Implantable microstimulators with programmable multielectrode configuration and uses thereof
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microstimulator capable of being electrically positioned, comprising:
- at least two programmably configurable electrodes for applying steerable electric fields;
electrical circuitry electrically connected to the at least two electrodes, wherein the electrical circuitry generates stimulation pulses applied by the electrodes, which stimulation pulses are variable to create steerable electric fields;
programmable memory connected to the electrical circuitry, which programmable memory stores stimulation parameters determining the activated electrodes and the stimulation pulses generated by the electrical circuitry and applied by the activated electrodes; and
a power source connected to the electrical circuitry, which power source provides operating power to the microstimulator.
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Abstract
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).
594 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A microstimulator capable of being electrically positioned, comprising:
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at least two programmably configurable electrodes for applying steerable electric fields;
electrical circuitry electrically connected to the at least two electrodes, wherein the electrical circuitry generates stimulation pulses applied by the electrodes, which stimulation pulses are variable to create steerable electric fields;
programmable memory connected to the electrical circuitry, which programmable memory stores stimulation parameters determining the activated electrodes and the stimulation pulses generated by the electrical circuitry and applied by the activated electrodes; and
a power source connected to the electrical circuitry, which power source provides operating power to the microstimulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A microstimulator, comprising:
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at least two programmably configurable electrodes for applying steerable electric fields;
means for generating stimulation pulses applied by the electrodes, which stimulation pulses are variable to create steerable electric fields, and which generating means are connected to the at least two electrodes;
means for storing stimulation parameters, which stimulation parameters determine the activated electrodes and the stimulation pulses applied by the activated electrodes, which storing means are connected to the means for generating stimulation pulses; and
means for providing operating power to the microstimulator, which power means are connected to the means for generating stimulation pulses. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of electrically positioning a microstimulator, wherein the microstimulator comprises:
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at least two programmably configurable electrodes for applying steerable electric fields, electrical circuitry electrically connected to the electrodes, which electrical circuitry generates stimulation pulses applied by the electrodes, programmable memory electrically connected to the electrical circuitry, which programmable memory stores stimulation parameters, and a power source connected to the electrical circuitry, which power source provides operating power to the microstimulator;
said method comprising;
determining the electrodes to activate and the stimulation pulses to apply with the activated electrodes using the stimulation parameters stored in the programmable memory; and
generating the stimulation pulses using the electrical circuitry and based on the stimulation parameters, which stimulation pulses are variable to create steerable electric fields that electrically position the microstimulator. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification