Implantable and rechargeable neural stimulator

• US 8,634,921 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2012
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US13/402,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20120158090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 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 system for therapeutically stimulating a neural stimulation target and myocardial tissue of a human, comprising:

a planet device and an implantable satellite device, wherein the planet device and the implantable satellite device are configured to communicate with each other using ultrasound energy, the planet device including an implantable cardiac rhythm management device configured to stimulate mycardial tissue, the satellite device including;

a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal;

an electrode;

a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, wherein the neural stimulator is configured to generate neural stimulation for delivery to the neural stimulation target through the electrode;

a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply, and further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator; and

a communication module connected to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound communication signals used to communicate with the planet device,

wherein the system is configured to use the satellite device to deliver a neural stimulation therapy selected from the group of neural stimulation therapies consisting of;

a therapy to treat hypertension, a therapy to provide treatment after a myocardial infarction, a therapy to treat arrhythmias, a therapy to treat heart failure, a therapy to treat syncope, and a therapy to treat orthostatic intolerance.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the planet device is configured to deliver the ultrasound signal used to recharge the rechargeable power supply of the satellite device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the planet device is configured to communicate with the satellite device to control a neural stimulation therapy delivered by the satellite device according to a neural stimulation protocol.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device is configured to stimulate a baroreceptor region in a carotid sinus.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device is configured to stimulate a baroreceptor region in a pulmonary artery.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device is configured to stimulate a vagus nerve.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device is configured to stimulate a carotid sinus nerve.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device is configured to stimulate a cardiac nerve.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein satellite device is configured to transvascularly deliver neural stimulation to the neural stimulation target.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further configured to use the satellite device to deliver a neural stimulation therapy to alleviate pain.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite device configured to deliver the neural stimulation therapy is further configured with a form factor to allow the satellite device to be implanted through a needle.

12. A system for therapeutically stimulating neural stimulation targets of a human, comprising:

an implantable planet device and at least two implantable satellite device, wherein the implantable planet device is configured to communicate with each of the satellite devices using ultrasound energy,

wherein the implantable planet device includes an implantable cardiac rhythm management device configured to stimulate myocardial tissue;

wherein each of the implantable satellite devices includes;

a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal;

an electrode;

a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, wherein the neural stimulator is configured to generate neural stimulation for delivery to one of the neural stimulation targets through the electrode;

a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply, and further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator; and

a communication module connected to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound communication signals used to communicate with the planet device,

wherein the system is configured to use at least one of the satellite devices to deliver a neural stimulation therapy to treat a cardiovascular disorder selected from the group of therapies consisting of;

a neural stimulation therapy to treat hypertension and a neural stimulation therapy to treat heart failure.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the neural targets includes a baroreceptor region, and at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate the baroreceptor region to deliver the therapy to treat hypertension.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the neural targets includes a baroreceptor region, and at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate the baroreceptor region to deliver the therapy to treat heart failure.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the satellite devices is configured to deliver a therapy selected from a group of therapies consisting of:

a therapy to provide treatment after a myocardial infarction,

a therapy to alleviate pain;

a therapy to treat arrhythmias;

a therapy to treat syncope; and

a therapy to treat orthostatic intolerance.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate a carotid sinus baroreceptor region.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least two implantable satellite devices are configured to stimulate carotid sinus baroreceptor regions.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate a pulmonary artery baroreceptor region.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate a vagus nerve.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least two implantable satellite devices are configured to stimulate vagus nerves.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate a fat pad.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the planet device is configured to deliver the ultrasound signal used to recharge the rechargeable power supply of the satellite device.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein the planet device is configured to communicate with the satellite device to control the neural stimulation therapy delivered by the satellite device according to a neural stimulation protocol.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein the neural targets includes a vagus nerve, and at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate the vagus nerve to deliver the therapy to treat hypertension.

25. The system of claim 12, wherein the neural targets includes a vagus nerve, and at least one of the satellite devices is configured to stimulate the vagus nerve to deliver the therapy to treat heart failure.

26. A system for therapeutically stimulating neural stimulation targets of a human, comprising:

an implantable cardiac rhythm management device configured to stimulate myocardial tissue and at least two implantable neural stimulator devices configured to stimulate neural tissue, wherein the implantable cardiac rhythm management device is configured to communicate with each of the at least two implantable neural stimulator devices using ultrasound energy,

wherein each of the implantable neural stimulation devices is configured with a form factor to allow the satellite device to be implanted through a needle and includes;

a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal;

an electrode;

a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, wherein the neural stimulator is configured to generate neural stimulation for delivery to one of the neural stimulation targets through the electrode;

a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply, and further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator; and

a communication module connected to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound communication signals used to communicate with the implantable cardiac rhythm management device, and

wherein the implantable cardiac rhythm management device is configured to command the implantable neural stimulation devices to provide a therapy selected from the group of therapies consisting of;

a neural stimulation therapy to treat hypertension;

a neural stimulation therapy to provide treatment after a myocardial infarction;

a neural stimulation therapy to treat arrhythmias; and

a neural stimulation therapy to treat heart failure.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the neural targets are selected from a group of neural targets consisting of:

carotid sinus baroreceptor sites;

pulmonary artery baroreceptor sites;

vagus nerves;

carotid sinus nerves;

cardiac nerves; and

cardiac fat pads.