Insert tool for selectively powering an implant unit

• US 9,393,435 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Man & Science S.A.
• Original Assignee: Adi Mashiach
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes, Rex R
• Application Number:
  US14/519,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20150039056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 607/42, 607/44, 607/46, 607/62, 607/116
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36189 using modulation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

An implant unit delivery tool is disclosed having an implant tool and an implant activator. The implant tool may be configured to retain an implant unit during an implantation procedure in which the implant unit is fixated to tissue. The implant activator may be associated with the implant tool. Additionally, the implant activator may be configured to selectively transfer power to the implant unit during the implantation procedure to cause modulation of at least one nerve in the body of a subject prior to final fixation of the implant unit to the tissue.

Claims

1. A method of testing the functionality of an implant unit, the method comprising:

moving an implant activator from a first position to a second position on a delivery tool prior to final fixation of an implant unit by the delivery tool, the implant unit being configured for implantation within a body of a subject during a treatment session;

testing the implant unit at an implant location in the body of the subject by transferring power from the implant activator to the implant unit when the implant activator is in the second position, wherein transferring power to the implant unit causes modulation of at least one nerve in the body of the subject;

suturing the implant unit in place at the implant location; and

after suturing the implant unit, releasing the implant unit from the delivery tool.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein power is wirelessly transferred from the implant activator to the implant unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant activator includes a power source configured to supply the power to the implant unit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the power source is a battery.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second position is closer to the implant unit than the first position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the implant activator from the first position to the second position includes sliding the implant activator along a track on the delivery tool.

7. The method of claim 6, further including selectively activating the implant activator and causing the implant activator to move toward and away from the implant unit with a slidable engagement portion.

8. The method of claim 1, further including:

determining that the implant location is suitable based on one or more patient signals; and

implanting the implant unit at the location.

9. The method of claim 8, further including:

determining that a first implant location is not suitable based on one or more patient signals; and

moving the implant location to a second implant location.

10. The method of claim 1, further including fixing the implant unit in place relative to tissue in the body of the subject.