Electrode configuration for implantable modulator

• US 8,644,957 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Original Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tejani, Ankit
• Application Number:
  US13/630,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20130085545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0504 Subcutaneous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 : of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 : Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 : adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 : adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36075 : Headache or migraine
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 : Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 : for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 : Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 : using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 : with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 : specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 : Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 : Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 : Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 : Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3727 : characterised by the modulation technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 : Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 : using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A device according to some embodiments may include an implantable flexible carrier and a pair of electrodes located on the carrier. The electrodes may be spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and may be configured to cause, when supplied with an electrical signal, a unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate at least one nerve.

Claims

1. A sleep disordered breathing therapy device, comprising:

an implantable flexible carrier configured for implantation proximal to a genioglossus muscle of a subject;

a pair of electrodes located on the implantable flexible carrier;

a power interface located on the implantable flexible carrier configured to receive a power signal; and

circuitry located on the implantable flexible carrier in electrical communication with the power interface and the pair of electrodes and configured to receive the power signal transferred from the power interface, and, in response to receiving the power signal, send an electrical signal to the electrodes,

wherein the pair of electrodes are spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and are configured to facilitate, when supplied with the electrical signal, a substantially unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate a hypoglossal nerve, and

wherein the pair of electrodes are further configured to modulate the hypoglossal nerve when tissue of the subject is interposed between the pair of electrodes and the hypoglossal nerve.

2. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein modulation of the hypoglossal nerve includes a stimulation signal sufficient to cause a contraction of the genioglossus muscle.

3. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein tissue of the subject includes tissue of the genioglossus muscle.

4. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein the tissue interposed between the pair of electrodes and the hypoglossal nerve is greater than 5 mm in thickness.

5. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes and the hypoglossal nerve are spaced apart by a distance greater than 5 mm.

6. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein the implantable flexible carrier comprises attachment points configured for securing the implantable flexible carrier to a surface of the genioglossus muscle.

7. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein the implantable flexible carrier comprises an insulative material, and wherein the pair of electrodes are exposed on one side of the implantable flexible carrier.

8. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, further comprising at least one pair of additional electrodes.

9. The sleep disordered breathing therapy device of claim 1, wherein the power interface includes an antenna adapted to receive a transmitted alternating current signal, and

wherein the circuitry includes a converter configured to convert the alternating current signal into a direct current signal for delivery to the pair of electrodes.