IMPLANTABLE THERAPEUTIC NERVE STIMULATOR

• US 20100114260A1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Donofrio, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,612,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network

Abstract

A medical device includes an implantable device having a processor, a pulse generator and a first lead having first and second ends. The first end of the lead is operably and conductively coupled to the implantable device. A first electrode is operably and conductively coupled to the second end of the first lead. The first electrode has a sharp tip for transmitting and focusing a stimulation signal from the pulse generator to a tissue site.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

an implantable device including a processor and a pulse generator;

a first lead having first and second ends, the first end of the lead operably and conductively coupled to the implantable device; and

a first electrode operably and conductively coupled to the second end of the first lead, the first electrode having a first sharp tip for transmitting and focusing a stimulation signal from the pulse generator to a tissue site.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a second electrode.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the second electrode has a second sharp tip.

4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the first and second electrodes are positionable against tissue and operable to transmit the stimulation signal therebetween and through the tissue.

5. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a nonconductive barrier positionable between the first sharp tip and tissue, the barrier having a thickness capable of protecting the tissue from mechanical damage and capable of allowing the stimulation signal therethrough.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the stimulation signal is a spark-like pulse of high voltage and very brief duration.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the tissue site is adjacent a vagus nerve.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the tissue site is adjacent a spinal cord.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first sharp tip is positionable in direct contact with tissue.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the barrier includes at least one through passage in a vicinity of the first sharp tip.

11. A medical device comprising:

an implantable device including a pulse generator; and

a plurality of electrodes operably and conductively coupled to the implantable device, at least a first electrode of the plurality electrodes having a sharp tip for transmitting and focusing a stimulation signal from the pulse generator to a tissue site.

12. The medical device of claim 11, wherein each electrode of the plurality of electrodes includes a sharp tip and wherein the plurality of electrodes including the first electrode is arranged in a plurality of opposing pairs, each pair operably positionable on opposite sides of a nerve or tissue.

13. The medical device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electrodes including the first electrode is arranged in a pair of opposing comb-like electrode structures.

14. The medical device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a second electrode having a sharp tip, the first and second electrodes operably positionable against tissue.

15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrodes are operably positionable on opposite sides of tissue.

16. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrodes are operably positionable on a same side of tissue.

17. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrodes are operably positionable in direct contact with tissue.

18. The medical device of claim 14, further comprising first and second nonconductive barriers operably positionable respectively between the first and second electrodes and the tissue.

19. A method of delivering tissue stimulation comprising:

generating an electrical stimulation signal from a signal generator of an implantable medical device;

positioning a first sharp tip of a first electrode in contact with tissue, the first electrode conductively and operably coupled to the implantable medical device; and

transmitting the signal to the tissue through the first sharp tip.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein positioning a first sharp tip in contact with tissue includes directly positioning the sharp tip on the tissue.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein positioning a first sharp tip of a first electrode in contact with tissue includes positioning the first sharp tip in direct contact with a nonconductive mechanical barrier, the barrier in direct contact with the tissue, the barrier allowing transmission of the signal to the tissue.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

positioning a second sharp tip of a second electrode in contact with tissue, the second electrode conductively and operably coupled to the implantable medical device; and

transmitting the signal through the second sharp tip.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising positioning the first and second sharp tips on opposite sides of tissue.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the signal is a high voltage very brief duration pulse.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the voltage is in a range of about 1 kV to about 10 kV and the duration is in a range of about 10 ns to about 1000 ns.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the signal is a spark-like pulse transmitted through the tissue between the first and second sharp tips.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the signal includes repeated pulses at full therapy stimulation level and repeated pulses at reduced therapy stimulation level.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising inducing an electric field in the tissue, the electric field localized in a vicinity of the first and second sharp tips.

29. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting the signal through a passage of an insulative barrier positioned between the first sharp tip and the tissue.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the signal to the tissue through the first sharp tip includes transmitting therapeutic stimulation.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the signal to the tissue through the first sharp tip includes transmitting blocking stimulation.