Implantable stimulator

• US 20060212087A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Carbunaru, Rafael, Whitehurst, Todd K., Haller, Matthew I., Daulton, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings

Abstract

Exemplary implantable stimulators for stimulating a stimulation site within a patient include an electronic module configured to generate stimulation and a housing configured to house the electronic module. The housing has a shape allowing the a stimulator and a surgical device to be accommodated together within an insertion tool used to insert the stimulator into the patient. Exemplary methods of stimulating a stimulation site within a patient include generating stimulation with an electronic module and housing the electronic module in a housing. The housing has a shape allowing the housing and a surgical device to be accommodated together within an insertion tool used to insert the housing into the patient.

Claims

1. An implantable stimulator for stimulating a stimulation site within a patient, said stimulator comprising:

an electronic module configured to generate stimulation; and

a housing configured to house said electronic module;

wherein said housing has a shape allowing said stimulator and a surgical device to be accommodated together within an insertion tool used to insert said stimulator into said patient.

2. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery configured to supply said electronic module with power;

wherein said housing is further configured to house said battery.

3. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a flat surface adjacent to a partially cylindrical surface.

4. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a cap hermetically sealed to a main body.

5. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said stimulator further comprises a lead coupled to said housing, said lead comprising one or more electrodes for delivering said stimulation to said stimulation site.

6. The stimulator of claim 5, wherein said lead comprises a rigid structure extending from an end of said housing.

7. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said stimulator is configured to treat urinary incontinence.

8. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said surgical device is a laparoscope.

9. A system for inserting a stimulator within a patient, said system comprising:

an insertion tool configured to guide said stimulator into said patient; and

a surgical tool for locating a stimulation site within said patient;

wherein said stimulator comprises a housing that has a shape allowing said stimulator and said surgical tool to be accommodated together within said insertion tool.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said surgical tool comprises a laparoscope.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said housing comprises a flat surface adjacent to a partially cylindrical surface.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said housing comprises a cap hermetically sealed to a main body.

13. The stimulator of claim 9, further comprising a lead coupled to said stimulator, said lead comprising one or more electrodes for delivering said stimulation to said stimulation site.

14. A method of stimulating a stimulation site within a patient, said method comprising:

generating stimulation with an electronic module; and

housing said electronic module in a housing;

wherein said housing has a shape allowing said housing and a surgical device to be accommodated together within an insertion tool used to insert said housing into said patient.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising housing a battery in said housing, said battery configured to supply said electronic module with power.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said housing comprises a flat surface adjacent to a partially cylindrical surface.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling a lead to said housing, said lead comprising one or more electrodes for delivering said stimulation to said stimulation site.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said stimulation is configured to treat urinary incontinence.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said surgical device is a laparoscope.

20. A system for stimulating a stimulation site within a patient, said system comprising:

means for generating stimulation; and

means for housing said means for generating said stimulation;

wherein said means for housing has a shape allowing said means for housing and a surgical device to be accommodated together within an insertion tool used to insert said means for housing into said patient.