Implantable neurostimulator having power control and thermal regulation and methods of use
Inventors
Faltys, Michael A. • Simon, Jesse M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11383091-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Leadless, implantable microstimulators for treating chronic inflammation. These devices can include a static magnetic field detector (e.g., non-Hall effect sensors/detectors, including those based on a Wiegand effect or generating pulses at a predetermined frequency range and using a detection circuit to determine the decay rate of the pulses), to trigger an emergency shut off of the micro stimulator. Also described are methods and apparatuses for regulating the temperature of an implant based applied power from a charger (e.g., voltage across the charger when unloaded and when loaded by the implant) to yield a power control loop correlated with the power drawn by the implant to determine temperature of the implant. A negotiation protocol can exchange data between the charger and the implant (e.g., type of charger, type of implant, nature of the coupling between the two, etc.) to set target power control loop parameters to estimate and regulate implant temperature.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes methods for emergency shutdown of an implantable microstimulator device or implanted neurostimulator device using a static magnetic field. A low-power pulse generator introduces pulses into a resonator, and a detection circuit monitors their decay rate. The implantable device shuts down when the decay rate increases to a predetermined threshold decay rate upon detection of the static magnetic field applied near the device.
The disclosure also describes charger-side thermal regulation for an implanted device. Charger power is controlled using measurements associated with an energizer coil and implant loading, including duty cycling when implant loading is not detected. The charger-side measurements estimate surface heating to maintain the implant surface temperature within approximately 2°C of body temperature.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two inventive features directed to shutting down implanted stimulation devices via static magnetic field detection.
Microstimulator shutdown at a pulse-decay threshold
The method generates pulses with a low-power pulse generator, introduces them into a resonator of an implantable microstimulator device for treating chronic inflammation, and monitors their decay rate using a detection circuit. The device shuts down when the decay rate increases to a predetermined threshold decay rate.
Neurostimulator shutdown upon static-field detection
The method applies a static magnetic field of a predetermined amplitude outside the body near an implanted neurostimulator device. A detection circuit monitors a decay rate of pulses of a resonator to detect the static magnetic field, and the device shuts down when it detects the field.
The independent claims cover shutdown of an implantable microstimulator at a predetermined pulse-decay threshold and shutdown of an implanted neurostimulator upon detection of a nearby static magnetic field.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Shutting down an implantable microstimulator device for treating chronic inflammation.
Stimulating a vagus nerve using an implantable microstimulator or implanted neurostimulator device.
Inductive-charger power control to regulate heating associated with an implanted device.
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