Radian curve shaped implantable cardioverter-defibrillator canister

1. A housing for an implantable electrical cardiac stimulus device, the housing having a curvature shaped to mimic the anatomical shape of a patient's ribcage such that the housing can maintain a predetermined relationship over a patient's ribs when subcutaneously implanted; the housing having a first electrode located on an interior portion of the curvature.

2. The housing of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver location for receiving a plug of a lead assembly including a second electrode.

3. An implantable electrical cardiac stimulus device comprising:

circuitry configured to perform electrical cardiac stimulus; and

a housing as defined in claim 2 ;

wherein:

the circuitry is housed in the housing; and

the circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes, the circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulus using the first and second electrodes.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a pacing function.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a defibrillation/cardioversion function.

6. An implantable electrical cardiac stimulus device comprising:

circuitry configured to perform electrical cardiac stimulus; and

a housing as defined in claim 1 ;

wherein the circuitry is housed in the housing.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a pacing function.

8. The device of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a defibrillation/cardioversion function.

9. A housing for an implantable medical device, the housing having a curvature, width, thickness, a proximal end, and a distal end, the thickness tapering along at least a portion between the proximal and distal ends, the curvature adapted for conformal subcutaneous placement adjacent a patient's ribs; wherein the housing has a first electrode located on an interior portion of the curvature.

10. The housing of claim 9 , wherein the curvature is shaped to conform to a patient's ribs.

11. The housing of claim 10 , wherein the housing is formed of a flexible material allowing it to conform to the patient's ribs.

12. The housing of claim 9 , further comprising a second electrode located on the interior portion of the curvature, the second electrode being spaced from the first electrode.

13. An implantable electrical cardiac stimulus device comprising:

circuitry configured to perform electrical cardiac stimulus; and

a housing as defined in claim 12 ;

wherein:

the circuitry is housed in the housing;

the circuitry is coupled to the first and second electrodes; and

the circuitry is configured to deliver electrical stimulus using the first and second electrodes.

14. An implantable electrical cardiac stimulus device comprising:

circuitry configured to perform electrical cardiac stimulus; and

a housing as defined in claim 9 ;

wherein the circuitry is housed in the housing.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a pacing function.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a defibrillation/cardioversion function.

17. The housing of claim 9 , further comprising a receiver for a plug of a lead electrode assembly disposed at the proximal end of the housing.

18. An implantable electrical cardiac stimulus system comprising:

circuitry configured to perform electrical cardiac stimulus;

a housing as defined in claim 17 ; and

a lead electrode assembly having a proximal end including a plug;

wherein:

the circuitry is housed in the housing; and

the plug is secured in the receiver such that the circuitry is placed in electrical contact with the lead electrode assembly.