NEURAL STIMULATION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

• US 20160038745A1
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Published: 02/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Setpoint Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Jesse M. Simon, Mike A Faltys, Yiming Liu
• Inventors: FALTYS, Michael A., SIMON, Jesse M., LIU, Yiming
• Granted Patent: US 9,993,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36142 for improving safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36175 Pulse width or duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A system for treating chronic inflammation may include an implantable microstimulator, a wearable charger, and optionally an external controller. The implantable microstimulator may be implemented as a leadless neurostimulator implantable in communication with a cervical region of a vagus nerve. The microstimulator can address several types of stimulation including regular dose delivery. The wearable charger may be worn around the subject'"'"'s neck to rapidly (<10 minutes per week) charge an implanted microstimulator. The external controller may be configured as a prescription pad that controls the dosing and activity of the microstimulator.

Claims

1. A charger device configured to be worn around a patient'"'"'s neck for charging a microstimulator implanted in the patient'"'"'s neck, the device comprising:

an energizer coil configured to fit around the patient'"'"'s neck;

a latch configured to releasably secure together two ends of the energizer coil to close the energizer coil and form a solenoid loop around the patient'"'"'s neck; and

a class-D amplifier driving the solenoid loop and configured to create a magnetic field of between about 40 and 100 A/m at a frequency of between about 120 and 140 KHz.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the latch comprises a plurality of pins making electrical connection between the ends of the energizer coil, the pins configured to maintain a low coil resistance and high Q.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier comprises a high efficiency class-D amplifier.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier is configured to be driven at a variable frequency to maximize power transfer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier output is driven to optimize the microstimulator power absorption by measuring the back-telemetry modulation depth.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier controls temperature and prevents telemetry channel saturation.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a digitally compensated pwm circuit to modulate the magnetic field strength and tune the power.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier driving the solenoid loop is configured to create a magnetic field of between about 47-94 A/m at a frequency of between about 127-135 KHz.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising resonators that are adjustable to between about 127 KHz to 135 KHz.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a telemetry system.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the telemetry system comprises a microprocessor configured to modulate a transmitter collector voltage to send data.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display.

13. A charger device configured to be worn around a patient'"'"'s neck for charging a microstimulator implanted in the patient'"'"'s neck, the device comprising:

a solenoid loop configured to be worn around the patient'"'"'s neck; and

a class-D amplifier driving the solenoid loop and configured to create a magnetic field of between about 40 and 100 A/m at a frequency of between about 120 and 140 KHz.

14. A method of treating chronic inflammation in a patient, the method comprising:

implanting a microstimulator in the patient'"'"'s neck in electrical communication with a cervical region of the subject'"'"'s vagus nerve; and

charging and programming the implanted microstimulator from a charger worn around the subject'"'"'s neck.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising applying electrical energy to the vagus nerve to modulate inflammation.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising programming the microstimulator using an external controller and transmitting control information from the charger.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of inserting the microstimulator comprises inserting the microstimulator into a Protection and Orientation device (POD) that at least partially surrounds the vagus nerve, wherein the POD is configured to secure the microstimulator in communication with the vagus nerve.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of inserting the microstimulator comprises implanting a microstimulator having a hermetically sealed capsule body with at least two electrically conductive capsule regions separated by a non-conductive region and a resonator, battery and electronic assembly within the sealed capsule body, and a suspension connecting the electronic assembly to the capsule body to absorb mechanical shock.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing a charging device around the patient'"'"'s neck.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing a charging device around the patient'"'"'s neck by latching the charging device around the patient'"'"'s neck to form a complete solenoid loop.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of charging and programming the implanted microstimulator comprises emitting a magnetic field of between about 40 and 100 A/m at a frequency of between about 120 and 140 KHz from the charger.

22. A method of treating chronic inflammation in a patient, the method comprising:

implanting a microstimulator in the patient'"'"'s neck in electrical communication with a cervical region of the subject'"'"'s vagus nerve;

stimulating the subject'"'"'s vagus nerve to modulate inflammation;

securing a charging device around the patient'"'"'s neck; and

charging the implanted microstimulator from a charger worn around the subject'"'"'s neck for less than 20 minutes per week by emitting a magnetic field of between about 40 and 100 A/m at a frequency of between about 120 and 140 KHz from the charger.