RFID-based apparatus, system, and method for therapeutic treatment of a patient

• US 20070233204A1
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ImThera Medical, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: ImThera Medical, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Lima, Marcelo, Craig, Stanley
• Application Number:
  US11/707,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/321 Electromedical belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Provided is an implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system comprising a) an internal subsystem having (i) an array of electrodes, where at least one electrode pair contacts a nerve; (ii) a multiplexer; (iii) digital to analog signal converter; and (iv) a RFID based control and stimulation chip; and (b) an external subsystem having (i) a controller; and (ii) an RF interface.

Claims

1. An implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system comprising:

(a) an internal subsystem implant having

(i) an array of electrodes, where at least one electrode pair contacts a nerve;

(ii) a multiplexer;

(iii) digital to analog signal converter; and

(iv) a RFID based control and stimulation chip; and

b) an external subsystem having

(i) a controller; and

(ii) an RF interface.

2. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to be programmable and to supply power to the internal subsystem.

3. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 2, wherein the supplied power includes RF energy emitted by the controller.

4. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the internal subsystem is encased in a casing, the casing being a material selected from the group consisting of one or more titanium alloys, ceramic, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

5. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an interface for interfacing with a computer.

6. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to stimulate patient specific nerve physiology and stimulation parameters.

7. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is shaped for placement around a patient'"'"'s ear.

8. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is shaped in the form of a patch.

9. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is included in a watch-like device.

10. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the external subsystem is flexible.

11. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 7, wherein the controller and RF interface are woven into clothing and remotely powered.

12. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a transponder located in the internal subsystem, wherein the external subsystem controller is configured to:

identify a unique ID tag corresponding to the implant;

communicate with the implant having the unique ID tag; and

send a signal to the internal subsystem transponder.

13. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 12, wherein the transponder is a passive RFID transponder.

14. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller further includes a programming device and wherein the controller is configured to:

provide an RF signal to the implant;

sense and record data; and

interface with the programming device.

15. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the implant at preprogrammed intervals.

16. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a core subsystem within the internal subsystem, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a stimulation cycle by making a request to the core subsystem, the request being in the form of an encoded RF waveform including control data.

17. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 16, wherein the request is encrypted.

18. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the implant is hermetically sealed.

19. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide continuous open loop electrical stimulation to a nerve during sleep hours.

20. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide constant stimulation to a nerve during sleep hours.

21. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 20, wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to a nerve.

22. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 20, wherein the stimulation pulse width is about 200 microseconds at a stimulation frequency of about 10-40 hertz.

23. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide stimulation to a nerve at preprogrammed conditions.

24. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 23, wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to a nerve.

25. The RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 23, wherein the implant stimulation pulse width is about 200 microseconds at a stimulation frequency of about 10-40 hertz.

26. The implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, further comprising an antenna, a micrologic CPU, and a memory configured to store protocols which are selective to a patient in need of neurostimulation.

27. The implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system of claim 1, wherein the nerve is selected from the group consisting of one or more peripheral nerves, deep brain/cortical nerves, sacral nerve, vagus nerve, spinal cord, cochlear nerve, pulmonary nerve, gastric nerve and occipital nerve.