Implantable pulse generators and methods for selective nerve stimulation
First Claim
1. An implantable pulse generator for stimulating nerves comprising:
- a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency;
a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a second frequency that is higher than said first frequency;
a modulator electrically coupled to said first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate said first waveform and said carrier waveform to generate a modulated waveform;
a surgically implantable housing containing said first and second waveform generators and said modulator;
a lead electrically coupled with said modulator and extending from said surgically implantable housing; and
an electrode connected to a distal end of said lead and electrically coupled to said modulator for applying said modulated waveform transmitted through said lead.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) includes a surgically implantable housing, a battery, a first waveform generator, a second waveform generator, a modulator, and electrodes. The IPG produces a pulse envelope, a carrier waveform, and a modulated waveform. The pulse envelope is a low frequency waveform with specific pulse width, amplitude and shape to selectively stimulate a target nerve or body part. The carrier waveform is a high frequency waveform with properties such as amplitude, frequency and the like chosen so as to overcome tissue impedance and the stimulation threshold of the target nerve. The modulated waveform is the waveform obtained by modulating the carrier waveform by the pulse envelope.
160 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implantable pulse generator for stimulating nerves comprising:
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a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency; a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a second frequency that is higher than said first frequency; a modulator electrically coupled to said first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate said first waveform and said carrier waveform to generate a modulated waveform; a surgically implantable housing containing said first and second waveform generators and said modulator; a lead electrically coupled with said modulator and extending from said surgically implantable housing; and an electrode connected to a distal end of said lead and electrically coupled to said modulator for applying said modulated waveform transmitted through said lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An implantable system for stimulating nerves comprising:
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a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a frequency capable of stimulating a body part; a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue of a mammal; a modulator electrically coupled to said first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate said first waveform and said carrier waveform to generate a modulated waveform; a power source for operating said system; a surgically implantable housing containing said first and second waveform generators, said modulator, and said power source; a lead electrically coupled with said modulator and extending from said surgically implantable housing; and an electrode connected to a distal end of said lead and electrically coupled to said modulator for applying said modulated waveform transmitted through said lead. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for stimulating body parts comprising:
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providing an implantable pulse generator including a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating a body part, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a frequency capable of passing through tissue of a mammal, a modulator electrically coupled to said first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate said first waveform and said carrier waveform to generate a modulated waveform, a power source for providing power to said first and second waveform generators and said modulator, a housing containing said first and second waveform generators, said modulator and said power source, a flexible lead electrically coupled with said modulator and extending from said housing, and an electrode connected to a distal end of said flexible lead and electrically coupled to said modulator for applying said modulated waveform; surgically implanting said housing in a mammal; generating said first waveform and said carrier waveform; modulating said first waveform with said carrier waveform to produce a modulated signal; transmitting said modulated signal through said flexible lead to said electrode; applying said modulated signal through said electrode to said body part. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification