Neurostimulation system including an external pulse generator

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve comprising:

• a housing including a first portion having a lead attachment mechanism configured to receive a lead for stimulating the nerve, and a second portion configured to be attached to the first portion;
• a circuit board located within the housing;
• an antenna system comprising:
• a battery configured to power the external pulse generator located between the circuit board and first portion;
• and
• wherein the battery is configured to carry a communication signal.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve comprising:

• a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion attached thereto, the first housing portion including an external surface for interfacing with a patient or lead;
• a circuit board disposed within the housing;
• a battery disposed within the housing, positioned between the circuit board and an inner surface of the first housing portion, the battery configured to power the external pulse generator;
• and
• an antenna active element located between the battery and the inner surface of the first housing portion, the antenna active element being electrically connected to the battery to create at least a portion of an antenna system, and wherein the battery is also configured to carry a communication signal as part of the antenna system.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve, comprising:

• a two-part housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion defining an internal cavity;
• a main printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the internal cavity;
• a battery configured to power the external pulse generator, the battery being positioned within the internal cavity and suspended above the main PCB via a battery mount, the battery mount connected to a negative terminal of the battery;
• a battery clip on the main PCB contacting a positive terminal of the battery;
• and
• an antenna system configured for wireless communication, the antenna system including the battery as a signal carrying structure and an antenna active element electrically coupled to the battery, the antenna active element being a primary signal carrier for the antenna system.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve comprising:

• an outer housing having two lead contacts configured to receive leads for stimulating the nerve;
• a door attached to the outer housing, wherein the door is located within a recess of the outer housing;
• and
• wherein the door is configured to cover at least one of the two lead contacts and is configured to swing open to uncover the at least one of the two lead contacts.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve, comprising:

• an outer housing defining a recess on an external surface thereof, the outer housing further comprising guide slots adjacent to the recess;
• at least two distinct electrical lead contacts exposed on the outer housing within an area defined by the recess, the lead contacts configured for direct connection with proximal ends of neurostimulation leads aligned by the guide slots;
• and
• a door movably coupled to the outer housing via hinges, the door being dimensioned to be nested within the recess and cover the guide slots when in a closed position, the door further comprising projections on an underside thereof to exert pressure on the neurostimulation leads when connected to the lead contacts, wherein the door is configured to cover the at least two distinct electrical lead contacts in the closed position and to latch to the outer housing.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve, comprising:

• an outer housing;
• a first lead interface comprising two connector pads on the outer housing configured to receive Peripheral Nerve Evaluation (PNE) leads;
• a door attached to the outer housing, the door configured to cover the two connector pads, to swing open via hinges to provide access to the two connector pads, and to be located within a depression of the outer housing such that the door is substantially flush with an outer surface of the outer housing when closed;
• and
• a second lead interface comprising a receptacle in the outer housing, distinct from the first lead interface, the receptacle configured to receive an extension cable for connection to a tined lead.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve of a patient comprising:

• an outer housing;
• a first electrical contact located on a surface of the outer housing, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to receive a first lead;
• at least one door covering the first electrical contact, wherein the door is configured to be nested within and latch to the outer housing;
• and
• a ground pad connector extending through the outer housing, wherein the ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad, and the ground pad is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve of a patient, comprising:

• an outer housing having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having an opening therethrough;
• a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the outer housing;
• a first electrical contact on an external surface of the first portion of the outer housing, configured to receive a first neurostimulation lead;
• at least one door configured to cover the first electrical contact and latch to the first portion of the outer housing;
• and
• a ground pad connector integrated with the PCB, the ground pad connector protruding through the opening in the second portion of the outer housing and configured for electrical and mechanical attachment to an external ground pad, wherein the external ground pad is adapted to be adhered to a patient's skin, and wherein a gasket provides a seal between the PCB and the housing at the opening.

A neurostimulation system for trial stimulation of a patient, comprising:

• an external ground pad having an adhesive surface for securing to a patient's skin and a first snap fitting component;
• and
• an external pulse generator (EPG) comprising:
• an outer housing configured to be releasably mounted on top of the external ground pad;
• a printed circuit board (PCB) within the outer housing;
• at least one electrical contact on the outer housing configured to receive a neurostimulation lead;
• at least one door covering the at least one electrical contact, the door configured to be nested within and latch to the outer housing;
• and
• a second snap fitting component integrated with the PCB and extending through the outer housing, the second snap fitting component configured to mechanically and electrically connect with the first snap fitting component of the external ground pad.