Neurostimulator for production of periodic stimulation pulses

• US 5,354,320 A
• Filed: 09/14/1992
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biotronik Mess-Und Therapiegeraete GmbH & Company Ingenieurbuero Berlin (Biotronik SE & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Biotronik Mess-Und Therapiegeraete GmbH & Company Ingenieurbuero Berlin (Biotronik SE & Company KG)
• Inventors: Hutten, Helmut, Schaldach, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US07/943,250
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 128/421, 128/419 R, 128/419 C, 600/26, 600/27, 607/68, 607/72, 607/73, 607/46, 607/2
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A neurostimulator for generating stimulation pulses for the central or peripheral nervous system, particularly against pain in the region of the spinal cord includes a control circuit for generating stimulation pulses with a pulse generator whose output is connected with stimulation electrodes. The stimulation pulses are generated at periodic intervals with an activity period corresponding essentially to an effective duration corresponding to a biological half-lifetime of a body'"'"'s own active substances. The control circuit creates a respective rest period corresponding to a time required by the body'"'"'s own active substances to regenerate themselves for a corresponding activity period.

Claims

1. A neurostimulator for generating stimulation pulses for the central or peripheral nervous system, particularly against pain in the region of the spinal cord, comprising:

stimulation electrodes and

a control circuit including pulse generator means for generating stimulation pulses to the stimulation electrodes at periodic intervals with an activity period corresponding essentially to an effective duration corresponding to a biological half-lifetime of a body'"'"'s own active substances and means for creating a respective rest period, the respective rest period corresponding to a time required by the body'"'"'s own active substances to regenerate themselves for a corresponding activity period.

2. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, further comprising programming means for changing a duration of the intervals and/or a ratio of the activity period to interval duration.

3. A neurostimulator according to claim 2, wherein the programming of the interval duration and/or the ratio of activity period to interval duration can be varied by said programming means within a 24-hour cycle.

4. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, further comprising an internal energy source.

5. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, further comprising programmable selector circuit means for establishing electrical connections between the output of the pulse generator and one or a plurality of said stimulation electrodes in different combinations or sequences.

6. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, further comprising means for effecting burst stimulation during the activity period.

7. A neurostimulator according to claim 2, wherein pulse amplitude is programmable by said programming means.

8. A neurostimulator according to claim 2, wherein, at the beginning of stimulation, said programming means programs said control circuit with a value of the biological half-lifetime and a dosage quantity value.

9. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, wherein said programming means comprises an external programming and monitoring unit including a receiving and telemetry unit.

10. A neurostimulator according to claim 9, wherein said receiving and telemetry unit further comprises means for effecting passive telemetry whereby communication is effected by means of passive telemetry.

11. A neurostimulator according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit further includes means for measuring tissue resistance and means for automatically reacting to a changing stimulation threshold determined by said means for measuring tissue resistance and from a dosage quantity value, whereby said control circuit adapts itself to a patient specific biorhythm.