Implantable Electrical Stimulator

• US 20110093036A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Man & Science S.A.
• Original Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Inventors: MASHIACH, Adi
• Granted Patent: US 10,806,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

An implantable stimulator for stimulating muscles or nerves, including, an array of electrodes for electrically stimulating muscles or nerves, a controller for controlling the activity of the electrodes, and wherein the controller is adapted to dynamically select the electrodes that are used to participate in stimulating the muscles or nerves.

Claims

1. An implantable stimulator for stimulating muscles or nerves, comprising:

an array of electrodes for electrically stimulating muscles or nerves;

a controller for controlling the activity of the electrodes;

wherein said controller is adapted to dynamically select the electrodes that are used to participate in stimulating the muscles or nerves.

2. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1 further comprising a power source to power the stimulator.

3. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1 further comprising a transceiver to wirelessly communicate with external devices and receive commands for said controller;

4. An implantable stimulator according to claim 3, wherein said controller selects the electrodes responsive to a communication from an external device.

5. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said controller periodically updates the selection of electrodes to participate in stimulation of the muscle or nerve.

6. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said controller selects the electrodes responsive to a determination made by electrical measurements made by the electrodes.

7. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein substantially all the electrodes can serve as inputs to measure electrical activity in the muscles or nerves and as outputs to electrically stimulate the muscles or nerves.

8. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein some of the electrodes serve as inputs to measure electrical activity in the muscles or nerves and some of the electrodes serve as outputs to electrically stimulate the muscles or nerves.

9. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein the density of the array of electrodes is greater than the density of the active contact points of the muscle or nerve being stimulated by the stimulator.

10. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said array of electrodes is connected by flexible wires to the other elements of said stimulator.

11. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said stimulator is made up from multiple independent parts connected together electrically by a flexible connection.

12. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said stimulator is made up from flexible material.

13. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said array of electrodes forms a three-dimensional shape shielding the controller in said three-dimensional shape.

14. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, and said controller is located within said housing.

15. An implantable stimulator according to claim 2, further comprising a housing, and the controller, and the power source are located within said housing.

16. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said stimulator is adapted to be implanted at the base of a person'"'"'s tongue.

17. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, further comprising sensors to sense physiological parameters of the person with the implanted stimulator.

18. An implantable stimulator according to claim 17, wherein said sensors are adapted to sense physical parameters from the group consisting of temperature, vibrations, and audio signals.

19. An implantable stimulator according to claim 17, wherein said stimulator is activated responsive to measurements received by said sensors.

20. An implantable stimulator according to claim 1, wherein said power source receives power wirelessly.

21. A method of stimulating muscles or nerves using an implantable stimulator with an array of electrodes, comprising:

dynamically selecting the electrodes that will participate in stimulating the muscle or nerve from the available electrodes; and

activating the selected electrodes to stimulate the muscle or nerve.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising implanting the stimulator so that the array of electrodes is in proximity with a muscle or nerve.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is performed manually by a practitioner by communicating with the stimulator and instructing the stimulator to activate one or more electrodes or groups of electrodes while observing the response.

24. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is performed by the electrode array measuring electrical parameters through one or more electrodes or group of electrodes and making a selection based on the results of said measurements.

25. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is performed by the electrode array measuring electrical parameters through an external device.

26. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is repeated periodically.

27. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is activated responsive to inputs accepted by said stimulator.

28. A method according to claim 21 wherein the selection is activated responsive to sensor input.

29. A method according to claim 21 wherein dynamically selecting further comprises performing a pre-programmed algorithm to weigh the results from various inputs and determining whether to provide a stimulation.

30. A method according to claim 29 further comprising determining the specific stimulation protocol to provide.

31. A method according to claim 21, wherein the dynamic selection is responsive to electrical measurements at the location of the electrodes.

32. A method according to claim 21, wherein the dynamic selection is responsive to responsiveness of the nerve or muscle at the location of the electrodes.

33. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of adjusting the stimulator responsive to a measurement before activating the stimulator.

34. The method according to claim 21 wherein the stimulation is provided at specific times, for specific time duration, or periodically.