Flexible implantable electrical stimulator array

• US 7,447,551 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Chou, Yu Kon, Tseng, Kuo Hua, Kuo, Tsung Ter
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NATASHA
• Application Number:
  US11/146,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20060149319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/115, 607/116, 600/508
• US Class Current: 607/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A flexible implantable electrical stimulator array is provided, which is associated with a flexible circuit board, biocompatible materials, a cathode electrode array and an anode electrode array. By using the flexible circuit board, the implanting position and implanting way of the present electrical stimulator are more flexible. Hence, the present electrical stimulator is more humanized and more widely used. Besides, by a design of electrode arrays, electrical treatment area is enlarged and electrical treatment efficiency is improved.

Claims

1. A flexible implantable electrical stimulator array, comprising:

a flexible circuit board having a control circuit, a power supply circuit, a cathode conductive wire and an anode conductive wire, wherein said control circuit controls said power supply circuit to provide said cathode conductive wire and said anode conductive wire with a negative voltage and a positive voltage, respectively;

a cathode electrode array having a plurality of cathode electrodes extending outward from one side of said cathode conductive wire;

an anode electrode array having a plurality of anode electrodes extending outward from one side of said anode conductive wire; and

a biocompatible polymer material covering the whole of said flexible circuit board and exposing portions of said cathode electrodes and said anode electrodes,

wherein said cathode and anode electrode arrays extend outward from opposite lateral sides of said flexible circuit board.

2. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible circuit board gains electric energy from the external by wireless transmission of energy to drive said control circuit.

3. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless transmission of energy is realized by the following methods:

coil induction and antenna induction.

4. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein comprising a black epoxy for covering electric components of said control circuit and said power supply circuit as well as said cathode electrode and said anode electrode.

5. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein the exposed portions of said cathode electrode and said anode electrode are covered by a biocompatible conductive material.

6. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 5, wherein said biocompatible conductive material is selected from a group consisting of the following:

tantalum, stainless steel and titanium.

7. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer layer is selected from a group consisting of the following:

silicone, PTMS (poly(tetramethylene succinaze)) and PMMA (poly(methylmethacrylaze)).

8. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 5, wherein said biocompatible polymer layer is selected from a group consisting of the following:

silicone, PTMS (poly(tetramethylene succinaze)) and PMMA (poly(methylmethacrylaze)).

9. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 1, wherein said control circuit and said power supply control circuit are integrated in an ASIC chip.

10. The flexible implantable electrical stimulator array as defined in claim 9, wherein said biocompatible polymer layer is selected from a group consisting of the following:

silicone, PTMS (poly(tetramethylene succinaze)) and PMMA (poly(methylmethacrylaze)).