Implantable Pulse Generator Usable During a Trial Stimulation Phase and Externally Powered by Magnetic Inductive Coupling

• US 20170151440A1
• Filed: 10/25/2016
• Published: 06/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Parramon, Jordi, Pianca, Anne, Malinowski, Bernard, Orinski, William G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,420,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36062 Spinal stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An implantable pulse generator (IPG) allowing for trial stimulation in a fully implanted solution is disclosed. At the time the leads are implanted, a micro IPG having lead connection block(s) is also implanted and connected to the leads. To keep the micro IPG suitably small, it preferably does not include a battery, and is instead powered continuously via magnetic induction using a magnetic field produced by an external charger, such as a charging patch. A coil in the micro IPG picks up and rectifies this magnetic field to provide power to stimulating electronics in the IPG. Because of its small size (e.g., ≦10 cm³), implantation of the micro IPG can occur at the same time the leads are implanted in the patient without inconvenience. Should stimulation therapy with the micro IPG prove effective, a larger, permanent IPG can later be implanted and connected to the implanted leads.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an external charging device, wherein the external charging device comprises a primary charging coil configured to continuously provide a magnetic field; and

an implantable pulse generator, comprising

a housing,

electronic circuitry within the housing,

a secondary charging coil configured to continuously receive the magnetic field by magnetic induction to provide power to the electronic circuitry, wherein the implantable pulse generator does not comprise a power source to provide power to the electronic circuitry, and

at least one connector block, wherein each connector block includes an opening into which a lead for stimulating a patient'"'"'s tissue can be inserted and later removed, wherein contacts in each connector block are connected to the electronic circuitry.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the external charging device comprises a patch affixable to a skin of the patient proximate to the implantable pulse generator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field provided by the external charging device is adjustable based on telemetered feedback from the implantable pulse generator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is conductive or ceramic, and wherein the at least one connector block is within the housing.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary charging coil is within the housing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary charging coil is outside of the housing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is rectangular.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is cylindrical.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector block is outside of the housing.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the implantable pulse generator further comprises at least one electrode wire cable, wherein an electrode cable wire connects each connector block to the housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each at least one electrode wire cable is flexible.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator further comprises a silicone overmold encasing at least a portion of the housing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the silicone overmold further encases the at least one connector block.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein a frequency of the magnetic field is equal to or less than 4 MHz.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the external charger is further configured to allow the patient to adjust a stimulation program being provided by the electronic circuitry by modulating data on the magnetic field.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a volume of the implantable pulse generator is equal to or less than 5 cm³.

17. An implantable pulse generator, comprising:

a conductive or ceramic housing;

electronic circuitry within the housing;

a charging coil, wherein the charging coil is configured to receive a magnetic field to provide power to the electronic circuitry, wherein the implantable pulse generator does not comprise a power source to provide power to the electronic circuitry; and

at least one connector block within the housing, wherein each connector block includes an opening into which a lead for stimulating a patient'"'"'s tissue can be inserted and later removed, wherein contacts in each connector block are connected to the electronic circuitry.

18. An implantable pulse generator, comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry within the housing;

a charging coil, wherein the charging coil is configured to receive a magnetic field to provide power to the electronic circuitry, wherein the implantable pulse generator does not comprise a power source to provide power to the electronic circuitry;

at least one electrode wire cable extending outwardly from the housing, wherein each electrode wire cable comprises a plurality of electrode wires connected to the electronic circuitry; and

a connector block connected to each at least one electrode wire cable, wherein each connector block includes an opening into which a lead for stimulating a patient'"'"'s tissue can be inserted and later removed, wherein each of the plurality of electrode wires in an electrode wire cable connected to a connector block are coupled to contacts in that connector block.