Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090082832 | Thermal Management of Implantable Medical Devices - Systems and techniques for thermal management of implantable medical devices. In one aspect, an implantable device adapted for implantation in a body includes a conductor component that conducts an electrical current in response to the body in which that implantable device is implanted being subjected to an alternating electromagnetic field and a thermal management component in thermal contact with the conductor component and configured to manage excess heat generated by the conduction of the electrical current. The thermal management component comprises a material that undergoes a phase transition at a temperature above the temperature of the body in which the implantable device is adapted to be implanted. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082835 | Apparatus and Methods For Charging An Implanted Medical Device Power Source - Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device. | 03-26-2009 |
20090112272 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATORS - Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112327 | BURR HOLE PLUG DESIGNS - A burr hole plug comprises a plug base including a flange configured for being mounted around a burr hole, an aperture through which an elongated medical device may pass, and tabs configured for extending within the cranial burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. A method may comprise locating the plug base within a burr hole, such that the tabs are disposed within the burr hole to center the plug base relative to the cranial burr hole, introducing the elongated medical device through the cranial burr hole and into the brain tissue of the patient, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and actuating the retainer to secure the medical device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090149917 | MULTIMODAL NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system for performing a neurostimulation trial comprises an external trial stimulator capable of delivering stimulation energy to a plurality of electrodes carried by one or more stimulation leads. The external trial stimulator is configurable to operate in a plurality of stimulation energy delivery modes to respectively emulate one of different neurostimulator types. The system may further comprise a programmer capable of configuring the external trial stimulator to operate in one of the stimulation energy delivery modes. The programmer may be capable of generating a first programming screen capable of allowing a first set of stimulation parameters to be defined for the first neurostimulator type, and a second programming screen capable of allowing a second set of stimulation parameters to be defined for a second neurostimulator type. | 06-11-2009 |
20090192557 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF TREATING PANCREATITIS PAIN CAUSED BY SPHINCTER OF ODDI DYSFUNCTION - Methods and systems of treating a patient with pancreatitis pain include providing a stimulator, configuring one or more stimulation parameters to control sphincter of Oddi function, programming the stimulator with the one or more stimulation parameters, generating a stimulus configured to control sphincter of Oddi function with the stimulator in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters, and applying the stimulus with the stimulator to one or more stimulation sites in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192558 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF TREATING PANCREATITIS PAIN - Methods and systems of treating a patient with pancreatitis pain include providing a stimulator, configuring one or more stimulation parameters to treat pancreatitis pain, programming the stimulator with the one or more stimulation parameters, generating a stimulus configured to treat pancreatitis pain with the stimulator in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters, and applying the stimulus with the stimulator to one or more stimulation sites in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192568 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING SEIZURES CAUSED BY BRAIN STIMULATION - Methods for treating seizures caused by brain stimulation include providing a stimulator, programming the stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to treat a medical condition, applying at least one stimulus with the stimulator to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters, and monitoring the patient for a seizure caused by the at least one stimulus. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192575 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Systems and techniques for thermal management of implantable medical devices. In one aspect an implantable device includes an active component configured to perform medical activities, a charging component configured to convert energy from outside a body in which the implantable device is implanted into potential energy, and a thermal barrier between the charging component and the active portion. The thermal barrier thermally isolates the charging component from the active portion so that thermal resistance between the charging component and the active component is above the thermal resistance between the charging component and the body. | 07-30-2009 |
20090248095 | ANCHORING UNITS FOR LEADS OF IMPLANTABLE ELECTRIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - A nerve stimulation lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The nerve stimulation lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals. The nerve stimulation lead also includes at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead. The at least one anchoring unit is configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure. | 10-01-2009 |
20090281605 | ENGAGEMENT TOOL FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Systems for adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include an engagement tool configured to couple to the implanted medical device. The engagement tool adjusts the position of the medical device when coupled to the implanted medical device. Methods of adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include locating the implanted medical device, coupling an engagement tool to the medical device, and adjusting a position of the engagement tool to adjust the position of the medical device. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287279 | CURRENT STEERING FOR AN IMPLANTABLE STIMULATOR DEVICE INVOLVING FRACTIONALIZED STIMULATION PULSES - A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration. | 11-19-2009 |
20100010582 | MEDICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SETTING PROGRAMMABLE HEAT LIMITS - An external charger transmits energy to charge an implanted medical device. A sensor measures a parameter that is correlated to a temperature that is adjacent to the external charger. This parameter is indicative of the temperature or an amount of heat that is generated during the charging of the implanted medical device by the external charger. The temperature is compared to a user programmable temperature threshold and based on the comparison, the charge rate or output power of the external charger or input power of the implanted medical device is adjusted to reduce the heat generated by the charging. The user programmable temperature threshold is set to an optimum charge rate whereby the temperature that is generated during charging of the implanted medical device by the external charger feels comfortable to the user. | 01-14-2010 |
20100125315 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE THAT USES ELECTRICAL CURRENT STEERING BY MEANS OF OUTPUT IMPEDANCE MODULATION - A method and system of providing therapy to a patient implanted with an array of electrodes is provided. Electrical stimulation current is conveyed from at least two of the electrodes to at least one of the electrodes along at least two electrical paths through tissue of the patient, and the electrical stimulation current is shifted between the electrical paths by actively adjusting one or more finite resistances respectively associated with one or more of the electrical paths. | 05-20-2010 |
20100145357 | BURR HOLE PLUG HAVING DUAL SLIDABLE CLAMPING MECHANISMS - A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base. The retainer further includes first and second slidable clamping mechanisms configured for securing the medical devices therebetween within the aperture of the plug base. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting a plug base around the burr hole, such that the medical device extends through the plug base aperture, mounting the retainer within the aperture of the plug base, and sliding the first and second clamping mechanisms secure the medical device therebetween. | 06-10-2010 |
20100262210 | Current Steering for an Implantable Stimulator Device Involving Fractionalized Stimulation Pulses - A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268309 | Architectures for Multi-Electrode Implantable Stimulator Devices Having Minimal Numbers of Decoupling Capacitors - Architectures for implantable stimulators having N electrodes are disclosed. The architectures contains X current sources, or DACs. In a single anode/multiple cathode design, one of the electrodes is designated as the anode, and up to X of the electrodes can be designated as cathodes and independently controlled by one of the X DACs, allowing complex patient therapy and current steering between electrodes. The design uses at least X decoupling capacitors: X capacitors in the X cathode paths, or one in the anode path and X−1 in the X cathode paths. In a multiple anode/multiple cathode design having X DACs, a total of X−1 decoupling capacitors are needed. Because the number of DACs X can typically be much less than the total number of electrodes (N), these architectures minimize the number of decoupling capacitors which saves space, and ensures no DC current injection even during current steering. | 10-21-2010 |
20100305662 | Techniques for Controlling Charging of Batteries in an External Charger and an Implantable Medical Device - Disclosed are charging algorithms implementable in an external charger for controlling the charging of both an external battery in the external charger and an implant battery in an implantable medical device. Because full-powered simultaneous charging of both batteries can generate excessive heat in the external charger, the various charging algorithms are designed to ensure that both batteries are ultimately charged, but in a manner considerate of heat generation. In some embodiments, the charging algorithms prevent simultaneous charging of both batteries by arbitrating which battery is given charging precedence at a given point in time. In other embodiments, the charging algorithms allow for simultaneous charging of both batteries, but with at least one of the batteries being only weakly charged at low power levels. In other embodiments, the temperature generated in the external charger is monitored and used to control the charging algorithm. In these embodiments, if a safe temperature is exceeded, then the charging algorithms change to new temperature-reducing schemes which still allow for both batteries to be ultimately charged. | 12-02-2010 |
20100331933 | MICROSTIMULATOR WITH FLAP ELECTRODES - An implantable microstimulator includes an elongate casing, a flap coupled directly to the casing, and electrodes attached to the flap such that the electrodes extend laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the casing. The electrodes are coupled to active circuitry that is housed within the casing. Due to the lateral arrangement of the electrodes relative to the casing, effective operation of the microstimulator may still occur even after the microstimulator migrates away from the target stimulation site. Since there are not any leads associated with the microstimulator, the entire microstimulator, including the electrodes and the casing, is implanted adjacent to the target stimulation site. The electrodes may be configured for mono-polar or multi-polar stimulation. In one example, the microstimulator includes an insulative coating on the casing and the coating and the flap are contiguous. | 12-30-2010 |
20110004275 | External Device for an Implantable Medical System Having Accessible Contraindication Information - Disclosed is a remote controller for an implantable medical device having stored contraindication information, which includes information which a patient or clinician might wish to review when assessing the compatibility of a given therapeutic or diagnostic technique or activity with the patient's implant. The stored contraindication information is available through a display of the remote controller or via a wired, wireless, or portable drive connection with an external device. By storing contraindication information with the implant's remote controller, patient and clinician can more easily determine the safety of a particular therapeutic or diagnostic technique or physical activity with the patient's implant, perhaps without the need to contact the manufacturer's service representative. | 01-06-2011 |
20110009919 | METHOD TO ENHANCE AFFERENT AND EFFERENT TRANSMISSION USING NOISE RESONANCE - Methods of providing therapy to a patient are provided. In one method, the patient has a neuron to which a sub-threshold biological electrical stimulus is applied. The method comprises applying electrical noise energy to the neuron, wherein resonance between the biological electrical stimulus and the electrical noise energy is created, such that an action potential is propagated along the axon of the neuron. In another method, the patient has a neuron to which a supra-threshold biological electrical stimulus is applied. This method comprises applying supra-threshold electrical noise energy to the neuron, thereby preventing an action potential from being propagated along the axon of the neuron. Still another method comprises applying an electrical stimulus to a neuron, and applying supra-threshold electrical noise energy to the neuron, thereby preventing or reversing any neurological accommodation of the neuron that may occur in response to the electrical stimulus. | 01-13-2011 |
20110019858 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION IN THE OPERATING ROOM - A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s). | 01-27-2011 |
20110054518 | BURR HOLE SEALING DEVICE FOR PREVENTING BRAIN SHIFT - A burr hole sealing device for preventing brain shift during a stimulation lead implantation procedure is provided. The device includes a suction cup ring and a self-sealing membrane positioned within the aperture of the ring. The sealing device is attached adjacent to a burr hole and over a dura layer that is exposed in the bottom of the burr hole. The stimulation lead is disposed through the burr hole, through the membrane, through the dura layer and into brain tissue. The membrane is configured to allow the lead to pass therethrough while maintaining a tight seal around the diameter of the lead, thereby hindering leakage of cerebrospinal fluid out of the cranial cavity and maintaining a substantially fixed intracranial pressure. In one embodiment, the sealing device includes a syringe for adding fluid to, or removing fluid from, the cranial cavity in response to a detected change in intracranial pressure. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054567 | METHODS TO AVOID FREQUENCY LOCKING IN A MULTI-CHANNEL NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM USING PULSE SHIFTING - A method and neurostimulation system for treating a patient are provided. A plurality of pulsed electrical waveforms are respectively delivered within a plurality of timing channels of the neurostimulation system, thereby treating the patient. Sets of stimulation pulses within the pulsed electrical waveforms that will potentially overlap temporally are predicted. Stimulation pulses in the respective pulsed electrical waveforms are temporally shifted in a manner that prevents overlap of the potentially overlapping pulse sets while preventing frequency locking between the timing channels. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054568 | METHODS TO AVOID FREQUENCY LOCKING IN A MULTI-CHANNEL NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM USING PULSE PLACEMENT - A method and neurostimulation system for treating a patient are provided. A plurality of pulsed electrical waveforms are respectively delivered within a plurality of timing channels of the neurostimulation system, thereby treating the patient. Sets of stimulation pulses within the electrical waveforms that will potentially overlap temporally are predicted. Each of the potentially overlapping pulse sets is substituted with a replacement stimulation pulse, such that each replacement stimulation pulse is delivered within at least one of the respective timing channels, thereby preventing temporal overlap between the stimulation pulses of the respective electrical waveforms while preventing frequency locking between the timing channels. | 03-03-2011 |
20110087307 | Efficient External Charger for an Implantable Medical Device Optimized for Fast Charging and Constrained by an Implant Power Dissipation Limit - An improved external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging the battery using such improved external charger, is disclosed. In one example, simulation data is used to model the power dissipation of the charging circuitry in the implant at varying levels of implant power. A power dissipation limit is chosen to constrain the charging circuitry from producing an inordinate amount of heat to the tissue surrounding the implant, and duty cycles are determined for the various levels of input intensities to ensure that the power limit is not exceeded. A maximum simulated average battery current determines the optimal (i.e., quickest) battery charging current, and at least an optimal value for a parameter indicative of that current, for example, the voltage across the battery charging circuitry, is determined and stored in the external charger. During charging, the actual value for that parameter is reported from the implant to the external charger, which in turn adjusts the intensity and/or duty cycle of the magnetic charging field consistent with the simulation to ensure that charging is as fast as possible, while still not exceeding the power dissipation limit. | 04-14-2011 |
20110106214 | CHARGE RECOVERY BI-PHASIC CONTROL FOR TISSUE STIMULATION - A method and external control device for providing therapy to a patient using first and second electrodes implanted within the patient is provided. A train of electrical multi-phasic pulses is generated. A first electrical current is sourced from the second electrode and at least a portion of the first electrical current is sunk to the first electrode during a stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby therapeutically stimulating a first tissue region adjacent the first electrode. A second electrical current is sourced from the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrical current is sunk to the second electrode during a charge recovery phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby recovering at least a portion of the charge that had been injected into the patient during the stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, and therapeutically stimulating a second tissue region adjacent the second electrode. | 05-05-2011 |
20110121777 | Efficient External Charger for Charging a Plurality of Implantable Medical Devices - An improved external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging batteries in multiple implants using such improved external charger, is disclosed. During charging, values for a parameter measured in the implants are reported from the implants to the external charger. The external charger infers from the magnitudes of the parameters which of the implants has the highest and lowest coupling to the external charger, and so designates those implants as “hot” and “cold.” The intensity of the magnetic charging field is optimized for the cold implant consistent with the simulation to ensure that that the cold implant is charged with a maximum (fastest) battery charging current. The duty cycle of the magnetic charging field is also optimized for the hot implant consistent with the simulation to ensure that the hot implant does not exceed the power dissipation limit. As a result, charging is optimized to be fast for all of the implants, while still safe from a tissue heating perspective. | 05-26-2011 |
20110125223 | NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPOUNDING CURRENT TO MINIMIZE CURRENT SOURCES - A neurostimulation system and method of providing therapy to a patient implanted with a plurality of electrodes using a plurality of electrical sources is provided. A source-electrode coupling configuration is determined from the electrical sources and electrodes. Electrical current is respectively conveyed between active ones of the plurality of electrical sources and active subsets of the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the determined source-electrode coupling configuration. The total number of the electrodes in the active electrode subsets is greater than the total number of the active electrical sources. | 05-26-2011 |
20110125224 | NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMBINING CURRENT USING RECONFIGURABLE CURRENT SOURCES - A neurostimulation system and method of providing therapy to a patient implanted with a plurality of electrodes using a plurality of electrical sources is provided. One of the electrical sources is reconfigured from a second polarity to a first polarity. A first electrical current is generated with the one electrical source when configured in the first polarity. A second electrical current is generated with another one of the electrical sources. At least a portion of the first electrical current and at least a portion of the second electrical current is combined in one of an additive manner and a subtractive manner to produce a first combined electrical current. The first combined electrical current is conveyed to or from one or more of the electrodes. | 05-26-2011 |
20110137372 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USING SENSORS WITH A DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION SYSTEM - A system and method for applying stimulation to a target stimulation site within a patient, while avoiding undesirable eye movement side effects of the stimulation, are provided. The method includes determining whether eye movement, sensed by internal or external electrodes, is a side effect of a conveyed electrical stimulus. If the eye movement is a side effect, the electrical current distribution of the stimulus is modified in order to steer a locus of the electrical stimulus from one tissue region of the patient to another different tissue region of the patient, thereby mitigating the eye movement side effects. For example, the locus of the electrical stimulus may be steered away from the oculomotor nerve. Eye movement side effects of DBS treatment may include apraxia of lid opening, downward movement and adduction of only one eyeball, and/or continuous deviation of both eyeballs. | 06-09-2011 |
20110160796 | AUTOMATIC EVALUATION TECHNIQUE FOR DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION PROGRAMMING - Neurostimulation systems and methods for providing therapy to a patient suffering from a symptom of a disease that latently responds to electrical stimulation therapy are provided. First electrical stimulation energy is conveyed to or from a tissue region of the patient in accordance with a first set of stimulation parameters, thereby affecting the symptom. A predetermined period of time estimated for the symptom to resolve in response to electrical stimulation therapy is allowed to elapse. Second electrical stimulation energy is conveyed to or from the tissue region in accordance with a second set of stimulation parameters different from the first set of stimulation parameters. | 06-30-2011 |
20110276110 | Power Circuitry for an Implantable Medical Device Using a DC-DC Converter - Improved power circuitry for charging a battery in an implantable medical device is disclosed. The improved power circuitry uses a DC-DC converter positioned between the rectifier and the battery in the implant to be charged, and operates to boost the voltage produced by the rectifier to a higher compliance voltage used to charge the battery. Because the rectifier can now produce a smaller DC voltage, the AC voltage preceding the rectifier (the coil voltage), can also be lessened. Lowering the coil voltage reduces the amount of heat generated by the coil, which reduces the overall heat generated by the implant during receipt of a magnetic charging field from an external charger during a charging session, which improves patient safety. Additionally, a reduced coil voltage means that the external charger can reduce the intensity of the magnetic charging field, which also reduces heat generated in the external charger during the charging session. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276111 | External Charger with Customizable Magnetic Charging Field - Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include a plurality of field customization coils for customizing the magnetic charging field generated by the external charger such that the magnetic charging field is not radially symmetric. For example, one embodiment includes a primary coil with a plurality of field customization coils distributed radially with respect to the coil. The generated magnetic charging field can be rendered radially asymmetric by selectively activating or disabling the field customization coils in response to data quantifying the coupling between the various implants and the field customization coils in the charger. If there is a relatively high coupling between a particular implant and a particular customization coil for example, that customization coil can be activated to counter the magnetic charging field at that location, while still maintaining a relatively high magnetic charging field at the location of other implants that may have lower couplings. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282416 | SYSTEMS FOR PATIENT CONTROL OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE THERAPY - Various embodiments provide a method performed by an IMD to deliver a therapy to a patient. In some embodiments of the method, the therapy is delivered to the patient, and a trigger that is controlled by the patient is detected by the IMD. The therapy is automatically interrupted in response to the detected trigger, and is automatically restored after a defined period after the detected trigger. In some embodiments of the method, a trigger that is controlled by the patient is detected. The therapy is automatically initiated in response to the detected trigger, and is automatically stopped after a defined period after the detected trigger. | 11-17-2011 |
20110295330 | ANCHORING UNITS FOR LEADS OF IMPLANTABLE ELECTRIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - A nerve stimulation lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The nerve stimulation lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals. The nerve stimulation lead also includes at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead. The at least one anchoring unit is configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure. | 12-01-2011 |
20120119699 | External Charger for an Implantable Medical Device Having at Least One Moveable Charging Coil - Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include design elements for mechanically manipulating the position of one or more charging coils within the external charger to customize the magnetic charging field as appropriate for the charger/implantable device environment. For example, a single charging coil may be moved within a housing of the external charger to direct the charging field of the coil towards the currently “coldest” implant, i.e., the implant with the lowest coupling to the external charger. The one or more charging coils may be mechanically manipulated within the external charger housing in a number of ways, including by using linear actuators, by inflatable bladders, or even by hand. | 05-17-2012 |
20120239118 | Techniques for Controlling Charging of Batteries in an External Charger and an Implantable Medical Device - Disclosed are charging algorithms implementable in an external charger for controlling the charging of both an external battery in the external charger and an implant battery in an implantable medical device. Because full-powered simultaneous charging of both batteries can generate excessive heat in the external charger, the various charging algorithms are designed to ensure that both batteries are ultimately charged, but in a manner considerate of heat generation. In some embodiments, the charging algorithms prevent simultaneous charging of both batteries by arbitrating which battery is given charging precedence at a given point in time. In other embodiments, the charging algorithms allow for simultaneous charging of both batteries, but with at least one of the batteries being only weakly charged at low power levels. In other embodiments, the temperature generated in the external charger is monitored and used to control the charging algorithm. | 09-20-2012 |
20120271393 | ANCHORING UNITS FOR LEADS OF IMPLANTABLE ELECTRIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - A nerve stimulation lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The nerve stimulation lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals. The nerve stimulation lead also includes at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead. The at least one anchoring unit is configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure. | 10-25-2012 |
20120316622 | IMPLANTABLE MICROSTIMULATORS WITH PROGRAMMABLE MULTIELECTRODE CONFIGURATION AND USES THEREOF - Miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators) with programmably configurable electrodes allow, among other things, steering of the electric fields created. In addition, the microstimulators are capable of producing unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs). | 12-13-2012 |
20130013025 | Fractionalized Stimulation Pulses in an Implantable Stimulator Device - A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration. | 01-10-2013 |
20130077811 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION IN THE OPERATING ROOM - A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s). | 03-28-2013 |
20130123867 | SELF ANCHORING LEAD - An implantable device includes an electrode lead body and at least one stimulating electrode contact disposed on or within the electrode lead body, the lead body being configured and arranged to be self anchoring within body tissue. In addition, the invention is directed to methods of making and using such self anchoring implantable devices. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123893 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATORS - Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator. | 05-16-2013 |
20130138167 | AUTONOMIC MODULATION USING PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION - Some embodiments provide a system, comprising a peripheral nerve field modulation (PNFM) therapy delivery system, PNFM electrodes configured to be implanted subcutaneously, and a controller. The PNFM electrodes are electrically connected to the PNFM therapy system. The PNFM therapy delivery system and the PNFM electrodes are configured to deliver current and/or control the field potentials at one or more peripheral nerve fields. The controller is configured to control the PNFM therapy delivery system to deliver a PNFM therapy to the one or more peripheral nerve fields. The controller includes a scheduler configured to control timing of the PNFM therapy. | 05-30-2013 |
20130150938 | IMPLANTABLE SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED RF TOLERANCE - One embodiment is an implantable lead including a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end; multiple electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body; multiple terminal contacts disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; multiple stimulation conductors extending along the lead body and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminal contacts; at least one diversionary terminal contact disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; and at least one diversionary conductor extending at least partially along the length of the lead body and coupled to the at least one diversionary terminal contact and not coupled to any of the electrodes. The at least one diversionary conductor is configured and arranged to capacitively couple to the stimulation conductors. | 06-13-2013 |
20130218154 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING IMPLANTABLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WITH LEADS THAT COUPLE TO MULTIPLE CONNECTOR PORTS - An electrical stimulation system includes a lead and a connector assembly. The lead includes electrodes, a first terminal array, a second terminal array, and conductors electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminal arrays. The connector assembly includes a first connector port that is open at opposing ends and that electrically couples to the first terminal array. The connector assembly also includes a second connector port that is open at a first end and electrically couples to the second terminal array. The lead and connector assembly simultaneously receive a first portion of the lead, containing the first terminal array, within the first connector port; extend a second portion of the lead out of one end of the first connector port and into the second connector port; and receive a third portion of the lead, containing the second terminal array, within the second connector port of the connector assembly. | 08-22-2013 |
20130226266 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING IMPEDANCE ALONG ELECTRICAL PATHS OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS - An implantable medical device system includes a control module with a connector assembly for electrically coupling to a lead. The control module includes a plurality of feedthrough interconnects extending from the connector assembly to an electronic subassembly disposed in a sealed housing. The plurality of feedthrough interconnects include a first feedthrough interconnect and a second feedthrough interconnect. Impedance circuitry disposed in the control module modulates impedance associated with terminals and conductors of the lead. The impedance circuitry includes a plurality of impedance elements each coupled electrically to a different feedthrough interconnect. Each impedance element has a pre-defined impedance. The plurality of impedance elements include a first impedance element electrically coupled to the first feedthrough interconnect and a second impedance element electrically coupled to the second feedthrough interconnect. The pre-defined impedance of the first impedance element is different than the pre-defined impedance of the second impedance element. | 08-29-2013 |
20130241573 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING AND USING INCIDENT FIELD TRANSFER FUNCTIONS OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS - A method of estimating response of a medical lead to an electromagnetic field includes providing a medical lead having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end, and a plurality of conductors extending along the medical lead and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals; individually applying a test field at each of a plurality of test positions along the medical lead using at least one excitation probe; for each application of the test field, determining a response to the application of the test field at one or more of the electrodes or terminals; generating a transfer function using a combination of the responses determined for the applications of the test field; and using the transfer function to estimate a response of the medical lead to an electromagnetic field. | 09-19-2013 |
20130282086 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING ELECTRODE OR TERMINAL EXTENSIONS FOR COUPLING TO LEADS OF IMPLATANTABLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - A lead assembly includes an implantable lead. Electrodes are disposed along a distal end of the lead in an electrode array. Terminals are disposed along a proximal end of the lead in a proximal-most terminal array and a medial terminal array. A terminal extension electrically couples to the medial terminal array. A port is defined in a connector at a first end of the terminal extension. The port has a first end and an opposing second end and forms a continuous passageway therebetween. The port receives the medial terminal array. A contact array includes connector contacts that are disposed within the port and that couple electrically with a terminal array disposed along a second end of the terminal extension. The contact array couples electrically with terminals of the medial terminal array of the lead when the medial terminal array is received by the port. | 10-24-2013 |
20130304152 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPED PHASED CURRENT DELIVERY - A method of treating an ailment suffered by a patient using one or more electrodes adjacent spinal column tissue of the patient, comprises delivering electrical modulation energy from the one or more electrodes to the spinal column tissue in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform having a positive phase and a negative phase, thereby modulating the spinal column tissue to treat the ailment. An implantable electrical modulation system, comprises one or more electrical terminals configured for being coupled to one or more modulation leads, output modulation circuitry capable of outputting electrical modulation energy to the electrical terminal(s) in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform, and control circuitry configured for modifying a shape of the continuous bi-phasic waveform, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical modulation energy outputted to the electrode(s). | 11-14-2013 |
20130310900 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING RF COMPATIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION LEADS - An implantable lead assembly for an electrical stimulation system includes a first lead configured for insertion into a patient. A current-limiting arrangement is coupleable with the first lead. The current-limiting arrangement is configured for limiting the amount of RF-induced current propagating along a body of the first lead during an MRI procedure. The current-liming arrangement includes a safety device configured to couple to the lead body when the lead body is implanted in the patient. The safety device defines a first port extending along a length of the safety device. The first port is configured for receiving a proximal end portion of the lead body and covering each of multiple terminals disposed along the lead body to prevent the terminals from contacting patient tissue. The safety device provides an impedance of at least 50 ohms at one or more MRI RF frequencies. | 11-21-2013 |
20130325085 | NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM WITH DEFAULT MRI-MODE - A neurostimulation device capable of being placed between a stimulation state and an EMI protection state. The neurostimulation device comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of stimulation electrodes, stimulation output circuitry configured for being selectively activated during the stimulation state to output a plurality of stimulation pulses to the plurality of electrical terminals, electromagnetic protection circuitry configured for being selectively activated during the EMI protection state to prevent at least a portion of the electrical current induced on at least one of the electrical terminals by an electromagnetic field entering the stimulation output circuitry, and a controller configured for automatically defaulting the neurostimulation device to the EMI protection state. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331918 | ANCHORING UNITS FOR LEADS OF IMPLANTABLE ELECTRIC STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - A nerve stimulation lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The nerve stimulation lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals. The nerve stimulation lead also includes at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead. The at least one anchoring unit is configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure. | 12-12-2013 |
20140005753 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPOUNDING LOW-FREQUENCY SOURCES FOR HIGH-FREQUENCY NEUROMODULATION | 01-02-2014 |
20140039578 | IMPLANTABLE MICROSTIMULATORS AND METHODS FOR UNIDIRECTIONAL PROPAGATION OF ACTION POTENTIALS - Miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators) are capable of producing unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs). The methods and configurations described may, for instance, arrest action potentials traveling in one direction, arrest action potentials of small diameters nerve fibers, arrest action potentials of large diameter nerve fibers. These methods and systems may limit side effects of bidirectional and/or less targeted stimulation. | 02-06-2014 |
20140052215 | External Device for an Implantable Medical System Having Accessible Contraindication Information - Disclosed is a remote controller for an implantable medical device having stored contraindication information, which includes information which a patient or clinician might wish to review when assessing the compatibility of a given therapeutic or diagnostic technique or activity with the patient's implant. The stored contraindication information is available through a display of the remote controller or via a wired, wireless, or portable drive connection with an external device. By storing contraindication information with the implant's remote controller, patient and clinician can more easily determine the safety of a particular therapeutic or diagnostic technique or physical activity with the patient's implant, perhaps without the need to contact the manufacturer's service representative. | 02-20-2014 |
20140058482 | IMPLANTABLE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS WITH SHIELDED CONTROL MODULE AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING - An implantable control module for an electrical stimulation system includes a header coupled a sealed body. The header includes at least one connector assembly. The control module also includes a conductive shield disposed over at least a portion of the connector assembly or connector assemblies of the header. The conductive shield is provided to hinder generation of current in the header or in a portion of a lead received in the header in response to application of an external radiofrequency (RF) or magnetic field. A similar shield can also be used to shield a connector assembly disposed on the end of a lead extension or any other component of the electrical stimulation system. | 02-27-2014 |
20140067004 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING SEIZURES CAUSED BY BRAIN STIMULATION - Methods for treating seizures caused by brain stimulation include providing a stimulator, programming the stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to treat a medical condition, applying at least one stimulus with the stimulator to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters, and monitoring the patient for a seizure caused by the at least one stimulus. | 03-06-2014 |
20140084860 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE POWER SOURCE - Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device. | 03-27-2014 |
20140155957 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATORS - Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator. | 06-05-2014 |
20140200631 | Efficient External Charger for Charging a Plurality of Implantable Medical Devices - An external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging batteries in multiple implants using such improved external charger, is disclosed. During charging, values for a parameter measured in the implants are reported from the implants to the external charger. The external charger infers from the magnitudes of the parameters which of the implants has the highest (hot) and lowest (cold) coupling to the external charger. The intensity of the magnetic charging field is optimized for the cold implant to ensure that it is charged with a maximum (fastest) battery charging current. The duty cycle of the magnetic charging field is also optimized for the hot implant to ensure that it does not exceed a power dissipation limit. As a result, charging is optimized to be fast for all of the implants, while still safe from a tissue heating perspective. | 07-17-2014 |
20140243945 | BURR HOLE PLUG DESIGNS - The burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole, and having an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the plug base aperture. The retainer includes a retainer support, a slot formed in the retainer support for receiving the medical device, and a clamping mechanism having a clamping bar and a flange slidably engaged with the retainer support to laterally slide the clamping bar to secure the medical device. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting the plug base around the burr hole, mounting the retainer within the plug base aperture, receiving the medical device into the slot, and sliding the slidable flange relative to the retainer support to laterally slide to secure the medical device. | 08-28-2014 |
20140277267 | NEUROMODULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSITIONING BETWEEN PROGRAMMING MODES - An external control device and method for programming an implantable neuromodulator coupled to an electrode array implanted adjacent tissue of a patient having a medical condition. Electrical modulation energy is conveyed to tissue of the patient in accordance with a series of modulation parameter sets. The patient perceives paresthesia in response to the conveyance of the electrical modulation energy to the tissue in accordance with at least one of the modulation parameter sets. One of the modulation parameter set(s) is identified based on the perceived paresthesia. Another modulation parameter set is derived from the identified modulation parameter set. Electrical modulation energy is conveyed to the tissue of the patient in accordance with the other modulation parameter set without causing the patient to perceive paresthesia. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277287 | Efficient External Charger for an Implantable Medical Device Optimized for Fast Charging and Constrained by an Implant Power Dissipation Limit - An external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device and charging techniques are disclosed. Simulation data is used to model the power dissipation of the charging circuitry in the implant at varying levels of implant power. A power dissipation limit constrains the charging circuitry from producing an inordinate amount of heat to the tissue surrounding the implant, and duty cycles of a charging field are determined so as not to exceed that limit. A maximum simulated average battery current determines the optimal (i.e., quickest) battery charging current, and at least an optimal value for a parameter indicative of that current is determined and stored in the external charger. During charging, the actual value for that parameter is determined, and the intensity and/or duty cycle of the charging field are adjusted to ensure that charging is as fast as possible, while still not exceeding the power dissipation limit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140336726 | FRACTIONALIZED STIMULATION PULSES IN AN IMPLANTABLE STIMULATOR DEVICE - A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration. | 11-13-2014 |
20140343631 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATORS - Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator. | 11-20-2014 |
20140358190 | EXTERNAL DEVICE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL SYSTEM HAVING ACCESSIBLE CONTRAINDICATION INFORMATION - Disclosed is a remote controller for an implantable medical device having stored contraindication information, which includes information which a patient or clinician might wish to review when assessing the compatibility of a given therapeutic or diagnostic technique or activity with the patient's implant. The stored contraindication information is available through a display of the remote controller or via a wired, wireless, or portable drive connection with an external device. By storing contraindication information with the implant's remote controller, patient and clinician can more easily determine the safety of a particular therapeutic or diagnostic technique or physical activity with the patient's implant, perhaps without the need to contact the manufacturer's service representative. | 12-04-2014 |
20140365654 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTHORIZING A PORTABLE DEVICE TO COMMUNICATE WITH A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method, server, and portable device for communicating with an implantable medical device is disclosed. A test that determines whether at least one device configuration parameter respectively corresponding to at least one feature to be tested on the portable device is fulfilled by the portable device is performed. The portable device is authorized to communicate with the implantable medical device only if the feature(s) is fulfilled by the portable device. Authorization of the portable device to communicate with the implantable medical device is denied if the at least one feature is not fulfilled by the portable device. | 12-11-2014 |