Batteryless implantable microstimulators
Inventors
ZITNIK, Ralph J. • Faltys, Michael A. • Levine, Jacob A. • Simon, Jesse M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11964150-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-23
Expiration Date
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 invention relates to batteryless and leadless microregulators for nerve stimulation that include a wireless power receiver configured to receive a power signal. The microregulator further includes at least one pair of electrodes configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a nerve using the power signal received by the wireless power receiver. A microprocessor powered by the power signal controls delivery such that energy is applied to the at least one pair of electrodes only when the power signal is being received by the wireless power receiver.
The microregulator includes a cuff configured to secure the at least one pair of electrodes against the nerve, where the cuff further comprises a plurality of conduction windows arranged to expose at least a portion of the at least one pair of electrodes for delivery of electrical stimulation to the nerve. In a refined configuration, the cuff comprises a plurality of conduction windows arranged around a circumference of the cuff. A liquid crystal polymer is used in the cuff/electrode interface with conduction windows that are aligned with conduction windows of the electrodes to expose at least a portion of the at least one pair of electrodes for stimulation.
The invention also addresses stimulation for inflammation and/or an inflammatory disorder by externally and wirelessly applying energy to an implanted leadless and batteryless microregulator and delivering electrical stimulation from the exposed electrodes while the energy is applied. The microprocessor-controlled delivery includes conditioning of stimulation using information transmitted with the received power signal. Additional functionality is described for logging dose compliance in non-volatile memory and for thermal protection using a thermistor circuit that provides an open circuit when temperature equals or exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, with coverage centered on wireless power reception, cuff-secured electrode stimulation via conduction windows, and microprocessor-controlled energy application limited to times when the power signal is being received.
Wireless power receiver with power-signal-limited energy delivery
A wireless power receiver configured to receive a power signal; a microprocessor powered by the power signal received by the wireless power receiver, wherein the microprocessor is configured to apply energy to the at least one pair of electrodes only when the power signal is being received by the wireless power receiver.
Cuff-secured electrodes with conduction windows
A cuff configured to secure the at least one pair of electrodes against the nerve, the cuff comprising a plurality of conduction windows arranged to expose at least a portion of the at least one pair of electrodes for delivery of electrical stimulation to the nerve.
Aligned liquid crystal polymer conduction windows at the electrode-cuff interface
A cuff further comprising a liquid crystal polymer with a plurality of conduction windows on the at least one pair of electrodes that are aligned with the plurality of conduction windows of the cuff to expose at least a portion of the at least one pair of electrodes for delivery of electrical stimulation to the nerve, wherein the cuff further comprises a plurality of conduction windows arranged around a circumference of the cuff.
Externally and wirelessly delivering stimulation for inflammation/inflammatory disorder
Externally and wirelessly applying energy to an implanted leadless and batteryless microregulator having a cuff securing at least one pair of electrodes against the nerve, and delivering an electrical stimulation to the nerve from the at least one pair of electrodes while the energy is applied to treat the inflammation and/or the inflammatory disorder, wherein the cuff comprises a plurality of conduction windows arranged to expose at least a portion of the at least one pair of electrodes.
Overall, the claim set is directed to batteryless and leadless nerve stimulation using a wireless power receiver and a microprocessor that applies energy to cuff-secured electrodes only during reception of the power signal. Stimulation is delivered through cuff conduction windows, with refined coverage specifying aligned liquid crystal polymer conduction windows and, in the method claim, treating inflammation and/or an inflammatory disorder by delivering stimulation while external wireless energy is being applied.
Stated Advantages
Enables stimulation using a batteryless and leadless microregulator.
Reduces unintended energy delivery by applying energy to the electrodes only when the power signal is being received.
Supports targeted stimulation delivery by exposing electrode portions through conduction windows in the cuff.
Provides treatment of inflammation and/or an inflammatory disorder via nerve stimulation delivered while energy is applied.
Allows conditioning of stimulation using information transmitted with the received power signal.
Enables dose compliance logging in non-volatile memory.
Provides thermal protection using a thermistor circuit that provides an open circuit when temperature equals or exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Documented Applications
Treating inflammation and/or an inflammatory disorder by stimulating a nerve using an implanted leadless and batteryless microregulator with externally and wirelessly applied energy.
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