Implantable trial neurostimulation device

• US 7,065,412 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Swoyer, John M., Gerber, Martin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALTER, ALYSSA MARGO
• Application Number:
  US10/424,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40, 607/41, 607/46, 607/48, 607/34, 607/117, 607/116
• US Class Current: 607/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The invention provides an implantable trial neurostimulator. The implantable trial neurostimulator may be equipped with limited, short-term battery resources. The limited battery resources are designed to last for a finite period of time, thereby preventing a patient or physician from prolonging the trial neurostimulation period. For example, the implantable trial neurostimulator may be designed to stop functioning after a number of days or weeks, upon exhaustion of the battery resources. Alternatively, the implantable trial neurostimulator may be disabled upon expiration of a timer. The trial neurostimulator may be temporarily implanted in a subdural pocket in which the chronic stimulator is ultimately implanted. In this manner, the trial neurostimulator can be coupled to a chronic lead and avoid any percutaneous connections, reducing the risk of infection and affording greater convenience and comfort to patients.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

implanting a neurostimulation lead in a patient;

implanting a trial neurostimulator in the patient;

coupling the trial neurostimulator to the lead;

removing the trial neurostimulator from the patient upon expiration of a trial period of times;

implanting a chronic neurostimulator in the patient;

removing the lead from the patient;

implanting a second neurostimulation lead in the patient; and

coupling the second neurostimulation lead to the chronic neurostimulator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising implanting the chronic neurostimulator in an implant site used for the implantation of the trial neurostimulator.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the trial neurostimulator when a battery within the trial neurostimulator is exhausted.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the trial neurostimulator within approximately one week following the implantation of the trial neurostimulator.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the trial neurostimulator within approximately one month following the implantation of the trial neurostimulator.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the trial neurostimulator within approximately six months following the implantation of the trial neurostimulator.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising remotely disabling the trial neurostimulator upon expiration of the trial period of time.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising uploading information from the trial neurostimulator, and downloading the information to the chronic neurostimulator.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information includes neurostimulation settings.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering power to the implanted trial neurostimulator transcutaneously, and terminating the delivery of power upon expiration of the trial period of time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second lead is a sacral nerve stimulation lead.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the trial neurostimulator is powered by a battery with a power rating of less than or equal to approximately 200 mAh.