   wherein the magnet is disposed between the implantable medical component and the plate.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein embedding a magnet in the implantable medical device housing comprises:
 creating a recess; and   inserting the magnet in the recess.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising coupling an output module to the electrical interface region, the output module configured to control an output stimulation using the at least one electrode based on a signal received at the telemetry coil. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising obtaining a second plate, surrounding the telemetry coil with the second plate, wherein the magnet is disposed between plate and the second plate.