Miniature implantable neurostimulator system for sciatic nerves and their branches
AssigneeNine Continents Medical, Inc.
InventorsAlan OSTROFF, Peter JACOBSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This application describes a miniature implantable neurostimulator system for sciatic nerves and their branches. The implanted miniature neurostimulator is implanted in the leg and stimulates these nerves for the treatment of urinary or bowel incontinence. The miniature implantable neurostimulator has a low duty cycle permitting a small size with medically-acceptable longevity. The system includes a wireless programmer and patient-activated key fob.
Claims20
An implantable device for permanent implantation in a body of a subject for long-term use to stimulate tissue, the device comprising:
- an enclosure configured to be implanted in a body of a subject;
- circuitry disposed within the enclosure and coupled to the battery, the circuitry being configured to generate a stimulation signal with a duty cycle of between 0.1% and 2.5% and a total average current drain from the battery of between 0.1 μA and 5 μA, the total average current drain comprising a background current, plus a stimulation current weighted by the duty cycle, wherein the battery provides power to the circuitry to generate the stimulation signal;
- and
- an electrode assembly coupled to the enclosure and the circuitry, the electrode assembly configured to direct the generated stimulation signal to the tissue of the subject,
- wherein the background current, the stimulation signal current, and the duty cycle combine to provide a useful life of the implantable device implanted in the body of the subject of at least 5 years without removal from the body.
An implantable device for permanent implantation in a body of a subject for long-term use to stimulate tissue, the device comprising:
- an enclosure configured to be implanted in a body of a subject;
- circuitry disposed within the enclosure and coupled to the battery, the circuitry being configured to generate a stimulation signal with a duty cycle of between 0.1% and 2.5% and a total average current drain from the battery of between 0.1 μA and 5 μA, the total average current drain comprising a background current, plus a stimulation current weighted by the duty cycle, wherein the battery provides power to the circuitry to generate the stimulation signal;
- an electrode assembly coupled to the enclosure and the circuitry, the electrode assembly configured to direct the generated stimulation signal to the tissue of the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.