Medical device packaging system

Abstract

A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to electrode terminals on the implantable medical device, patient terminals and conductors extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals.

1 . A system, comprising: 
 a sterilizable package;    an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and    means for conveying a physiological signal to the implantable medical device within the sterilizable package without breaching the implantable medical device sterility.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the implantable medical device includes a sensor terminal and the conveying means includes means for making electrical contact with the sensor terminal.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the implantable medical device sensor terminal is adapted for coupling to any of: an electrode, a blood pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a blood chemistry sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes means for receiving the physiological signal.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving the physiological signal includes means for connecting a medical sensor operatively disposed in or on a patient to the receiving means.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes any of: an inductive element, a capacitive element, an antenna, and an optical fiber.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes a flexible substrate and, disposed on the flexible substrate, any of: conductive ink, conductive foil, conductive film, and conductive tape.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further including means for transmitting signals received by the implantable medical device from the conveying means to an external device.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  further including: 
 a computerized database;    a communication network coupled to the database;    means for transmitting data from the implantable medical device to the database via the communication network.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein further including means for processing signals received by the implantable medical device using the conveying means.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the implantable medical device further includes means for generating an signal corresponding to signals received by the implantable medical device using the conveying means.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sterilizable package includes an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein the conveying means is formed on a portion of any of: the inner surface and outer surface.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sterilizable package includes a device tray and a tray lid sealed to the device tray.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  further including means for generating pressure for promoting electrical contact between the conveying means and the implantable medical device.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes a template corresponding to the shape of the implantable medical device.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the template includes means for facilitating marking a selected implant arrangement.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the implantable medical device includes a connector header having electrical contacts disposed in a connector bore, and the conveying means includes means for electrically coupling the conveying means to the connector bore electrical contacts.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes a means for insulating any portion of the conveying means.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes means for creating a short circuit across the conveying means for protecting the implantable medical device from electrical signals when the conveying means is not in use.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes means for relieving mechanical strain across the conveying means.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1  further including an outer carton containing the sterilizable package means for electrically coupling to the conveying means from outside of the outer carton.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conveying means includes means for indicating electrical signal conduction by the conveying means.  
   
   
       23 . An electrical interface that allows electrical coupling to an implantable medical device placed inside a sterilizable package without breaching the sterility of the sterilizable package, comprising: 
 package contacts in electrical contact with the implantable medical device;    patient terminals positioned outside the sterilizable package; and    a conductor circuit extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals.