APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF A PATIENT

• US 20110213438A1
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ImThera Medical, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: IM Thera Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Craig, Stanley R. JR., LIMA, Marcelo G.
• Application Number:
  US13/097,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/42
• 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

A system used for controlling a position of a patient'"'"'s tongue includes an implant having at least one electrode configured to deliver selective stimulation to particular fascicles of the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue and a controller coupled to the implant.

Claims

1. A system used for controlling a position of a patient'"'"'s tongue, the system comprising:

an implant having at least one electrode configured to deliver selective stimulation to particular fascicles of the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue; and

a controller coupled to the implant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes:

an array of electrodes including at least one electrode pair;

a multiplexer;

digital to analog signal converter; and

an RFID based control and stimulation chip; and

wherein the controller includes an RF interface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to be programmable and to supply power to the implant.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the power is supplied to the implant using RF energy emitted by the controller.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a transponder located in the implant wherein the 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 transponder.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the transponder is a passive RFID transponder.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a core subsystem within the implant, 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.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the request is encrypted.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the implant 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).

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller includes an interface for interfacing with a computer.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller and implant are configured to stimulate patient specific nerve physiology and stimulation parameters.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to couple to the patient'"'"'s ear.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is flexible.

14. The system of claim 2, 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 system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the implant at preprogrammed intervals.

16. The system of claim 2, the implant further comprising an antenna, a micrologic CPU, and a memory configured to store protocols which are selective to a patient in need of neurostimulation.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve at preprogrammed intervals.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide continuous open loop electrical stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve during sleep hours.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured to provide bi-phasic stimulation to the Hypoglossal nerve.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein a stimulation pulse width of the electrode is about 200 microseconds at a stimulation frequency of about 10-40 hertz.