Analgesic implant device and system

• US 8,469,908 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2008
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asfora IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Wilson T. Asfora
• Inventors: Asfora, Wilson T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D
• Application Number:
  US12/326,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 601/46, 601/78, 601/79, 607/9, 607/57, 623/11.11, 623/17.11, 606/60, 606/248, 606/249, 606/250, 606/253, 606/257, 606/279, 606/300, 606/301
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/00 Apparatus for passive exercising A61H5/00 takes precedence; Vibrating apparatus driving means for vibrating A61H23/00; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/00 Massage for the genitals; Devices for improving sexual intercourse penis erection devices A61F5/41; vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/34 For clitoral stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/029 with variable angular positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/083 Abdomen
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

An implant system for imparting vibratory massage to tissue of a patient from within the body of the patient is disclosed. The system comprises an implant device configured to produce and communicate a vibration to body tissue located adjacent to the implant device. The device may include a case forming at least a portion of an exterior of the device, and a vibration generator configured to vibrate the portion of the exterior. The device may include a power supply to supply power to the vibration generator and a switch to selectively permit power from the power supply to be supplied to the vibration generator. The device may include a power receiver to receive electrical energy from a location external to the body of the patient and a signal receiver to receive signals from a location external to the body of the patient when the receiver is located in the body of the patient.

Claims

1. An analgesic implant system for imparting vibratory massage to a bone tissue, the system comprising:

an implant device configured to produce and communicate a vibration to the bone tissue, the implant device including;

a case forming at least a portion of an exterior of the implant device and defining an interior of the implant device, the case having an exterior surface, the exterior surface having an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end;

a vibration generator mounted on the case and configured to vibrate the at least portion of the exterior of the implant device;

a tissue engaging structure located on the exterior surface of the case and configured to secure the case on the bone tissue;

a first bearing structure comprising a first bearing surface configured to bear against a side of a spinous process; and

a second bearing structure comprising a second bearing surface configured to bear against an opposite side of the spinous process;

wherein the second bearing structure has an aperture therein configured to receive the case therein; and

wherein the tissue engaging structure includes at least one helical ridge formed on the exterior surface of the case; and

wherein the aperture of the second bearing structure is defined by an aperture surface, the aperture surface being generally cylindrical and including at least one helical groove formed therein complementary to the at least one ridge of the exterior surface of the case such that rotation of the second bearing structure in a first direction mounts the second bearing structure on the case and rotation of the second bearing structure in a second direction dismounts the second bearing structure from the case.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the case has a generally cylindrical shape.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the tissue engaging structure includes at least one helical ridge formed on the exterior surface of the case.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first bearing structure having the first bearing surface thereon is configured to bear against a part of the bone tissue when the case is mounted on the bone tissue.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first bearing structure is integrally formed with the case.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the first bearing structure includes a tool engaging structure configured to be engaged by a tool.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the tool engaging structure comprises at least two flat surfaces on the first bearing structure located on substantially opposite sides of one end the case.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the first bearing surface extends in a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the case.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the second bearing structure is removably mountable on the case.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the second bearing structure is removably mountable on the case by engaging the at least one helical ridge formed on the exterior surface of the case.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the implant device additionally comprises a power supply mounted on the case and configured to supply power to the vibration generator.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the implant device additionally comprises a power receiver mounted on the case and configured to receive electrical energy from a location external to a body of a patient when the implant device is configured to be implanted within the body of the patient.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the implant device additionally comprises a signal receiver mounted on the case configured to receive signals from a remote source external to a body when the receiver is located in the body, the signal receiver being in communication with a switch configured to selectively permit power to be supplied to the vibration generator.