Implantable microstimulators with programmable multielectrode configuration and uses thereof

• US 9,409,028 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Whitehurst, Todd K., Carbunaru, Rafael, Bradley, Kerry, McGivern, James P., Haller, Matthew I., He, Tom Xiaohai, Kuzma, Janusz A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIETRICH, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/546,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 607/46, 607/48, 607/49
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• 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

Abstract

Miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators) with programmably configurable electrodes allow, among other things, steering of the electric fields created. In addition, the microstimulators are capable of producing unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs).

Claims

1. A method of electronically positioning a microstimulator implanted within a patient, the microstimulator having an elongate casing, a power source contained in the elongate casing, and programmably configurable electrodes disposed on an exterior surface of the elongate casing, at least some of the electrodes being partitioned into separately activated electrodes located at different positions along an arc extending along an outer extent of the elongate casing, the method comprising:

directing electrical stimulation from a subset of the programmably configurable electrodes into a volume of tissue;

allowing the microstimulator to rotate within the patient about a long axis of the microstimulator;

reprogramming the programmably configurable electrodes to select a different subset of the programmably configurable electrodes to compensate for the rotation of the microstimulator within the patient; and

directing electrical stimulation from the different subset of the programmably configurable electrodes into the volume of tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator further has a data receiver contained within the elongate casing, the method further comprising receiving data from an external programmer via the data receiver to reprogram the programmably configurable electrodes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate casing is cylindrical.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate casing has a length equal to or less than 40 mm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate casing has a diameter equal to or less than 5 mm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of tissue comprises a vagus nerve.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of tissue comprises a cavernous nerve.