Functional neuromuscular stimulation system
First Claim
1. A functional nueromuscular stimulation system comprising:
- an input command control means for providing electrical command signals indicative of a selected muscular response;
at least a first parameter selecting means for selecting properties of an electrical stimulation pulse train in accordance with the input command signal, the first channel including an amplitude means for selecting an amplitude of each stimulation pulse, an interval means for selecting an interpulse interval, and a pulse width means for selecting a width of each pulse;
a pulse train generator means for generating a train of stimulation pulses with the selected amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse width, the pulse train generator means being operatively connected with the first parameter selecting means; and
, at least a first electrode operatively connected with the pulse train generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input command controller (A) provides logic function selection signals and proportional signals. The signals are generated by movement of a ball member (12) and socket member (14) relative to two orthogonal axes. When the joystick is implanted, a transmitter (50) transmits the signals to a patient carried unit (B). The patient carried unit includes an amplitude modulation algorithm such as a look-up table (124), a pulse width modulation algorithm (132), and an interpulse interval modulation algorithm (128). The algorithms derive corresponding stimulus pulse train parameters from the proportional signal which parameters are transmitted to an implanted unit (D). The implanted unit has a power supply (302) that is powered by the carrier frequency of the transmitted signal and stimulation pulse train parameter decoders (314, 316, 318). An output unit (320) assembles pulse trains with the decoded parameters for application to implanted electrodes (E). A laboratory system (C) is periodically connected with the patient carried unit to measure for changes in patient performance and response and reprogram the algorithm accordingly. The laboratory system also performs initial examination, set up, and other functions.
140 Citations
69 Claims
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1. A functional nueromuscular stimulation system comprising:
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an input command control means for providing electrical command signals indicative of a selected muscular response;
at least a first parameter selecting means for selecting properties of an electrical stimulation pulse train in accordance with the input command signal, the first channel including an amplitude means for selecting an amplitude of each stimulation pulse, an interval means for selecting an interpulse interval, and a pulse width means for selecting a width of each pulse;
a pulse train generator means for generating a train of stimulation pulses with the selected amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse width, the pulse train generator means being operatively connected with the first parameter selecting means; and
,at least a first electrode operatively connected with the pulse train generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising:
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deriving an electrode command signal which is indicative of a preselected muscular response;
deriving pulse amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse width characteristics of an electrical stimulation pulse train from the command signal for each of a plurality of channels;
for each channel generating a stimulus pulse train with the selected amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse width parameters; and
,applying each pulse train to muscle tissue of a patient with an implanted electrode.
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18. A position monitoring system for providing output signals which vary in proportion to monitored movement relative to two axes, the system comprising:
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a permanent magnet mounted within a ball member;
at least three Hall-effect plates mounted in a socket in which the ball member is movably received;
a means for applying electrical potential across each of the Hall-effect plates in a first direction;
a means for monitoring a potential difference across each Hall-effect plate in a direction generally transverse to the first direction, the potential difference monitoring means each providing a monitor signal which varies in proportion to the potential difference such that as the ball member and socket move relative to each other, the physical proximity of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect plates changes as does the magnetic flux through each Hall-effect plate and the potential thereacross; and
,a means for deriving from the monitor signals first and second output signals which are indicative of the relative position of the ball member and socket along first and second axes, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A position monitoring system for providing output signals which vary in proportion to monitored movement relative to two axes, the system comprising:
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a ferrite core mounted within a ball member;
a socket member within which the ball member is rotatably mounted;
a driving coil operatively connected with the socket member;
a plurality of sensing coils mounted to the socket member and disposed adjacent the ferrite core such that transfer of an input signal from the driving coil to each of the sensing coils is controlled by the relative proximity of the ferrite core to each sensing coil, whereby the relative position of the socket and ball members is indicated by the relative signal transfer to the sensing coils.
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23. A method of monitoring movement relative to two axes, the method comprising:
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mounting permanent magnetic within a ball member;
mounting at least three Hall-effect plates in a socket in which the ball member is movably received, the plates being mounted such that at least two axes are defined therethrough;
applying an electrical potential across each of the Hall-effect plates in a first direction;
moving the ball member relative to the socket such that the permanent magnet is moved relative to the Hall-effect plates such that the magnetic flux through each Hall-effect plate changes with the relative movement between the ball member and socket, the change in magnetic flux causing a change in a path of current flow generally along the first direction of each plate which alters the potential across the Hall-effect plate, whereby the change in potential across each Hall-effect plate is indicative of the relative proximity between the permanent magnet and the Hall-effect plate and the potential across the Hall-effect plates is indicative of the relative position of the ball member and the socket;
monitoring the potential difference across each Hall-effect plate in the direction generally transverse to the first direction; and
,deriving at least two output signals indicative of the relative ball member and socket position from the monitored potential differences.
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24. An implantable telemetry system for transmitting encoded signals, the telemetry system comprising:
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an antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal;
a power supply operatively connected with the antenna to convert the received radio frequency signal into electromotive power;
an encoding means for encoding at least a first signal to produce an encoded signal, the encoding means being operatively connected with the power supply to receive electromotive power therefrom;
a gate means for selectively gating a load across the antenna to modulate a characteristic thereof such that a monitorable characteristic of the radio frequency signal is modulated by the applied load, the gate means being operatively connected with the encoding means to be controlled by the encoded signal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of transmitting encoding information on radio frequency signals, the method comprising:
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transmitting a radio frequency signal from exterior to a patient;
receiving the radio frequency signal on an antenna within a patient;
converting the radio frequency signal received by the antenna into electromotive power;
within the patient, generating a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient with the electromotive power;
gating a load across the antenna in accordance with the physiological parameter signal to modulate a characteristic of the antenna and a monitorable characteristic of the radio frequency signal; and
,monitoring the monitorable characteristic of the radio frequency signal exterior of the patient to recover the physiological parameter signal.
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32. A functional, neuromuscular stimulation system comprising:
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a command processing means for deriving command control parameters from joystick positions;
a movement planning means for deriving movement parameters from the control parameters;
a coordination and regulation means for deriving electrical stimulus signal parameters from the movement parameters; and
,a stimulus generator for generating electrical stimulus signals with the derived parameters for application to implanted electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising:
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deriving command control parameters from positions of a joystick;
deriving movement parameters from the command control parameters;
deriving electrical stimulus signal parameters from the movement parameters; and
,generating electrical stimulus signals with the derived parameters and applying the electrical stimulus signals to implanted electrodes.
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38. An implantable electrical stimulus system for providing electrical stimulation pulse trains of selectable parameters to stimulus electrodes implanted in muscle tissue, the stimulus system comprising:
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a power supply means for converting energy from a carrier frequency of a received modulated input signal into electrical potential for operating components of the implanted stimulus system and for providing electrical currents to the electrodes;
a decoding means for decoding encoded stimulus pulse train parameters from the received modulated input signal, the decoding means including a channel decoder for decoding which electrode is to apply a stimulus pulse train with the decoded parameters, a pulse width decoder for determining the pulse width of pulses of the stimulus pulse train, and an amplitude decoder for determining an amplitude of the pulses of the stimulus pulse train;
an energy storage means for separately storing a source of electrical potential for each stimulus electrode;
a channel selection means for selectively passing pulses of electrical current from the energy storage means between the selected stimulus electrode and a reference electrode with the selected pulse width; and
,a stimulus current regulating means for regulating the amplitude of the stimulus pulses in accordance with the amplitude decoded by the amplitude decoding means. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of providing electrical stimulation pulse trains of selectable parameters to electrodes which are implanted in muscle tissue, the method comprising:
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receiving an input signal which includes a carrier frequency modulated with encoded stimulus pulse train parameters;
converting energy from the carrier frequency into an electrical operating potential;
decoding the encoded stimulus pulse train parameters from the received modulated input signal, the decoding including decoding at least an indication of which electrode is to apply the stimulus pulse train, a pulse width of the pulses of the pulse train, and an amplitude of the pulses of the pulse train;
for each electrode, separately storing a source of electrical potential with energy from the electrical operating potential;
selectively passing pulses of electrical current from the separately stored electrical potential between the selected stimulus electrode and a reference electrode with the selected pulse width; and
,regulating the amplitude of the stimulus pulses in accordance with the decoded amplitude.
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50. A percutaneous interface shield system for protecting electrical leads which pass through a patient'"'"'s skin, the shield system comprising:
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a shield member having a peripheral lip portion extending peripherally around a low profile central portion, the central portion defining an aperture to be disposed over a site at which the leads pass through the patient'"'"'s skin, the central portion being configured of an elastomeric material;
an electrical connector connected with the central region, the leads which pass through the patient'"'"'s skin being operatively connected with the shield mounted electrical connector; and
,an adhesive means for adhering the shield member with the patient'"'"'s skin. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A method of of providing a percutaneous interface comprising:
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passing at least one electrical lead through a site in a patient'"'"'s skin;
connecting the electrical lead with a first electrical connector which is mounted in a shield member, which shield member has a peripheral lip portion surrounding a low profile central portion, the central portion defining an aperture therethrough in communication with the first electrical connector which is mounted to the central portion;
adhering the central and peripheral portions to the patient'"'"'s skin with a layer of adhesive;
adhesively applying an overlay member having an aperture therethrough which corresponds generally in size to the sheild member central portion over the peripheral lip portion and the patient'"'"'s skin therearound such that the shield member is securely adhered to the patient'"'"'s skin around the lead penetration site; and
,connecting a second electrical connector with the first connector.
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62. An implantable electrical stimulus system including:
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a receiving antenna for receiving radio frequency signals indicative of stimuli to be applied to electrodes;
a metal capsule defining a hermetically sealed chamber therein, the antenna being mechanically interconnected with the capsule;
electrical circuitry mounted within the capsule cavity in electrical communication with the antenna for converting received radio frequency signals into stimulus pulses for each of a plurality of electrodes; and
,a plurality of electrical leads, each electrical lead being electrically connected with the electrical circuitry and being mechanically interconnected with the metal capsule. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65)
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66. An electrical lead for providing electrical stimulation signals to an implanted electrode, the lead comprising:
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first and second lengths of multi-strand wire wrapped into a helix extending along a longitudinal axis of the lead such that the wires and the lead may be readily flexed about the axis with minimal fatigue to the wires;
a flexible polymeric insulator material encapsulating the wires. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69)
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Specification