Batteryless implantable microstimulators

Inventors

ZITNIK, Ralph J. • Faltys, Michael A. • Levine, Jacob A. • Simon, Jesse M.

Assignees

SetPoint Medical Corp

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses (e.g., devices and systems) for vagus nerve stimulation, including (but not limited to) sub-diaphragmatic vagus nerve stimulation. In particular, the methods and apparatuses described herein may be used to stimulate the posterior sub-diaphragmatic vagus nerve to treat inflammation and/or inflammatory disorders. The implantable microstimulators described herein may be leadless and batteryless.

Core Innovation

The disclosure relates to batteryless and leadless microregulators for nerve stimulation that use a wireless power receiver to receive a power signal. The microprocessor is powered by the received power signal and applies energy to at least one pair of electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation only when the power signal is being received.

In the microregulator, a cuff forms a nerve channel configured to hold a nerve and secure the at least one pair of electrodes against the nerve within the nerve channel. A nerve cuff configuration is described that encapsulates at least the wireless power receiver, the microprocessor, the demodulator, and at least a portion of the electrodes, and the nerve cuff can adopt an open configuration in which a slit exposes the electrodes within the nerve channel and a closed configuration in which the slit is closed.

The system is configured to condition the electrical stimulation based at least in part on a signal transmitted with the applied energy. The disclosure further addresses an inductive wireless charging approach in which power delivery is linked to the receiver’s power signal, with optional features including non-volatile memory for logging dose compliance, thermal protection using a thermistor with an open circuit when a temperature threshold is measured, and charger field-shaping using high magnetic permeability materials to support uniform wireless power despite misalignment.

Claims Coverage

The partial set includes three independent claims, covering a batteryless and leadless microregulator structure, an enhanced microregulator including a demodulator and an open/closed nerve cuff, and a method for nerve stimulation to treat inflammation or an inflammatory disorder. Across these claims, the inventive features are centered on wireless power receipt, controlled energy delivery only during power signal reception, and nerve-cuff-based electrode positioning. The method claim adds stimulation delivery for inflammation treatment with stimulation conditioning based on a transmitted signal.

Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a batteryless and leadless microregulator in which a wirelessly powered microprocessor drives electrode stimulation only while the wireless power signal is being received, with electrode positioning secured by a nerve channel cuff. One independent claim further adds a demodulator receiving information from the power signal and a nerve cuff that can transition between open and closed configurations. The independent method claim ties the energy-conditioned stimulation delivered through the electrode pair and nerve cuff to treating inflammation and/or an inflammatory disorder.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications