Structure and method of manufacture of an implantable microstimulator
First Claim
1. An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, said microstimulator being of a size approximately 2 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length and of longitudinal shape capable of implantation in the immediate vicinity of selected areas of the body by expulsion through a hypodermic needle, a first inert, metallic electrode hermetically sealed to said housing at or near one end thereof and a second inert, metallic electrode hermetically sealed to said housing at or near another end thereof, and a substantial portion of said electrodes being exposed outside said microstimulator so as to provide stimulation pulses, a coil having a multiplicity of turns of a fine, electrically-conductive wire adapted to act as the secondary of a transformer and receive a modulated, alternating magnetic field, said alternating magnetic field providing power for said microstimulator and said modulation providing control information for said microstimulator, capacitor means for storing power received from said magnetic field, electronic circuitry, means for electrically connecting said electronic circuitry in circuit with said coil, said capacitor means and said electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable microstimulator has a structure which is manufactured to be substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing inert to body fluids, and of a size and shape capable of implantation in a living body, by expulsion through a hypodermic needle. The internal structure of the microstimulator comprises a coil adapted to function as the secondary winding of a transformer and receive power and control information. Circuit means, including control electronics, a capacitor and electrodes are provided. The electrodes, which may be made one of iridium and the other of tantalum and placed on opposite ends of the microstimulator, or alternatively, an iridium electrode at each end of the microstimulator, are at least partially exposed and provide electrical, stimulating pulses to the body.
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Citations
45 Claims
- 1. An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, said microstimulator being of a size approximately 2 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length and of longitudinal shape capable of implantation in the immediate vicinity of selected areas of the body by expulsion through a hypodermic needle, a first inert, metallic electrode hermetically sealed to said housing at or near one end thereof and a second inert, metallic electrode hermetically sealed to said housing at or near another end thereof, and a substantial portion of said electrodes being exposed outside said microstimulator so as to provide stimulation pulses, a coil having a multiplicity of turns of a fine, electrically-conductive wire adapted to act as the secondary of a transformer and receive a modulated, alternating magnetic field, said alternating magnetic field providing power for said microstimulator and said modulation providing control information for said microstimulator, capacitor means for storing power received from said magnetic field, electronic circuitry, means for electrically connecting said electronic circuitry in circuit with said coil, said capacitor means and said electrodes.
- 22. An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, said microstimulator being of a size approximately 2 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length and of a shape capable of implantation through a hypodermic needle, said microstimulator having a first electrode comprising an iridium ball having an electrically-conductive stem extending into said housing and hermetically sealed to said housing at or near one end thereof and a substantial portion of said ball being exposed outside said microstimulator, and a second electrode comprising an inert, metallic conductor comprising an electrically-conductive stem extending into said housing and hermetically sealed to said housing at or near the other end thereof, said metallic conductor having a substantial portion thereof exposed outside said microstimulator, a ferrite core having approximately 200 or more turns of a fine, electrically-conductive wire wound therearound, forming a coil, electronic circuitry disposed at or near one end of said ferrite core, means connecting said electronic circuitry electrically to said coil and said electrodes, wherein information and power may be received by said coil, inside the body, from an alternating magnetic field, modulated in accordance with information, said field being generated from outside said body, and wherein said electrodes provide electrical stimulation to the body and are adapted to be controlled by said electronic circuitry in accordance with said power and said information.
- 30. An implantable microstimulator of a size capable of expulsion through the lumen of a hypodermic needle, said microstimulator being substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, inert, metallic electrode means hermetically sealed to said housing at or near each end thereof, electronic control circuitry, capacitor means disposed between a first of said electrode means and said electronic control circuitry, induction means comprising a coil for receiving an alternating magnetic field to provide power for said microstimulator, said electronic control circuitry connected to said coil, said capacitor means and the second of said electrode means.
- 35. The process for manufacturing a microstimulator comprised of a housing of a size approximately 2 mm in outer diameter and 10 mm long, two electrodes and a microminiature electronic control circuit, comprising the steps of winding a coil of approximately 200 or more turns of a fine wire, said coil having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said housing, so as to fit inside thereof, electrically connecting said coil and said electrodes to said electronic control circuit, inserting said coil, said electrodes, and said electronic control circuit within said housing, disposing one of said electrodes in each end of said housing, with a substantial portion of each said electrode exposed outside said housing, and hermetically sealing said electrodes to said housing.
- 43. The process for manufacturing a microstimulator comprised of a housing of a size approximately 2 mm in outer diameter and 10 mm long, two electrodes each having an electrically-conductive stem, the process comprising the steps of winding a coil of approximately 200 or more turns of a fine wire, connecting both ends of said coil to provide input to an electronic control circuit, said coil, said electronic control circuit and at least one of said electrodes all having a diameter less than the inner diameter of said housing, disposing an electrode at each end of said coil and electronic control circuit, electrically connecting said electrodes to receive the output of said electronic control circuitry and then inserting said coil, electronic control circuit and electrodes in said housing, and hermetically sealing said electrodes to said housing with a substantial portion of each said electrode exposed outside said housing.
Specification