Implantable microstimulator with plastic housing and methods of manufacture and use

• US 20060161204A1
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Colvin, Michael S., Haller, Matt I., He, Tom X.
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections

Abstract

An implantable microstimulator includes a plastic housing having a first end and a second end; an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing; a first electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly; and a second electrode disposed at the second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly. The plastic housing, first electrode, and second electrode form a hermetically sealed structure around the electronic subassembly.

Claims

1. An implantable microstimulator, comprising:

a plastic housing having a first end and a second end;

an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing;

a first electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly; and

a second electrode disposed at the second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly;

wherein the plastic housing, first electrode, and second electrode form a hermetically sealed structure around the electronic subassembly.

2. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, further comprising a power source disposed within the plastic housing.

3. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the first end of the plastic housing and the first electrode comprise threaded regions.

4. The implantable microstimulator of claim 3, wherein the second end of the plastic housing and the second electrode comprise threaded regions.

5. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the plastic housing is formed using a hydrophobic plastic.

6. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein plastic housing comprises polyolefins, polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, teflon, or polyetheretherketone.

7. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, further comprising a coating disposed over the plastic housing.

8. The implantable microstimulator of claim 7, wherein the coating increases moisture resistance of the plastic housing.

9. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a plastic body with a conductive coating coated over at least a portion of the plastic body.

10. The implantable microstimulator of claim 9, wherein the second electrode comprises a plastic body with a conductive coating coated over at least a portion of the plastic body.

11. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is solvent welded to the plastic housing.

12. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the plastic housing is melted to the first electrode.

13. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the first electrode defines a hole through which a lead is disposed, wherein the lead is coupled to the electronic subassembly and the first electrode.

14. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the plastic housing is a cylinder and the first and second electrodes are disposed at opposite ends of the cylinder.

15. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are opposing ends of the plastic housing.

16. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, further comprising an antenna disposed within the plastic housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly to receive signals from an external device.

17. A microstimulation system, comprising:

(i) an implantable microstimulator comprising

a plastic housing having a first end and a second end,

an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing,

a first electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly, and

a second electrode disposed at the second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly,

wherein the plastic housing, first electrode, and second electrode form a hermetically sealed structure around the electronic subassembly; and

(ii) an external control unit configured and arranged to communicate with the electronic subassembly to provide signals to the implantable microstimulator.

18. The microstimulation system of claim 17, wherein the external control unit comprises a programming unit comprising an interface for entering information to be provided to the microstimulator.

19. The microstimulation system of claim 17, wherein the external control unit comprises a telemetry unit with a transmitter to transmit the signals to the implantable microstimulator.

20. A method of treating body tissue, the method comprising:

implanting a microstimulator into a body, the microstimulator comprising a plastic housing having a first end and a second end, an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing, a first electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly, and a second electrode disposed at the second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly, wherein the plastic housing, first electrode, and second electrode form a hermetically sealed structure around the electronic subassembly; and

operating the microstimulator to stimulate the body tissue using the first and second electrodes.