Multi-Zone Stimulation Implant System and Method

• US 20110160793A1
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ams Research Corporation (Endo International PLC)
• Inventors: Gindele, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,380,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract

Abstract

Various embodiments of an implant system are provided. The implant, such as a mesh implant, can include a support structure, e.g., mesh sling or implant, one or more stimulation elements (e.g., leads), and an energizing element. Leads or electrodes can be positioned in desired stimulation zones of the implant. As such, the implant can include multiple electrically isolated mesh electrode pads or regions.

Claims

1. An implant stimulation system for stimulating tissue of a pelvic region, said system comprising:

a formable support structure having one or more stimulation zones capable of independently stimulating different areas of a pelvic region;

at least one lead being in operative communication with each stimulation zone; and

a control module in operative communication with the at least one lead to control the stimulus to each of the stimulation zones.

2. The stimulation system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control in operative communication with the control module to allow a user or physician to control the stimulus to the stimulation zones.

3. The stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises a frame portion separating the stimulation zones.

4. The stimulation system of claim 3, wherein the frame portion is formable to the tissue being stimulated.

5. The stimulation system of claim 3, wherein the stimulation zones comprise mesh portions connected to the frame portions and the at least one lead is connected to the mesh portions.

6. The stimulation system of claim 5, wherein the mesh portion comprises a conductive material to spread the stimulus over the area of the stimulation zone.

7. The stimulation system of claim 5, wherein the mesh portion comprises pores having a uniform opening across the stimulation zones.

8. The stimulation system of claim 5, wherein the mesh portion comprises pores having a non uniform opening across the stimulation zones.

9. The stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation zones are simultaneously stimulated.

10. The stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the stimulation zones are selectively stimulated by a user or physician.

11. The stimulation system of claim 1, further comprising at least one fixation device being coupled to at least one of the leads to prevent movement of the lead in a patient.

12. The stimulation system of claim 11, wherein the fixation device comprises one or more tines extending angularly away from the lead.

13. The stimulation system of claim 11, further comprising a capsule encasing at least one fixation device in a collapsed state.

14. The stimulation system of claim 13, wherein the capsule is dissolvable to permit the fixation device to move from a collapsed state to an expanded state.

15. An implant stimulation system for stimulating tissue of a pelvic region, said system comprising:

at least one lead having at least one fixation device, the at least one lead being in operative communication with an organ or tissue of a pelvic region; and

a control module in operative communication with the at least one lead to control the stimulus thereto.

16. The implant stimulation system of claim 15, further comprising a capsule encasing at least one fixation device in a collapsed state.

17. The stimulation system of claim 16, wherein the capsule is dissolvable to permit the fixation device to move from a collapsed state to an expanded state and anchor the lead proximate to an organ or tissue to be stimulated.

18. The stimulation system of claim 15, wherein the at least one fixation device is a helical anchor disposed on a tip of the lead.

19. The stimulation system of claim 18, wherein the helical anchor is expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state after implantation in a patient.

20. The stimulation system of claim 19, further comprising a dissolvable capsule encasing the helical anchor and retaining the helical anchor in its compressed state and allowing the helical anchor to expand to its expanded stated upon dissolving.