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US 2004/0172089 A1Published application
Fully implantable miniature neurostimulator for stimulation as a therapy for epilepsy
AssigneeAdvanced Bionics AG
InventorsTodd K. Whitehurst, James P. McGivern, Janusz A. Kuzma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A small implantable stimulator(s) with at least two electrodes is small enough to have the electrodes located adjacent to a nerve structure at least partially responsible for epileptic seizures. The small stimulator provides a means of stimulating a nerve structure(s) when desired, and may be implanted via a minimal surgical procedure.
Claims23
A method for treating a patient with epilepsy, comprising:
- providing at least one leadless stimulator having at least two electrodes;
- implanting the at least one stimulator adjacent to at least one nerve structure at least in part responsible for epileptic seizures;
- providing operating power to the at least one stimulator;
- using at least one external appliance to transmit stimulation parameters to the at least one stimulator;
- receiving and storing the stimulation parameters;
- generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters;
- and
- delivering the stimulation pulses to nerves adjacent to the at least one stimulator;
- wherein the stimulator has a size and shape suitable for placement of the electrodes adjacent to the at least one nerve structure.
6 more elements
A method for treating a patient with epilepsy, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one means for stimulating tissue;
- implanting the at least one stimulating means adjacent to at least one nerve structure at least in part responsible for epileptic seizures;
- providing operating power to the at least one stimulating means;
- transmitting stimulation parameters to the at least one stimulating means using at least one external appliance;
- receiving and storing the stimulation parameters;
- generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters;
- and
- delivering the stimulation pulses to nerves structures adjacent to the at least one stimulating means;
- wherein the stimulating means has a size and shape suitable for placement near the at least one nerve and has leads up to 150 mm long.
6 more elements
A method for treating a patient with epilepsy, comprising:
- providing at least one leadless stimulator having at least two electrodes;
- providing at least one sensor;
- implanting the at least one stimulator adjacent to at least one nerve structure at least in part responsible for epileptic seizures;
- providing operating power to the at least one stimulator;
- using the sensor to sense a physical condition;
- determining stimulation parameters based upon the sensed condition;
- generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters;
- and
- delivering the stimulation pulses to nerves structures adjacent to the at least two electrodes;
- wherein the stimulator has a size and shape suitable for placement of the electrodes adjacent to the at least one nerve structure.
7 more elements
A system for treating a patient with epilepsy, comprising:
- at least one leadless stimulator having at least two electrodes;
- means for implanting the at least one stimulator adjacent to at least one nerve structure at least in part responsible for epileptic seizures;
- means for providing operating power to the at least one stimulator;
- at least one external appliance used to transmit stimulation parameters to the at least one stimulator;
- means for receiving and storing the stimulation parameters;
- and
- means for generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters;
- wherein the at least two electrodes deliver the stimulation pulses to nerves adjacent to the at least one stimulator;
- and
- wherein the stimulator has a size and shape suitable for placement of the electrodes adjacent to the at least one nerve structure.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.