NEURAL STIMULATION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

• US 20180289970A1
• Filed: 06/11/2018
• Published: 10/11/2018
• 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 10,384,068 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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.