Patent classifications
A61N1/36167
Systems and methods for enhancing function of spine stabilization muscles associated with a spine surgery intervention
Systems and methods for enhancing muscle function of skeletal muscles in connection with a planned spine surgery intervention in a patient's back are provided. The method includes implanting one or more electrodes in or adjacent to tissue associated with one or more skeletal muscles within a back of a patient, the one or more electrodes in electrical communication with a pulse generator programmed for enhancing muscle function of the one or more skeletal muscles. Electrical stimulation is delivered, according to the programming during a time period associated with the planned spine surgery intervention, from the pulse generator to the tissue associated with the one or more skeletal muscles via the one or more electrodes, thereby improving neuromuscular control system performance of the one or more spine stabilizing muscles in connection with the planned spine surgery intervention to reduce the patient's recovery time associated with the planned spine surgery intervention.
Systems and methods for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine
A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include electrodes coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.
ELECTROCEUTICAL DEVICE AND WRAP FOR USING THE SAME
An electroceutical apparatus and self-care method for treating pain by providing Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with pulsed Ultrasound or Light Emitting Diode (LED) treatments. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a pod unit and a controller, and wrap for holding the pod unit on an area of a user's body. In some embodiments, the wrap may include electrodes and the intensity of the TENS treatment may be adjusted by a user via the controller. In some embodiments, the frequency or output of the treatments is fixed and sequentially delivered to the user in a timed manner.
SELECTIVE HIGH FREQUENCY SPINAL CORD MODULATION FOR INHIBITING PAIN WITH REDUCED SIDE EFFECTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
STIMULATION CYCLING ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON USER INPUT
A medical system includes techniques for adjusting the cycling of electrical stimulation therapy delivered by a medical device based on user input. The disclosure describes techniques to iteratively adjust the duration that stimulation is delivered and not delivered based on user input indicative of patient's symptoms.
BATTERYLESS IMPLANTABLE MICROSTIMULATORS
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.
Deep brain stimulation for sleep disorders
In some examples, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation to the external portion of the globus pallidus of a brain of a patient in order to treat a sleep impairment of the patient. In some examples, the electrical stimulation may be delivered via one or more electrodes implanted in the GPe of the brain. In some examples, an electrical stimulation device is configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to the GPe based on detection of a sleep state of a patient. The sleep state may include, for example, a state in which the patient is awake and intending on sleeping, is awake and attempting to sleep or has initiated sleep. In addition, in some examples, an electrical stimulation device is configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to the GPe based on detection of an awake state of a patient.
HEARING PROSTHESIS
A neural stimulator, suitable for implanting in a recipient, and configured to combine vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) with cochlear stimulation, to result in faster adaptation to new sounds and maps, and alleviation of tinnitus in the recipient.
Method and apparatus for application of a neural stimulus
A method of applying a neural stimulus with an implanted electrode array involves applying a sequence of stimuli configured to yield a therapeutic effect while suppressing psychophysical side effects. The stimuli sequence is configured such that a first stimulus recruits a portion of the fibre population, and a second stimulus is delivered within the refractory period following the first stimulus and the second stimulus being configured to recruit a further portion of the fibre population. Using an electrode array and suitable relative timing of the stimuli, ascending or descending volleys of evoked responses can be selectively synchronised or desynchronised to give directional control over responses evoked.
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN IMPLANTABLE STIMULATING DEVICE FOR STIMULATING A VAGUS NERVE
A kit of parts and method for the control of a delivery of an electric or electromagnetic pulse to a vagus nerve by an implanted stimulating device is provided. The kit of parts includes an implantable stimulating device (10) that includes a cuff electrode/optrode for being coupled to a vagus nerve (Vn) of a patient to be treated, and an encapsulation unit (50) suitable for being subcutaneously implanted at a location separated from the vagus nerve coupling unit (60), and enclosing an energy pulse generator (51s), for delivering electrical or optical energy pulses, and coupled to the cuff electrode/optrode by one or more electrical conductors (41e) and/or optical fibres (41f), an external controller device (100) of the kit includes laryngeal electrodes (161) suitable for being coupled to a laryngeal region (Lx) of a patient for measuring a laryngeal electrical activity at the laryngeal region, the laryngeal electrodes being coupled to an external control unit (150). The unit includes a setting unit (151) for entering control pulse parameters of a control energy pulse an external emitter (153e) configured for sending a signal to the implanted controller (54) to deliver to the cuff electrode/optrode one or more control energy pulses defined by the control pulse parameters entered in the setting unit, and a visual (155) or acoustic (157) display indicative of the intensity of the laryngeal electrical activity.