Implantable neurostimulators having reduced pocket stimulation
AssigneeBoston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
InventorsMichael A. Moffitt, Dongchul Lee, Kerry Bradley
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Abstract
Neurostimulators and methods of using neurostimulators are provided. The neurostimulator is implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, and electrical energy is conveyed from the neurostimulator to stimulate a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket. The neurostimulator has a case with which one or more electrodes are associated. The electrical energy is returned to the electrode(s) in a manner that prevents, or at least reduces, pocket stimulation that may otherwise occur due to the return of electrical energy to the case of the neurostimulator.
Claims8
A method of providing therapy using a neurostimulator implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, comprising:
- initially conveying pulsed electrical energy having a pulse width from the neurostimulator, thereby stimulating a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket;
- returning the initially conveyed pulsed electrical energy to the neurostimulator, thereby causing stimulation of the tissue pocket;
- detecting the tissue pocket stimulation;
- decreasing the pulse width in response to the detection of the tissue pocket stimulation;
- subsequently conveying pulsed electrical energy having the decreased pulse width from the neurostimulator, thereby stimulating the target tissue site;
- and
- returning the subsequently conveyed pulsed electrical energy to the neurostimulator, wherein any stimulation of the tissue pocket is decreased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.