Optimizing energy transmission in a leadless tissue stimulation system
Inventors
Willis, N. Parker • Brisken, Axel F. • Cowan, Mark W. • Pare, Michael • Fowler, Robert • Brennan, James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10456588-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for locating an acoustic receiver-stimulator in a tissue location. An implantable acoustic controller-transmitter includes an array of acoustic transducers configured to transmit focused acoustic energy to a tissue location, and at least one implantable acoustic receiver-stimulator receives the focused acoustic energy and converts it into electrical energy. The receiver-stimulator includes two electrodes configured to be in electrical connection with tissue and deliver the electrical energy to the tissue.
A controller-transmitter detects the delivered electrical energy to determine whether the receiver-stimulator is present at the tissue location. Based on the detected electrical energy, the controller-transmitter adjusts the transducer array to transmit focused acoustic energy to the tissue location associated with the detected electrical energy. This arrangement enables locating and refocusing using a receiver-generated location signal and detected signal information to steer and focus a subsequent transmission beam at the receiver-stimulator location.
The document also describes scanning and targeting approaches that include iterative spatial region scanning and time-of-flight criteria, and using efficient locator pulses that do not directly stimulate. It further describes receiver/controller electrode detection configurations to avoid sensing blind spots and phase-gradient or pre-phasing strategies for faster beam steering, including compensation near the near-field vs far-field boundary.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a locating system with four inventive features, including focused acoustic transmission, electrical conversion at a receiver-stimulator, detection of delivered electrical energy by the controller-transmitter, and adjusting the transducer array based on that detected electrical energy. Dependent claims further refine the independent claim with scan termination logic, sensing circuit structure, spike detection, decision logic using detected signal characteristics, and a predetermined time frame criterion.
Focused acoustic transmission with adjustable transducer array
An implantable acoustic controller-transmitter comprising an array of acoustic transducers configured to transmit focused acoustic energy to a tissue location; and configured to adjust the transducer array to transmit focused acoustic energy to the tissue location associated with detected delivered electrical energy.
Receiver-stimulator electrical conversion using two tissue-connected electrodes
At least one implantable acoustic receiver-stimulator adapted to receive the focused acoustic energy and convert the focused acoustic energy into electrical energy, wherein the receiver-stimulator further comprises two electrodes configured to be in electrical connection with tissue and to deliver the electrical energy to the tissue.
Controller-transmitter detection of delivered electrical energy to determine receiver presence
The controller-transmitter is configured to detect the delivered electrical energy to determine whether the receiver-stimulator is present at the tissue location.
Sequential steering across tissue locations with termination condition
The transducer array sequentially steers focused acoustic energy to different tissue locations until delivered electrical energy is detected or a preset time limit is reached.
Sensing circuit and sensing electrode assembly for detecting delivered electrical energy
The controller-transmitter includes a sensing circuit and a sensing electrode assembly electrically connected to the body, where the delivered electrical energy is detected by the sensing circuit.
Spike detection for detecting delivered electrical energy
The sensing circuit includes a spike detector.
Decision logic using signal characteristics from spike detector
The controller-transmitter determines whether focused acoustic energy is targeting a receiver-stimulator based on signal characteristics of delivered electrical energy detected by a spike detector assembly, and then adjusts a transducer array to transmit focused acoustic energy to another tissue region where the receiver-stimulator may be located.
Predetermined time frame criterion for targeting determination
The controller-transmitter determines that focused acoustic energy is targeting the receiver-stimulator when characterized delivered electrical energy is detected within a predetermined time frame.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the document defines locating an implantable acoustic receiver-stimulator by transmitting focused acoustic energy, converting received acoustic energy into electrical energy at a receiver-stimulator with tissue-connected electrodes, detecting delivered electrical energy at the controller-transmitter, and adjusting and focusing the transducer array based on whether the receiver-stimulator is present. Additional refinements specify sensing circuit structure, iterative or sequential scanning with a preset time limit, decision logic based on signal characteristics, and a predetermined time frame criterion.
Stated Advantages
Enables locating and refocusing focused acoustic energy to the tissue location associated with detected electrical energy indicating receiver-stimulator presence.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic stimulation applications are mentioned, including cardiac pacing, bi-ventricular resynchronization, nerve, brain, muscle, gastric, bone, and pain stimulation.
Diagnostic communication using a receiver-converter is mentioned.
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