IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATORS HAVING REDUCED POCKET STIMULATION

• US 20100137962A1
• Filed: 12/03/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Moffitt, Michael A., Lee, Dongchul
• Granted Patent: US 9,393,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36175 Pulse width or duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• 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

Abstract

Neurostimulators and methods of using neurostimulators are provided. The neurostimulator is implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, and electrical energy is conveyed from the neurostimulator to stimulate a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket. The neurostimulator has a case with which one or more electrodes are associated. The electrical energy is returned to the electrode(s) in a manner that prevents, or at least reduces, pocket stimulation that may otherwise occur due to the return of electrical energy to the case of the neurostimulator.

Claims

1. A method of providing therapy using a neurostimulator implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, the neurostimulator having a case and one or more electrodes disposed on the case, comprising:

conveying electrical energy from the neurostimulator, thereby stimulating a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket; and

returning the electrical energy to the one or more electrodes and at least one external lead connected to the case.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes forms at least a portion of the case.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one external lead is electrically coupled directly to at least one of the one or more electrodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy is returned to the one or more electrodes and the at least one external lead to prevent inadvertent stimulation of the tissue pocket that would otherwise occur.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy is conveyed from the neurostimulator to at least one stimulation lead connected to the neurostimulator to stimulate the target tissue site.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one stimulation lead comprises the at least one external lead.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one stimulation lead is separate from the at least one external lead.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one external lead comprises a plurality of electrodes, the method further comprising selectively activating ones of the plurality of electrodes that will return the electrical energy.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising independently adjusting the electrical energy returned to the activated electrodes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein independently adjusting the electrical energy returned to the activated electrodes comprises selecting a fractionalized electrical current for the activated electrodes.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one external lead comprises an expandable electrode that will return to the electrical energy, the method further comprising expanding the expandable electrode to increase a surface area of the electrode, and implanting the expanded electrode into the patient.

12. A neurostimulator, comprising:

a case;

one or more electrodes associated with the case;

one or more connectors configured for being coupled to one or more stimulation leads;

at least one external lead electrically coupled directly to at least one of the one or more electrodes; and

stimulation circuitry contained within the case, the stimulation circuitry configured for conveying electrical energy to the one or more stimulation leads, and returning the electrical energy to the one or more electrodes and the at least one external lead.

13. The neurostimulator of claim 12, wherein the one or more electrodes form at least a portion of the case.

14. The neurostimulator of claim 12, wherein the at least one stimulation lead comprises the at least one external lead.

15. The neurostimulator of claim 12, wherein the at least one stimulation lead is separate from the at least one external lead.

16. The neurostimulator of claim 12, wherein the at least one external lead comprises an expandable electrode configured to return the electrical energy, the expandable electrode configured to be manipulated to increase a surface area of the expandable electrode.

17. The neurostimulator of claim 16, wherein the expandable electrode comprises a plurality of stacked blades.

18. The neurostimulator of claim 16, wherein the expandable electrode is expandable in the radial direction.

19. The neurostimulator of claim 16, wherein the expandable electrode is expandable in the lateral direction.