A neurostimulation device has at least three stimulation electrodes configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to neural tissue. A control unit is configured to deliver a first stimulus phase in which a first stimulus electrode delivers a supra-threshold stimulus component, returned by at least two other of the stimulation electrodes. The control unit is further configured to deliver at least a second stimulus phase in which at least two of the stimulus electrodes deliver a sub-threshold stimulus component, returned by the first stimulus electrode.

This disclosure relates to implantable neuro stimulation devices with a feedback loop to control an amount of energy delivered into a neural tissue based on a measured evoked neural response. Stimulation electrodes deliver stimulation energy to neural tissue. A microprocessor performs closed-loop control of the stimulation energy based on a feedback signal that is indicative of an evoked neural response. A supervisor is connected to the feedback signal and detects malfunction of the stimulator based on the feedback signal. The supervisor is also connected to the stimulator to provide a status signal to the stimulator and changes the status signal to indicate malfunction upon detecting malfunction based on the feedback signal. The microprocessor adjusts the control of the stimulation energy in response to the status signal from the supervisor indicating malfunction.

A wireless charger device is configured to charge an implantable medical device (IMD). A patient controller obtains one or more power parameters from the charger device during charging of the IMD. The patient controller estimates a temperature range of the IMD using the one or more power parameters from the charger device and compares to a heating threshold. The patient controller then determines whether one or more spacers are recommended in response to the comparison. The one or more spacers are removably attached to the wireless charger device and are configured to lay in a position between the wireless charger device and a patient's skin to increase a charging path.

A method programs an implantable medical device to configure the implantable medical device for stimulating neural tissue by at least one electrode. The method includes: performing, by the implantable medical device, an evoked compound action potential (eCAP) threshold search by stimulating the neural tissue with test stimulation pulses; determining, based on the eCAP threshold search, an eCAP threshold amplitude and a coupling factor that is indicative of a coupling between the at least one electrode and the neural tissue; and generating a first set of stimulation parameters containing at least a stimulation amplitude that is determined in dependence on the eCAP threshold amplitude and the coupling factor.

A magnetic system for a medical implant system is described. A planar implant receiver coil is configured to lie underneath and parallel to overlying skin of an implanted patient for transcutaneous communication of an implant communications signal. A planar ring-shaped attachment magnet also is configured to lie underneath and parallel to the overlying skin and radially surrounds the receiver coil. The attachment magnet is characterized by a magnetic field configured to avoid creating torque on the attachment magnet in the presence of an external magnetic field.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block that can involve the delivery of relatively high amounts of charge safely to tissue. Such systems and methods can include control systems for safely monitoring a direct current electrode system, including delivering direct current via an electrode lead to a target tissue of a patient; measuring the driving voltage across the electrode; comparing the driving voltage across the electrode to predetermined threshold range values; measuring the body impedance; determining a voltage drop across the lead from the body impedance measurement; and adjusting the driving voltage to maintain the voltage drop across the lead within a predetermined voltage range.

Presented herein are techniques for initiating a night-time mode of operation in an implantable hearing prosthesis in response to detection of night-time recharging operations. More specifically, an implantable hearing prosthesis comprises a rechargeable battery that is configured to be recharged via an external night-time charging device, such as a pillow charger. The implantable hearing prosthesis is configured to detect inductive charging of the rechargeable battery by the external night-time charging device. In response, the implantable hearing prosthesis is switched to a night-time mode of operation.

The present invention relates to a system for communicating an operational state of a neuronal stimulation apparatus to an individual, comprising: means for determining the operational state of the apparatus; means for transmitting a first neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the operational state of the apparatus. The present invention further relates to a method and computer program comprising the steps of: determining the operational state of the apparatus, transmitting a neuronal stimulation signal to a neuronal stimulation means of the individual adapted to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual, wherein the first neuronal stimulation signal is indicative of the determined operational state of the apparatus.

Provided herein are methods of treating a patient comprising providing a medical apparatus comprising an external system and an implantable system, implanting the implantable system, and delivering at least one of power or data to the implantable system with the external system. The external system comprises: at least one external antenna configured to transmit a first transmission signal to the implantable system; an external transmitter configured to drive the at least one external antenna; an external power supply; and an external controller. The implantable system comprises: at least one implantable antenna configured to receive the first transmission signal from the first external device; an implantable receiver; at least one implantable functional element configured to interface with the patient; an implantable controller; an implantable energy storage assembly; and an implantable housing surrounding at least the implantable controller and the implantable receiver. Medical apparatus are also provided.

A method for programming an electrical stimulation system including at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead including a plurality of electrodes that includes receiving a target and a location of the at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead; receiving at least one stimulation criterion; for each of the at least one stimulation criterion, identifying one or more values of a cost parameter that meet the stimulation criterion, wherein the cost parameter includes a ratio of a cost of stimulating at least one defined region of tissue over a benefit of stimulating a region of the target; and providing at least one of the one or more values of the cost parameter that meet the at least one stimulation criterion to a user or the electrical stimulation system to assist in programming the electrical stimulation system.