Piezoelectric stimulation device
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsAnthony DiUbaldi, Stephen Wahlgren, Michael R. Tracey
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Abstract
A method for stimulating a predetermined body part such as a nerve using a stimulation device including an external non-implantable transmitting device powered by a power source and generating an electrical waveform signal. A surface electrode applies the generated electrical waveform signal transcutaneously. An implantable piezoelectric element receives the applied electrical waveform signal generated transcutaneously and, in turn, causes mechanical deformation resulting in mechanical vibration of the implantable piezoelectric element sufficient to stimulate the predetermined body part. The electrical waveform signal may be either a high frequency continuous waveform or high frequency burst packets.
Claims22
A stimulation device comprising:
- an external non-implantable transmitting device powered by a power source and generating an electrical waveform signal;
- a surface electrode applying the generated electrical waveform signal transcutaneously;
- and
- an implantable piezoelectric element receiving the applied electrical waveform signal generated transcutaneously and causing mechanical deformation resulting in mechanical vibration of the implantable piezoelectric element sufficient to stimulate a predetermined body part.
A method for stimulating a predetermined body part comprising the steps of:
- implanting a piezoelectric element proximate the predetermined body part;
- generating an electrical waveform signal using an external non-implantable transmitting device powered by a power source;
- applying the generated electrical waveform signal transcutaneously through skin via a surface electrode;
- receiving the applied electrical waveform signal generated transcutaneously at a piezoelectric element implanted proximate the predetermined body part and causing mechanical deformation resulting in mechanical vibration of the piezoelectric element sufficient to stimulate the predetermined body part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.