Neurostimulator

• US 8,774,928 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Towe, Bruce, Crisp, William
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US13/692,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 607/48
• US Class Current: 607/48
• 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 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Methods and devices for stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry, an acoustic transducer and a pair of electrodes.

Claims

1. An implantable neurostimulator comprising:

a first electrode electrically coupled to a first piezoelectric material;

a second electrode electrically coupled to the first piezoelectric material;

a third electrode electrically coupled to a second piezoelectric material;

a fourth electrode electrically coupled to the second piezoelectric material;

a biocompatible coating surrounding first and second piezoelectric materials;

where the first piezoelectric material is configured to provide an electrical potential to biological tissue through the first and second electrodes in response to an ultrasound signal;

where the second piezoelectric material is configured to provide an electrical potential to biological tissue through the third and fourth electrodes in response to an ultrasound signal;

where the first and second piezoelectric materials have different resonant frequencies; and

where the first and second electrodes protrude through the biocompatible coating.

2. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, where the biocompatible coating is configured to reduce an immunological response to the implantable neurostimulator when the neurostimulator is implanted in biological tissue.

3. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, where the biocompatible coating is configured to protect the implantable neurostimulator from exposure to biological tissue.

4. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, where the biocompatible coating is configured to protect biological tissue from the implantable neurostimulator.

5. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, where the biocompatible coating is configured to enable efficient acoustic power transfer from biological tissue to the first piezoelectric material.

6. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 5, where the biocompatible coating is effectively transparent to ultrasound.

7. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 5, where the biocompatible coating is loaded with an additive.

8. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 7, where the additive is tungsten.

9. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 5, where an acoustic impedance of the biocompatible coating is matched with an acoustic impedance of the first piezoelectric material.

10. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 9, where the thickness of the biocompatible coating is approximately one quarter of the wavelength of a pressure wave that can be used to stimulate the first piezoelectric material.