Portable percutaneous assemblies, systems and methods for providing highly selective functional or therapeutic neuromuscular stimulation
First Claim
1. A neuromuscular stimulation assembly comprisingat least one electrode sized and configured for implantation in a targeted neural or muscular tissue region,a percutaneous lead electrically coupled to the electrode and including an exposed region adapted to be projecting through an external skin surface of a patient,a carrier sized and configured to be carried by the patient, the carrier also being sized and configured to hold a power source that can be released and replaced,instructions prescribing the release and replacement of the power source according to a preset schedule,an electronics pod removably carried on-board the carrier, the electronics pod including circuitry configured to generate a stimulation pulse, andan electrode connection element carried on-board the carrier that is electrically coupled to the electronics pod, the electrode connection element being sized and configured to electrically engage at least a portion of the exposed region of the lead to electrically couple the electrode to the electronics pod to percutaneously apply the stimulation pulse to the tissue region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body or worn or carried by the patient. The assemblies, systems, and methods include an electrode sized and configured for implantation in tissue, a percutaneous lead electrically coupled to the electrode, a carrier sized and configured to be carried by the patient and to hold a power source, an electronics pod removably carried on-board the carrier and including circuitry configured to generate a stimulation pulse, and an electrode connection element carried on-board the carrier that is electrically coupled to the electronics pod. Instructions furnished by a clinician or caregiver or physician prescribe the release and replacement of a disposable battery according to a prescribed battery replacement regime.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A neuromuscular stimulation assembly comprising
at least one electrode sized and configured for implantation in a targeted neural or muscular tissue region, a percutaneous lead electrically coupled to the electrode and including an exposed region adapted to be projecting through an external skin surface of a patient, a carrier sized and configured to be carried by the patient, the carrier also being sized and configured to hold a power source that can be released and replaced, instructions prescribing the release and replacement of the power source according to a preset schedule, an electronics pod removably carried on-board the carrier, the electronics pod including circuitry configured to generate a stimulation pulse, and an electrode connection element carried on-board the carrier that is electrically coupled to the electronics pod, the electrode connection element being sized and configured to electrically engage at least a portion of the exposed region of the lead to electrically couple the electrode to the electronics pod to percutaneously apply the stimulation pulse to the tissue region.
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10. A method for providing a neuromuscular stimulation function, the method comprising:
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providing a percutaneous lead having an exposed region, the lead electrically coupled to at least one electrode, the at least on electrode sized and configured for implantation in a targeted neural or muscular tissue region, providing a carrier sized and configured to be carried by the patient, the carrier also being sized and configured to hold a power source that can be released and replaced, the carrier including an electronics pod removably carried on-board the carrier, the electronics pod including circuitry configured to generate a stimulation pulse, and an electrode connection element carried on-board the carrier that is electrically coupled to the electronics pod, the electrode connection element being sized and configured to electrically engage at least a portion of the exposed region of the lead to electrically couple the at least one electrode to the electronics pod to percutaneously apply the stimulation pulse to the targeted neural or muscular tissue region, providing instructions prescribing the release and replacement of the power source according to a preset schedule, implanting the at least one electrode through an external skin surface of a patient and into the targeted neural or muscular tissue region, electrically engaging the portion of the exposed region of the lead to the electrode connection element to electrically couple the electrode to the electronics pod, and activating the circuitry to generate a stimulation pulse to percutaneously apply the stimulation pulse to the targeted neural or muscular tissue region. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification