Implantable microstimulator with conductive plastic electrode and methods of manufacture and use

• US 20060212075A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Marnfeldt, Goran N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0521 Genital electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An implantable microstimulator includes a plastic housing having a first end; an electronic subassembly; and a conductive plastic electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly. The microstimulator forms a hermetically sealed structure. Optionally, the microstimulator also includes a second electrode disposed at a second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly. The second electrode may also be a conductive plastic electrode.

Claims

1. An implantable microstimulator, comprising:

a plastic housing having a first end;

an electronic subassembly; and

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

wherein microstimulator forms a hermetically sealed structure.

2. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode disposed at a second end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly.

3. The implantable microstimulator of claim 2, wherein the second electrode is a second conductive plastic electrode.

4. The implantable microstimulator of claim 2, wherein the plastic housing is a cylinder and the conductive plastic electrode and the second electrode are disposed at opposite ends of the cylinder.

5. The implantable microstimulator of claim 2, wherein the first and second ends are opposing ends of the plastic housing.

6. The implantable microstimulator of claim 2, wherein the plastic housing, the conductive plastic electrode, and the second electrode are metal-free.

7. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the conductive plastic electrode is seamlessly joined to the plastic housing.

8. The implantable microstimulator of claim 7, wherein the conductive plastic electrode and plastic housing are formed together using dual material injection molding.

9. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the plastic housing and the conductive plastic electrode comprise a same polymer material with the conductive plastic housing further comprising a conductive material disposed in the polymer material.

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

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

12. 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.

13. A method of making a microstimulator, the method comprising:

forming a plastic housing having a first end;

forming a conductive plastic electrode and coupling the first conductive plastic electrode to the first end of the plastic housing; and

disposing an electronic subassembly within the plastic housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the plastic housing and forming the conductive plastic electrode comprises forming the plastic housing and conductive plastic electrode together.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the plastic housing and the conductive plastic electrode together comprises forming the plastic housing and the conductive plastic electrode using dual material injection molding.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising disposing a second electrode at a second end of the plastic housing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second electrode is a second conductive plastic electrode.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein forming the plastic housing, forming the conductive plastic electrode, and coupling the second electrode comprises forming the plastic housing, the conductive plastic electrode, and the second electrode together.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the plastic housing, the conductive plastic electrode, and the second electrode together comprises forming the plastic housing, the conductive plastic electrode, and the second electrode using dual material injection molding.

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, an electronic subassembly, and a conductive plastic electrode disposed at the first end of the plastic housing and in electrical communication with the electronic subassembly, wherein the plastic housing and conductive plastic electrode form a hermetically sealed structure; and

operating the microstimulator to stimulate the body tissue using the first electrode.