FES stimulator having multiple bundled leads

• US 7,231,252 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neopraxis Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Neopraxis Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Milijasevic, Zoran, Duncan, Michael, Bruinsma, Ian, Barriskill, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): DROESCH, KRISTEN L
• Application Number:
  US10/346,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20030139782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A multi-purpose, implantable stimulator for use in an FES system includes a housing, implantable into a patient'"'"'s body. The housing contains a receiving device and a control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device which, in turn, receives signals transcutaneously from a controller arranged externally of the patient'"'"'s body. A plurality of leads extend from the housing, the leads being arranged in separate bundles of discrete leads, each bundle being associated with a particular site of the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose, implantable stimulator for use in an FES system, the stimulator including:

a housing, implantable into a patient'"'"'s body, the housing containing a receiving device and a control unit, the control unit receives signals from the receiving device which, in turn, receives signals transcutaneously from a controller via a transmitter arranged externally of the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the receiving device is a coil antenna;

a retaining means for removably retaining the transmitter in position relative to the housing, wherein the retaining means is retained in position by a cover member which is removably secured to the housing, the cover member forming a first electrode; and

a plurality of leads extending from the housing, the leads being arranged in separate bundles of discrete leads, each bundle being associated with a particular site of the patient'"'"'s body.

2. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein the housing is of a bio-compatible material.

3. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein the control unit is in the form of an electronics package containing pulse generating circuitry.

4. The stimulator of claim 3, wherein the electronics package is hermetically sealed and has feedthroughs for connecting to an end of each of the plurality of leads.

5. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein the housing has an interior cavity defined by the cover member and a base.

6. The stimulator of claim 5, wherein the base of the housing carries a second electrode.

7. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein the housing is sutured in position within a patient'"'"'s body, in use, the housing defining at least one suturing opening.