Implantable microstimulator and systems employing the same
First Claim
1. An implantable microstimulator comprisingan hermetically-sealed housing;
- at least two exposed electrodes extending from said housing;
electronic circuitry within said housing coupled to said at least two exposed electrodes for generating electrical current and applying said electrical current to the two exposed electrodes;
said microstimulator being of a size and shape capable of implantation by expulsion through a cannula or hollow needle; and
a polymeric coating that covers a substantial portion of the surface area of said hermetically-sealed housing, wherein said polymeric coating further contacts and covers a portion of the exposed electrodes.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved implantable microstimulators covered with a biocompatible polymeric coating in order to provide increased strength to the capsule thereof and to capture fragments of the microstimulator should it become mechanically disrupted and to make the microstimulator safer and easier to handle are provided here. The coating may include one or more diffusible chemical agents that are released in a controlled manner into the surrounding tissue. The chemical agents, such as trophic factors, antibiotics, hormones, neurotransmitters and other pharmaceutical substances, are selected to produce desired physiological effects, to aid, support or to supplement the effects of the electrical stimulation. Further, provided herein are systems employing the improved microstimulators to prevent and/or treat various disorders associated with prolonged inactivity, confinement or immobilization of one or more muscles. Such disorders include pressure ulcers, venous emboli, autonomic dysreflexia, sensorimotor spasticity and muscle atrophy. These systems include external control means for controlling the operation of the microstimulators, said control means having memory means for programming preferred stimulation patterns for later activation by the patient or caregiver.
1072 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implantable microstimulator comprising
an hermetically-sealed housing; -
at least two exposed electrodes extending from said housing; electronic circuitry within said housing coupled to said at least two exposed electrodes for generating electrical current and applying said electrical current to the two exposed electrodes; said microstimulator being of a size and shape capable of implantation by expulsion through a cannula or hollow needle; and a polymeric coating that covers a substantial portion of the surface area of said hermetically-sealed housing, wherein said polymeric coating further contacts and covers a portion of the exposed electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for the treatment of body tissue comprising:
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(a) an implantable microstimulator comprising an hermetically-sealed housing, at least two exposed electrodes external to said housing and coupled to electronic circuit means within said housing, wherein the electronic circuit means within said housing generates electrical signals that are applied to said electrodes, and a coating containing a pharmaceutical agent, wherein said coating covers a substantial portion of the hermetically-sealed housing; and (b) control means for controlling said implantable microstimulator to electrically excite a physiological response from body tissue near the exposed electrodes simultaneously with elution of a locally high level of the pharmaceutical agent from the coating. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An implantable microstimulator comprising
an hermetically-sealed housing; -
at least two exposed electrodes extending from said housing; electronic circuitry within said housing coupled to said at least two exposed electrodes for generating electrical current and applying said electrical current to the two exposed electrodes; said microstimulator being of a size and shape capable of implantation by expulsion through a cannula or hollow needle; and a polymeric coating that covers a substantial portion of the surface area of said hermetically-sealed housing, wherein said polymeric coating includes a chemical agent therein adapted to diffuse from the surface of the coating into surrounding tissue. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification