Implantable stimulator

• US 20070112404A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mann, Alfred, He, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,920,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• 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

Abstract

An implantable stimulator includes a tube assembly that is configured to house a number of components that are configured to apply at least one stimulus to at least one stimulation site within a patient. The tube assembly has a shape that allows the stimulator to be implanted within said patient in a pre-determined orientation. Exemplary methods of stimulating a stimulation site within a patient include applying an electrical stimulation current to a stimulation site via one or more electrodes extending along one or more sides of a stimulator. The stimulator has a shape allowing the stimulator to be implanted within the patient in a pre-determined orientation.

Claims

1. An implantable stimulator, said stimulator comprising:

a tube assembly configured to house a number of components configured to apply at least one stimulus to at least one stimulation site within a patient;

wherein said tube assembly has a shape allowing said stimulator to be implanted within said patient in a predetermined orientation.

2. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising a film electrode assembly comprising a number of electrodes, said film electrode assembly coupled to said stimulator such that said electrodes extend along one or more sides of said stimulator, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via one or more of said electrodes.

3. The stimulator of claim 2, further comprising a feed through assembly coupled to said tube assembly and said film electrode assembly, said feed through assembly comprising a number of conductive feed throughs configured to electrically couple one or more of said components housed within said tube assembly to said electrodes.

4. The stimulator of claim 3, wherein said tube assembly comprises a first connecting ring hermetically brazed to a proximal end of said tube assembly and wherein said feed through assembly comprises a second connecting ring, wherein said first connecting ring of said tube assembly is hermetically coupled to said second connecting ring of said feed through assembly.

5. The stimulator of claim 4, wherein said first connecting ring of said tube assembly and said second connecting ring of said feed through assembly are made of titanium.

6. The stimulator of claim 2, wherein said film electrode assembly comprises a first member supporting at least one of said electrodes and a second member supporting at least one of said electrodes, said first member coupled to and extending along a first side of said stimulator and said second member coupled to and extending along a second side of said stimulator.

7. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising a number of electrodes disposed on a surface of said stimulator, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via one or more of said electrodes.

8. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to said tube assembly, said battery configured to provide power for said components housed within said tube assembly.

9. The stimulator of claim 8, wherein said tube assembly comprises a connecting ring hermetically brazed to a distal end of said tube assembly and wherein said battery comprises a second connecting ring hermetically brazed to a proximal end of said battery, wherein said connecting ring of said tube assembly is hermetically coupled to said connecting ring of said battery.

10. The stimulator of claim 9, wherein said connecting ring of said tube assembly and said connecting ring of said battery are made of titanium.

11. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising an indifferent electrode for completing one or more stimulation circuits.

12. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said tube assembly is configured to allow passage of a magnetic field.

13. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said tube assembly is made of ceramic.

14. The stimulator of claim 1, wherein said components housed within said tube assembly comprise:

a programmable memory unit for storing one or more stimulation parameters; and

electrical circuitry configured to generate said stimulus, said stimulus comprising a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site in accordance with said stimulation parameters.

15. The stimulator of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor device for sensing at least one indicator related to a medical condition of said patient;

wherein said stimulator uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust said stimulus applied to said at least one stimulation site.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said shape of said tube assembly is non-cylindrical.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein a height of said stimulator is substantially equal to or less than 4.25 millimeters, a width of said stimulator is substantially equal to or less than 7.25 millimeters, and a length of said stimulator is substantially equal to or less than 28 millimeters.

18. A method of stimulating a stimulation site within a patient, said method comprising:

applying an electrical stimulation current to a stimulation site via one or more electrodes disposed on one or more sides of a stimulator;

wherein said stimulator has a shape allowing said stimulator to be implanted within said patient in a pre-determined orientation.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

generating said stimulation current with a number of components;

housing said components within a tube assembly; and

providing power for said components with a battery coupled to said tube assembly.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said electrodes are disposed on a film electrode assembly, said film electrode assembly coupled to said one or more sides of said stimulator.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising delivering said stimulation current to said stimulation site in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.

22. An implantable stimulator, said stimulator comprising:

means for housing a number of components configured to apply at least one stimulus to at least one stimulation site within a patient; and

means for selectively delivering said at least one stimulus to said at least one stimulation site, said means for selectively delivering said stimulus coupled to one or more sides of said stimulator;

wherein said stimulator has a shape allowing said stimulator to be implanted within said patient in a pre-determined orientation.

23. The stimulator of claim 22, further comprising a battery coupled to said means for housing said components, said battery configured to provide power for said components.

24. The stimulator of claim 22, further comprising means for electrically coupling one or more of said components to said means for selectively delivering said stimulus to said at least one stimulation site.

25. The stimulator of claim 22, wherein said components comprise:

means for storing one or more stimulation parameters; and

means for generating said at least one stimulus in accordance with said stimulation parameters.

26. The stimulator of claim 22, further comprising:

means for sensing at least one indicator related to a medical condition of said patient;

wherein said stimulator uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust said stimulus applied to said at least one stimulation site.