Miniature implantable array and stimulation system suitable for eyelid stimulation
First Claim
1. An implantable electrode apparatus suitable for providing or sensing signals from an eyelid, said apparatus comprising:
- a body of flexible material;
at least one flexible leg portion of said body;
at least one electrically conductive electrode that is contained by said at least one flexible leg portion; and
at least one lead wire in electrical contact with said conductive electrode wherein said lead wire is attached to said conductive electrode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable miniature eyelid electrode apparatus that causes a paralyzed eyelid to close or open by passing an electrical stimulating current to a nerve or muscle, is comprised of a longitudinally flexible, nonconductive body containing electrodes that pass an electrical signal to the nearby nerve or muscle, which closes or opens the eyelid. The apparatus is electrically actuated by a source that may be located remotely from the apparatus. The electrical signal passes along wires from the source to the apparatus. The apparatus is biocompatible with the environment in the living tissue and is electrically insulated from the surrounding tissue, except where the electrodes contact the living tissue. The apparatus is very small and is not obvious to visual inspection when implanted.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An implantable electrode apparatus suitable for providing or sensing signals from an eyelid, said apparatus comprising:
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a body of flexible material;
at least one flexible leg portion of said body;
at least one electrically conductive electrode that is contained by said at least one flexible leg portion; and
at least one lead wire in electrical contact with said conductive electrode wherein said lead wire is attached to said conductive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for providing blink stimulation of an eyelid, the apparatus comprising:
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a body of flexible material having at least one flexible leg portion;
at least one electrically conductive electrode that is contained by said at least one flexible leg portion;
at least one lead wire in electrical contact with said at least one electrically conductive electrode; and
a pulse generator that is electrically connected to said at least one lead wire. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A control system for periodically producing stimulation pulses to an eyelid, said system comprising:
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at least one implantable eyelid stimulator having at least one leaflet body and an electrode lead body suitable for implantation proximal to an eyelid;
at least one electrode in said at least one leaflet body;
at least one electric pulse generator coupled to said at least one electrode in said at least one leaflet body; and
means for determining when said at least one electric pulse generator will communicate with said at least one electrode. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of controlling operation of an implantable electronic device proximal to a nerve in living tissue, said method comprising:
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detecting a signal from a functioning eyelid with a first sensing device;
transmitting said detected signal to a stimulating device;
generating a stimulating electric signal in said stimulating device in response to said detected signal; and
providing said stimulating electric signal to living tissue. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An eyelid stimulator, comprising:
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at least two signal electrodes electrically connected together inside an eyelid;
at least two ground electrodes electrically connected together inside the eyelid; and
an electrical circuit for providing a signal between said signal electrodes and said ground electrodes.
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42. An eyelid stimulator, comprising:
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at least one signal electrode inside an eyelid;
at least one ground electrode remote to said eyelid stimulator; and
an electrical circuit for providing a signal between said at least one signal electrode and said at least one ground electrode.
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43. An eyelid stimulator, comprising:
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at least two signal electrodes inside an eyelid, wherein said at least two signal electrodes are controlled independently of each other;
at least one ground electrode remote to said eyelid stimulator; and
an electrical circuit for providing a signal between said signal electrode and said ground electrode.
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44. An eyelid stimulator, comprising:
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at least two or more signal/ground electrode pairs where each said pair is controlled independently; and
an electrical circuit for providing a signal between said signal electrode and said ground electrode.
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Specification