Abstract

A headset for positioning an electronic device against a head of a patient includes a flexible frame configured to surround a portion of the head, the flexible frame defining an interior channel and an exterior slot, a curved structure configured to grasp an ear of the patient, the curved structure being movable within the interior channel of the flexible frame for accommodating a size of the head, and a mount including a support base to which the electronic device can be attached, the mount being slidable along the exterior slot of the flexible frame to position the electronic device along the head.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• A61N 1/375 - Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• A42B 1/22 - HatsCapsHoods adjustable in size
• A42B 1/245 - Means for mounting audio or communication systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for implanting a passive implantable stimulator device to targeted excitable tissue, such as nerves, for treating chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, sleep apnea, seizures, incontinence, pain associated with cancer, incontinence, problems of movement initiation and control, involuntary movements, vascular insufficiency, heart arrhythmias, obesity, diabetes, craniofacial pain, such as migraines or cluster headaches, and other disorders. In certain embodiments, a device may be used to send electrical energy to targeted nerve tissue by using remote radio frequency (RF) energy without cables or inductive coupling to power a passive implanted wireless stimulator device. The targeted nerves can include, but are not limited to, the spinal cord and surrounding areas, including the dorsal horn, dorsal root ganglion, the exiting nerve roots, nerve ganglions, the dorsal column fibers and the peripheral nerve bundles leaving the dorsal column and brain.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods
• A61B 17/04 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for closing wounds or holding wounds closedAccessories for use therewith for suturing woundsHolders or packages for needles or suture materials
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode

Abstract

An ear-piece assembly includes (i) an antenna portion enclosing a transmitting antenna configured to send one or more input signals containing electrical energy to a passive implantable neural stimulator device such that the passive implantable neural stimulator generates one or more stimulation pulses suitable for stimulating a neural structure in the craniofacial region solely using the electrical energy in the input signals; and (ii) an enclosure coupled to the antenna portion, wherein enclosure is sized and shaped to be mounted on a helix portion of an ear such that, when worn by a patient, weight from the enclosure is distributed over the helix portion of the ear for the enclosure to rest thereon, wherein the enclosure comprises (i) a controller module configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna, and (ii) a battery adapted to provide energy to the ear-piece assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

A flexible circuit includes a substrate; one or more radio-frequency (RF) ports on the substrate, the ports configured to couple to RF antennas configured to receive RF pulses from an external controller device; one or more banks of components on the substrate, the one or more banks of components configured to extract RF energy from the received RF pulses and to deliver electrical pulses suitable to stimulate neural tissue; an integrated circuit (IC) component on the substrate, the IC component configured to generate the electrical pulses suitable to stimulate neural tissue solely based on the extracted RF energy; and wherein the substrate, the one or more banks of components, and the integrated circuit component are sized and positioned on the substrate such that the flexible circuit flexes during implantation in a patient without becoming inoperable.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes: a radio-frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) rectifying circuit coupled to one or more antenna on an implantable wirelessly powered device, the rectifying circuit configured to: rectify an input RF signal received at the one or more antennas and from an external controller through electric radiative coupling; and extract DC electric power and configuration data from the input RF signal; a logic control circuit connected to the rectifying circuit and a driving circuit, the logic control circuit configured to: generate a current for the driving circuit solely using the extracted DC electrical power; in accordance with the extracted configuration data, set polarity state information for each electrode; and a driving circuit coupled to one or more electrode, the driving circuit comprising current mirrors and being configured to: steer, to each electrode and via the current mirrors, a stimulating current solely from the generated current.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/00 - ElectrotherapyCircuits therefor

Abstract

An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/00 - ElectrotherapyCircuits therefor

Abstract

A device and method for modulating nerve tissue in a body of a patient includes a wireless implantable self-contained neurostimulator, which generates power from radiated energy and does not rely upon battery power or charge storage for operation. The neurostimulator is movable between a closed position for advancing to a target site near a nerve within the patient's body, and an open position for positioning the neurostimulator around the targeted nerve such that it substantially surrounds the nerve. An input signal is delivered wirelessly to the neurostimulator to provide power and waveform parameters sufficient to generate electrical impulses for modulating the nerve to treat pain and/or disorders.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents

Abstract

A method and system is presented for an implantable wireless power receiver for use with a medical stimulation or monitoring device. The receiver receives transmitted energy through one or more non-inductive antenna(s), utilizes microelectronics to perform rectification of the received signal for generation of a DC power supply to power an implantable device, and may also utilize microelectronics to provide parameter settings to the device, or stimulating or other waveforms to a tissue.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers

Abstract

Some implementations provide a method for treating urological disorders in a patient, the method including: placing an introducer into a patient's body through an incision site on the patient's body, the patient suffering from an urological disorder; placing an implantable wireless device into an inner lumen of the introducer, the implantable wireless device suitable to fit into the inner lumen and configured to receive electromagnetic energy non-inductively from a source located outside the patient's body; through the inner lumen of the introducer, positioning the implantable wireless device adjacent to or near one or more excitable tissue in the patient, the one or more excitable tissue regulating a nerve activity associated with the urological disorder; and causing neural modulation of the one or more excitable tissue through one or more electrodes on the implantable wireless device.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/04 - Electrodes
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61N 1/08 - Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating
• A61N 1/18 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
• A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
• A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

Some implementations may provide an implantable wirelessly powered device that includes: one or more electrodes configured to apply one or more electrical pulses to an excitable tissue; and a first antenna configured to: receive, from a second antenna and through electrical radiative coupling, an input signal containing electrical energy, the second antenna being physically separate from the implantable device; and one or more circuits electrically connected to the first antenna, the circuits configured to: create the one or more electrical pulses suitable for stimulation of excitable tissue using the electrical energy contained in the input signal; and supply the one or more electrical pulses to the one or more electrodes, wherein the implantable device is shaped and arranged for delivery into a subject's body through an introducer or a needle of 18 gauge or smaller.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/04 - Measuring bioelectric signals of the body or parts thereof
• A61B 5/0492 - Electrodes specially adapted therefor, e.g. needle electrodes
• A61N 1/04 - Electrodes
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61N 1/08 - Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating
• A61N 1/18 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
• A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
• A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

Some implementations provide a method for treating craniofacial pain in a patient, the method including: placing a wirelessly powered passive device through an opening into a target site in a head or neck region of the patient's body, the wirelessly powered passive device configured to receive an input signal non-inductively from an external antenna; positioning the wirelessly powered passive device adjacent to or near a nerve at the target site; and causing neural modulation to the nerve through one or more electrodes on the wirelessly powered passive device.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode

Abstract

Some implementations provide a method of treating chronic pain or inflammation with neural modulation, the method including: placing a surgical instrument to reach into a torso section of a patient's body, the patient suffering from chronic pain or inflammation in a primary area in the torso section; placing a wireless device into an opening on the surgical instrument, the wireless device suitable to fit into the opening and configured to receive electromagnetic energy non-inductively from a source located outside the patient's body; through the opening on the surgical instrument, positioning the wireless electrode lead adjacent to or near excitable tissue in the primary area in the torso section of the patient; and causing electrical pulses to be delivered to one or more electrodes on the wireless device such that neural modulation is applied to the excitable tissue in the primary area in the torso section.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus is presented for a wireless neural modulation feedback control system as it relates to an implantable medical device comprised of a radio frequency (RF) receiver circuit, one or more dipole or patch antenna(s), one or more electrode leads connected to at least one dipole or patch antenna(s), and at least one microelectronic neural modulation circuit, and an external or internally implanted RF device to neurally modulate brain tissue in order to treat medical conditions that can be mediated by neuronal activation or inhibition, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, other motor or mood based disorders, and/or pain. The implantable receiver captures energy radiated by the RF transmitter unit and converts this energy to an electrical waveform by the implanted neural modulation circuit to deliver energy that can be utilized by the attached electrode pads in order to activate targeted neurons in the brain.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers

Abstract

A wearable device for facilitating neurophysiological treatment to a patient harboring an implanted neural stimulator is provided. The wearable device includes a transmitting antenna configured to accept one or more input signals and to transmit one or more electromagnetic signals to a neural stimulator that is implanted in a patient's body. The wearable device further includes a control circuitry configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna. The wearable device further includes a battery that provides electrical power to at least the control circuitry. The wearable device is configured to be worn outside the patient's body.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/00 - ElectrotherapyCircuits therefor

Abstract

A device for providing an implantable lead with wireless energy, the device including: a housing configured for implantation in a patient's body; one or more non-inductive antennas substantially enclosed within the housing and configured to receive electromagnetic energy radiated from a source located outside of the patient's body; electronic circuitry coupled to each of the one or more non-inductive antennas and configured to extract electric power and excitation waveforms from the radiated electromagnetic energy as received by the one or more non-inductive antennas; and one or more connection pads substantially enclosed within the housing, wherein the connection pads are configured to couple with one or more electrodes in the implantable lead and form an electric connection over which the connection pads provide the extracted excitation waveforms from the electronic circuit to the electrodes in the implantable lead, the implantable lead being separate from the device.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61N 1/378 - Electrical supply
• A61N 1/375 - Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers