Implantable microstimulator with dissecting tip and/or retrieving anchor and methods of manufacture and use

• US 20060271109A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Kuzma, Janusz A., He, Tom Xiaohai, Pianca, Anne
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

An implantable microstimulator can include a housing having a first end; an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly; and a dissecting tip disposed at the first end of the housing. Another implantable microstimulator includes a housing having a first end; an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly; and a extraction aid disposed at the first end of the housing and configured and arranged for attachment of an extraction line.

Claims

1. An implantable microstimulator, comprising:

a housing having a first end;

an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing;

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly; and

a dissecting tip disposed at the first end of the housing.

2. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the dissecting tip is a blunt dissecting tip.

3. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the dissecting tip is metal.

4. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the blunt dissecting tip is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

5. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the blunt dissecting tip is conical.

6. The implantable microstimulator of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a second end and the implantable microstimulator further comprises an extraction aid disposed at the second end of the housing and configured and arranged for attachment of an extraction line.

7. The implantable microstimulator of claim 6, further comprising an extraction line coupled to the extraction aid.

8. The implantable microstimulator of claim 7, further comprising an anchor attached to the extraction line.

9. The implantable microstimulator of claim 6, wherein the extraction aid defines a hole through which an extraction line can be passed.

10. An implantable microstimulator, comprising:

a housing having a first end;

an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing;

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly; and

an extraction aid disposed at the first end of the housing and configured and arranged for attachment of an extraction line.

11. The implantable microstimulator of claim 10, further comprising an extraction line coupled to the extraction aid.

12. The implantable microstimulator of claim 11, further comprising an anchor attached to the extraction line.

13. The implantable microstimulator of claim 11, wherein the extraction aid defines a hole through which an extraction line can be passed.

14. A method of using an implantable microstimulator, the method comprising:

providing an implantable microstimulator comprising a housing having a first end, an electronic subassembly disposed within the housing, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the housing and coupled to the electronic subassembly, and a dissecting tip disposed at the first end of the housing;

inserting the microstimulator in a body of a patient using the dissecting tip to open a path to body tissue to be stimulated; and

providing signals to the electrodes to stimulate the body tissue.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dissecting tip is conductive and is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrodes and wherein providing signals to the electrodes comprises using the dissecting tip as an electrode to assist in stimulating the body tissue.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the microstimulator further comprises an extraction aid disposed on a second end of the housing, the method further comprising attaching an extraction line to the extraction aid.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching an anchor to the extraction line.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising implanting the anchor near a skin region of the patient.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying the anchor prior to extracting the microstimulator.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising extracting the microstimulator using the extraction line.