Miniature implantable device and methods

An implantation system, comprising:

• a stylet comprising an elongate member and a first mating feature at a distal end of the elongate member;
• and
• an implantable device configured to receive a wireless signal and to generate one or more electrical pulses from the wireless signal for exciting a tissue, the implantable device comprising:
• a body defining a longitudinal axis of the implantable device,
• a plurality of electrodes distributed along the body and configured to deliver the one or more electrical pulses, and
• a second mating feature disposed in-line with the longitudinal axis of the implantable device and defining a proximal end of the implantable device, the second mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature such that the stylet and the implantable device can be delivered percutaneously to a patient together as an assembly.

A method comprising:

• inserting an introducer needle through a percutaneous incision site on a patient;
• coupling a first mating feature at a distal end of an elongate member of a stylet to a second mating feature of an implantable device that is configured to receive a wireless signal and to generate one or more electrical pulses from the wireless signal for exciting a tissue within the patient, wherein the implantable device further comprises:
• a body defining a longitudinal axis of the implantable device,
• a plurality of electrodes distributed along the body and configured to deliver the one or more electrical pulses, and
• wherein the second mating feature is disposed in-line with the longitudinal axis of the implantable device, and defines a proximal end of the implantable device,
• advancing the stylet and the implantable device together as an assembly to the tissue within the patient through a lumen of the introducer needle;
• and
• applying the one or more electrical pulses to one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes of the implantable device to modulate the tissue within the patient.