Implantable pulse generator power management

• US 8,165,692 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Strother, Robert B, Mrva, Joseph J, Thrope, Geoffrey B
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sarcione, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US11/824,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20070293910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 128/899, 128/903, 128/904, 607 29- 34, 607/40, 607/41, 607 59- 61, 320/128, 320/130, 320/132, 320136-137
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an implantable pulse generator for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination thereof. The implantable pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneously in a tissue region. The implantable pulse generator includes an electrically conductive case of a laser welded titanium material. Control circuitry is located within the case. The control circuitry includes a rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the power source, and a microcontroller for control of the implantable pulse generator. The improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide a stimulation system for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination thereof. The stimulation system provides at least one electrically conductive surface, a lead connected to the electrically conductive surface, and an implantable pulse generator electrically connected to the lead.

Claims

1. A neuromuscular stimulation system comprising:

at least one electrode; and

an implantable pulse generator that includes a rechargeable power source and a power receiving coil coupled to the rechargeable power source, wherein the power receiving coil is configured to transcutaneously receive power from an externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source,

wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured to deliver electrical stimulation via the at least one electrode,

wherein the implantable pulse generator comprises first circuitry configured to generate the electrical stimulation, second circuitry configured for wireless telemetry, and third circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source, and

wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured to operate in an active and charging mode, an active mode, and a dormant mode,

wherein, when in the active and charging mode, the implantable pulse generator provides power from the rechargeable power source to the first and second circuitry of the implantable pulse generator and receives power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field via the power receiving coil to recharge the rechargeable power source,

wherein, when in the active mode, the implantable pulse generator provides power from the rechargeable power source to the first and second circuitry of the implantable pulse generator and does not receive power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source, and

wherein, when the implantable pulse generator is in the dormant mode, the rechargeable power source is electrically isolated from the first circuitry, the second circuitry, and the third circuitry of the implantable pulse generator, and wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured to enter the dormant mode when a predetermined capacity of the rechargeable power source has been discharged.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator includes a first end and a second end that is larger than the first end, wherein the first end is configured to be implanted within a subcutaneous pocket before the second end.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator includes a connection header coupled to the second circuitry, and wherein the connection header is configured to accept an IS-1 plug-in lead connector.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the power source is configured to be recharged by the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field received via the power receiving coil in less than approximately six hours.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable power source is configured such that recharging of the rechargeable power source is required less than weekly to maintain operational power.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured for implantation in subcutaneous tissue at an implant depth of between about 0.5 cm and about 1.5 cm.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the rechargeable power source is at least approximately 30 mA-hr.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuitry is configured for wireless telemetry using at least one of VHF signals or UHF signals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry is capable of generating the electrical stimulation whenever the power receiving coil is receiving power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured to enter the active and charging mode upon receiving the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein, when the implantable pulse generator is in the active mode, the rechargeable power source is electrically isolated from the third circuitry of the implantable pulse generator.

12. A method comprising:

selecting a power management operating mode for an implantable pulse generator from at least an active and charging mode, an active mode, or a dormant mode; and

operating the implantable pulse generator in the selected power management operating mode,

wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured to deliver electrical stimulation via at least one electrode,

wherein the implantable pulse generator includes a rechargeable power source and a power receiving coil coupled to the rechargeable power source, wherein the power receiving coil is configured to transcutaneously receive power from an externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source,

wherein the implantable pulse generator comprises first circuitry configured to generate the electrical stimulation, second circuitry configured for wireless telemetry, and third circuitry for recharging the rechargeable power source, and

wherein, when in the active and charging mode, the implantable pulse generator provides power from the rechargeable power source to the first and second circuitry of the implantable pulse generator and receives power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source,

wherein, when in the active mode, the implantable pulse generator provides power from the rechargeable power source to the first and second circuitry of the pulse generator and does not receive power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source, and

wherein, when the implantable pulse generator is in the dormant mode, the rechargeable power source is electrically isolated from the first circuitry, the second circuitry, and the third circuitry of the implantable pulse generator,

wherein selecting a dormant mode comprises selecting a dormant mode based on determining that a predetermined capacity of the rechargeable power source has been discharged.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising implanting the implantable pulse generator in a subcutaneous pocket, wherein the implantable pulse generator includes a first end and a second end that is larger than the first end, and wherein implanting the implantable pulse generator in the subcutaneous pocket comprises implanting the first end of the pulse generator within the subcutaneous pocket before the second end.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the implantable pulse generator includes a connection header configured to be coupled to the second circuitry, and wherein the connection header is configured to accept an IS-1 plug-in lead connector.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising recharging the rechargeable power source using the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field received via the power receiving coil in less than approximately six hours.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the rechargeable power source is configured such that recharging of the rechargeable power source is required less than weekly to maintain operational power.

17. A method according to claim 12, further comprising implanting the pulse generator in subcutaneous tissue at a depth of between about 0.5 cm and about 1.5 cm.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein a capacity of the rechargeable power source is at least approximately 30 mA-hr.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the second circuitry is configured for wireless telemetry using at least one of VHF signals or UHF signals.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first circuitry is capable of generating the electrical stimulation whenever the power receiving coil is receiving power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting an active and charging mode comprises selecting an active and charging mode based on receiving power from the externally generated radio frequency magnetic field.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein, when the implantable pulse generator is in the active mode, the rechargeable power source is electrically isolated from the third circuitry of the implantable pulse generator.