Implantable and rechargeable neural stimulator

• US 20070093875A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Scheiner, Avram, Caparso, Anthony, Chavan, Abhi
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal, a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, and a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode. The controller is further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol. Other aspects are provided herein.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal;

a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, the neural stimulator being adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode; and

a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply, and further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor connected to the controller, and electrically connected to the power supply.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor electrically connected to the controller.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the electrode and the pressure sensor are integrated with a housing of the implantable medical device.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein both of the electrode and the pressure sensor are integrated with a housing of the implantable medical device.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the controller is adapted to control a neural stimulation process in response to a sensed pressure within the vessel.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the controller is adapted to control a baroreceptor stimulation process in response to a sensed pressure within the vessel.

8. The device of claim 7, where in the controller is adapted to control a vagal stimulation process in response to the sensed pressure within the vessel.

9. The device of claim 7, where in the controller is adapted to control neural stimulation of a cardiac nerve in response to the sensed pressure within the vessel.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device is adapted to be chronically implanted in a vessel.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device has a stent-like structure adapted to expand to secure the device in the vessel.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module connected to the controller, the communication module being adapted to transmit and receive ultrasound communication signals.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is adapted to communicate with at least one other implantable device using ultrasound communication signals.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is adapted to communicate with an external device using ultrasound communication signals.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to deliver the neural stimulation signal through a lead to the electrode.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to wirelessly deliver the neural stimulation signal to the electrode.

17. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a structure selected from a group of structures consisting of;

a structure adapted to be chronically implanted within a vessel, and a structure adapted to be subcutaneously implanted using a hypodermic needle;

a rechargeable battery connected to the structure;

a transducer adapted to charge the rechargeable battery using ultrasound energy;

a sensor electrically connected to the rechargeable battery;

a neural stimulator electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and

a controller electrically connected to the rechargeable battery and adapted to communicate with the sensor and the neural stimulator.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the structure includes stent-like structure adapted to be chronically implanted in a vessel, and the sensor includes a pressure sensor.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to deliver a neural stimulation therapy using at least one electrode attached on the stent-like structure.

20. The device of claim 17, further comprising a communication module electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, the communication module being adapted to communicate with another device using ultrasound signals.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator to provide a neural stimulation therapy using feedback from the pressure sensor.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a treatment following myocardial infarction.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a treatment to alleviate pain.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a therapy for hypertension.

25. A system, comprising:

at least two implantable medical devices, each device being adapted to be chronically implanted into a vessel, each device including;

a rechargeable battery and an ultrasound transducer connected to the battery and adapted to recharge the battery using an ultrasound signal;

a neural stimulator adapted to be powered by the battery;

a sensor adapted to be powered by the battery;

a controller electrically connected to a neural stimulator and the pressure sensor; and

a communication module adapted to be powered by the battery and to transmit and receive ultrasound communication signals to another implantable medical device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor adapted to sense a blood pressure within the vessel.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the controllers for the at least two medical devices are adapted to control the neural stimulator to provide a neural stimulation therapy using feedback from the pressure sensor.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a treatment following myocardial infarction.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a treatment to alleviate pain.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes a therapy for hypertension.

31. A method of operating an implantable medical device with a pressure sensor and a neural stimulator chronically implanted in a vessel, comprising;

sensing a pressure within the vessel using the pressure sensor;

stimulating a neural target using the neural stimulator; and

recharging a power supply using ultrasound signals.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising communicating with another device using ultrasound signals.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein communicating with another device using ultrasound signals includes communicating with another implantable device using ultrasound signals.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein stimulating a neural target using the neural stimulator includes stimulating the neural target using an electrode on a housing of the implantable device.