Implantable and rechargeable neural stimulator

• US 8,126,561 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chavan, Abhi V., Caparso, Anthony V., Scheiner, Avram
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US12/613,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20100049275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 607/44
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal, a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, and a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode. The controller is further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol. Other aspects are provided herein.

Claims

1. A method of operating an implantable medical device chronically implanted in a vessel wherein the device includes a pressure sensor, a neural stimulator and a power supply, the method comprising:

sensing a pressure within the vessel using the pressure sensor;

stimulating a neural target using the neural stimulator; and

recharging the power supply using ultrasound signals.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating with another device using ultrasound signals.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein communicating with another device using ultrasound signals includes communicating with another implantable device using ultrasound signals.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein communicating with another device using ultrasound signals includes using shared subcomponents for a communication module to communicate using ultrasound signals and a power module to recharge the power supply using ultrasound signals.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target using the neural stimulator includes stimulating the neural target using an electrode on a housing of the implantable device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes transvascularly stimulating the neural target outside of the vessel using an electrode in the vessel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the neural stimulator to stimulate the neural target in response to a sensed pressure within the vessel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the neural target includes an afferent nerve trunk, the method further comprising delivering a baroreflex therapy, wherein delivering the baroreflex therapy includes:

transvascularly stimulating the afferent nerve trunk to trigger a baroreflex response; and

controlling the stimulation of the afferent nerve trunk using sensed pressure as feedback.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the neural target includes baroreceptors, the method further comprising delivering a baroreflex therapy, wherein delivering the baroreflex therapy includes:

stimulating the baroreceptors to trigger a baroreflex response; and

controlling the stimulation of the baroreceptors using sensed pressure as feedback.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes eliciting a parasympathetic or sympathetic response.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering a hypertension therapy, wherein delivering the hypertension therapy includes reducing pressure in the vessel.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering a remodeling therapy, wherein delivering the remodeling therapy includes stimulating the neural target.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering a therapy to alleviate pain, wherein delivering the therapy to alleviate pain includes stimulating the neural target to block pain signals.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a muscle, wherein controlling the muscle includes stimulating the neural target to contract or relax the muscle.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes stimulating a cardiac nerve.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes stimulating a vagus nerve.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes delivering a neural stimulation signal through a lead to an electrode in the vessel to stimulate the neural target.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating the neural target includes wirelessly delivering a neural stimulation signal to an electrode in the vessel to stimulate the neural target.

19. A method, comprising:

chronically implanting an implantable medical device in a vessel wherein the device includes a pressure sensor, a neural stimulator and a power supply;

sensing a pressure within the vessel using the pressure sensor;

stimulating a neural target using the neural stimulator; and

recharging the power supply using ultrasound signals.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein chronically implanting the implantable medical device includes expanding a structure to secure the device within the vessel.