US 2003/0120328 A1 · Medical implant device for electrostimulation using discrete micro-electrodes

Abstract

An improved medical implant device is provided which has a plurality of micro-electrodes. The use of a plurality of micro-electrodes allows a clinically effective electrical stimulation pathway to be selected once the implant is positioned within or adjacent to the tissue to be treated even if the implant is not optimally placed or located. Thus, in cases where the implant is not optimally placed, it is not necessary to remove the implant and then reposition it within or adjacent to the tissue to be treated, thereby reducing stress to the patient caused by additional surgery. Moreover, using the micro-electrodes of this invention, directional electrostimulation can be provided to the tissue to be treated. Implant devices with a plurality of micro-electrodes are provided which are especially adapted for use in reducing the frequency and/or severity of neurological tremors. Other implant devices having micro-electrodes are provided which are especially adapted for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera.

Claims44

Dependent claims

An implant device especially adapted for treatment of neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue, said implant device comprising (1) an elongated body with a distal end and a proximal end;

(2) a plurality of micro-electrodes at the distal end;
(3) an electric connection terminal at the proximal end for connection to a power source;
(4) a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the elongated body from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein each electrical conductor is attached to a single micro-electrode at the distal end, whereby any selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be electrically connected to the electric connection terminal to form an electrical pathway between the electric connection terminal, the selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes, and the neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue to be treated;
and (5) a multiplexer or switching device such that the selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be used to form the electrical pathway.

1 more element

An implant device for electrostimulation or electrical monitoring of tissue to be treated within a body cavity, said implant device comprising (1) an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end;

(2) a penetration mechanism at the distal end to penetrate the tissue to be treated;
(3) a quick release connecting mechanism adjacent to the penetration mechanism, wherein the quick release connecting mechanism is effective to separate the penetration device from the elongated body once the implant device is properly positioned in the body cavity;
(4) a first immobilizing mechanism and a second immobilizing mechanism adjacent and proximal to the quick release connecting mechanism to secure the implant device to the tissue to be treated wherein the first and second immobilizing mechanisms are spaced apart along the elongated body a distance sufficient to span the tissue such that the first immobilizing mechanism is located between the quick release connecting mechanism and the second immobilizing mechanism;
(5) a plurality of micro-electrodes located between the first and second immobilizing mechanisms;
(6) an electrical connection terminal at the proximal end for connection to a power source;
(7) a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the elongated body from the plurality of micro-electrodes to the proximal end, wherein each electrical conductor is attached to a single micro-electrode, whereby any selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be electrically connected to the electric connection terminal to form an electrical pathway between the electric connection terminal, the selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes, and the tissue to be treated;
and (8) a multiplexer or switching device such that the selected pair of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be used to form the electrical pathway.

4 more elements

A method for clinically effective electrostimulation of gastrointestinal tissue, said method comprising

(a) implanting an implant device in the endo-adominal cavity, wherein the implant device has a plurality of micro-electrodes and an electrical connection terminal for connection to an electrical pulse generator, wherein various pairs of the micro-electrodes can be electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal,
(b) positioning the plurality of micro-electrodes within an area of gastrointestinal track to provide electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tissue to be electrostimulated,
(c) immobilizing the implant device so as to maintain good electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tissue to be electrostimulated during a treatment regime,
(d) attaching the electrical pulse generator to the electrical connection terminal of the implant device,
(e) delivering electrical impulses to the implant device whereby various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be tested,
(f) measuring the impedance between the various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes,
(g) selecting a pulsing micro-electrode and a receiving micro-electrode from the various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes tested in step (e), wherein the selected pulsing micro-electrode and the selected receiving micro-electrode pair has the lowest, or close to the lowest, impedance measured in step (f), and
(h) providing electrostimulation of the gastrointestinal tissue using the selected pulsing micro-electrode and the selected receiving micro-electrode pair.

5 more elements

A method for clinically effective electrostimulation of neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue, said method comprising

(a) positioning an implant device having a distal end and a proximal end such that the distal end can provide electrical stimulation of the neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue, wherein the distal end of the implant device has a plurality of micro-electrodes and the proximal end of the implant device has an electrical connection terminal for connection to an electrical pulse generator, and wherein various pairs of the micro-electrodes can be electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal,
(b) positioning the distal end of the implant device sufficiently close to the neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue to be electrostimulated,
(c) attaching the electrical pulse generator to the electrical connection terminal of the implant device,
(d) delivering electrical impulses to the implant device whereby various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes can be tested for electrostimulation of the neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue, and
(e) measuring the impedance between the various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes;
(f) selecting a pulsing micro-electrode and a receiving micro-electrode from the various pairs of the plurality of micro-electrodes tested in step (d), wherein the selected pulsing micro-electrode and the selected receiving micro-electrode pair has the lowest, or close to the lowest, impedance measured in step (e);
and
(g) providing electrostimulation of the neuroglial or neuro-muscular tissue using the selected pulsing micro-electrode and the selected receiving micro-electrode pair.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Medical implant device for electrostimulation using discrete micro-electrodes

Life of this patent

Medical implant device for electrostimulation using discrete micro-electrodes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44