Abstract: A lead for a stimulation device can include an array of electrodes with each electrode having a front surface and a back surface; a plurality of conductors; a carrier formed around the array of electrodes; and a biocompatible material that may be disposed over and/or joined with the carrier and the back surfaces of the electrodes. A conductor is attached to the back surface of each electrode. The carrier can be formed around the array of electrodes, but does not completely cover the front surface or back surface of the electrodes.

Abstract: A system for stimulation includes an implantable pulse generator, a lead, and conductors. The lead includes an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body. A center electrode may also be disposed on the array body. The electrodes may be arranged in more than one concentric ring. A method of using an implantable stimulator includes implanting an implantable stimulator and providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode of the implantable stimulator to stimulate a tissue. The electrical signal may be provided between diametrically opposed electrodes or between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed. If the implantable stimulator has a center electrode, the electrical signal may be provided between the center electrode and at least one concentrically arranged electrode.

Abstract: A stimulator arrangement for stimulating nerves or other tissue includes an electrode arrangement having a substrate and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. The substrate is configured and arranged to be in a curved state prior to implantation into the body and to flatten with exposure to the body after implantation. The stimulator arrangement may also include a stimulator unit coupled to the electrode arrangement. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Abstract: An implantable microstimulator configured to be implanted beneath a patient's skin for tissue stimulation employs a bi-directional RF telemetry link for allowing data-containing signals to be sent to and from the implantable microstimulator from at least two external devices. Further, a separate electromagnetic inductive telemetry link allows data containing signals to be sent to the implantable microstimulator from at least one of the two external devices. The RF bidirectional telemetry link allows the microstimulator to inform the patient or clinician regarding the status of the microstimulator device, including the charge level of a power source, and stimulation parameter states. The microstimulator has a cylindrical hermetically sealed case having a length no greater than about 27 mm and a diameter no greater than about 3.3 mm. A reference electrode is located on one end of the case and an active electrode is located on the other end of the case.

Abstract: Circuitry useable to protect and reliably charge a rechargeable battery, even from a zero-volt state, is disclosed, and is particularly useful when employed in an implantable medical device. The circuit includes two charging paths, a first path for trickle charging the battery at a relatively low current when the battery voltage is below a threshold, and a second path for charging the battery at relatively higher currents that the battery voltage is above a certain threshold. A passive diode is used in the first trickle-charging path which allows trickle charging even when the battery voltage is too low for reliable gating, while a gateable switch (preferably a PMOS transistor) is used in the second higher-current charging path when the voltage is higher and the switch can therefore be gated more reliably. A second diode between the two paths ensures no leakage to the substrate through the gateable switch during trickle charging.

Abstract: One embodiment is a stimulator arrangement for a nerve. The stimulator arrangement includes a cuff for placement around the nerve and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the cuff. The cuff comprises a first edge and defines a plurality of indentations along the first edge of the cuff. The stimulator arrangement may also include a stimulator unit coupled to the electrodes of the cuff. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

Abstract: A system for treating patients affected both by hearing loss and by balance disorders related to vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source, and an implantable electrical stimulator capable of stimulating areas of the cochlea and areas of the vestibular system.

Abstract: A hearing aid module is shaped for insertion into a tunnel made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space with the ear canal. The hearing aid module contains a speaker or auditory transducer, a battery or other power source powering the module, signal processing circuitry, and a microphone. Telemetry circuitry within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit. A remote control unit permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone (frequency) control.

Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying electrical stimulation and/or introducing one or more stimulating drugs to the brain to treat or prevent aphasia, including through use of at least one system control unit (SCU) for controlling electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or for producing drug infusion pulses to targeted areas in the brain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). Current source and sink circuitry are both divided into coarse and fine portions, which respectively can provide a coarse and fine current resolution to a specified electrode on the IPG. The coarse portion is distributed across all of the electrodes and so can source or sink current to any of the electrodes. The coarse portion is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking a coarse amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes on the device. The fine portion of the current generation circuit preferably includes source and sink circuitry dedicated to each of the electrode on the device, which can comprise digital-to-analog current converters (DACs).

Abstract: A method of stacking dice in an electronic circuit includes controlling a size of a hole made in a connection pad on each die of said dice to selectively provide an electrical connection to a particular die in the stack. Additionally, a method of stacking dice in an electronic circuit includes forming holes in each of the dice, and providing electrical connection material selectively at some of the holes to provide for selective electrical connections among the dice. A stack of dice in an electronic circuit includes a number of dice stacked on top of each other, each die in the stack having one or more holes therein, conductive material extending through the holes and making electrical connection between one or more of the dice in the stack and the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A repeater device allows a remote unit to control, program and/or monitor a medical implant device from a much further distance than has heretofore been possible. Such repeater device also facilitates transmitting other signals, i.e., other than control signals, to the medical implant device, such as, e.g., streaming audio, or other auxiliary input data. In one embodiment, the repeater device also allows status signals or sensed data originating within the medical implant device to be transmitted from the medical implant device through the repeater device to the remote unit, even though the remote unit may be located some distance, e.g., up to 200 feet, from the medical implant device. Such transmitted signals when received at the remote unit may be processed, analyzed, stored, monitored and/or displayed.

Abstract: An RF-energy modulation system dynamically adjusts tuned receiving circuits within a plurality of slave devices, thereby regulating the level of power reception in each slave device. The slave devices receive power from a single master device, through coupling of a primary antenna in the master device with a secondary antenna in each slave device. The amount of the power received by each slave device is a function of the antenna separation distance, and is thus different at each slave device location. The RF-energy modulation system monitors the power requirements of the slave device within which the modulation system is included, and modulates the tuning of the secondary antenna to maintain the proper power reception level. Advantageously, such modulation controls the power reception by the slave device, versus dissipating energy already received by the slave device.

Abstract: A multichannel cochlear implant system spatially spreads the excitation pattern in the target neural tissue by either: (1) rapid sequential stimulation of a small group of electrodes, or (2) simultaneously stimulating a small group of electrodes. Such multi-electrode stimulation stimulates a greater number of neurons in a synchronous manner, thereby increasing the amplitude of the extra-cellular voltage fluctuation and facilitating its recording. The electrical stimuli are applied simultaneously (or sequentially at a rapid rate) on selected small groups of electrodes while monitoring the evoked compound action potential (ECAP) on a nearby electrode. The presence of an observable ECAP not only validates operation of the implant device at a time when the patient may be unconscious or otherwise unable to provide subjective feedback, but also provides a way for the magnitude of the observed ECAP to be recorded as a function of the amplitude of the applied stimulus.

Abstract: Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for cavernous nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators), possibly with programmably configurable electrodes. In one aspect, a method includes providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes, disposing the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a cavernous nerve; and applying the stimulation to the cavernous nerve, thereby treating erectile dysfunction while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation.

Abstract: An insertion kit for implanting an electrode in a patient can include a handle; an insertion member coupled to the handle at a proximal end of the insertion member and configured and arranged to be inserted into a patient; an alignment member coupled to the handle and disposed over the distal end of the insertion member; and an electrode configured and arranged to be inserted into the patient using the insertion member. In some instances, the insertion kit may also include one or more of a marker that cooperates with the alignment member to mark a position of the electrode on the skin of the patient; a pointer that cooperates with the alignment member to find the marked position on the skin of the patient; and a second electrode and a second insertion member configured and arranged for detachably coupling to the handle in place of the insertion member.

Abstract: The change in temperature of an implanted electronic device can be determined by providing power to one or more circuit elements included in the implanted electronic device, wherein the circuit elements comprise a non-crystal oscillator. A shift in the output frequency associated with the non-crystal oscillator can be detected, and the temperature change of the implanted electronic device can be determined based on the detected output frequency shift. One or more signals based on the output frequency associated with the non-crystal oscillator can be transmitted by the implanted electronic device. The transmitted signals can be received by an external device, which can detect the current output frequency associated with the non-crystal oscillator from the transmitted signals and compare the current output frequency with a previous output frequency to determine the output frequency shift associated with the non-crystal oscillator. The output frequency can, for example, be converted to a voltage measure.

Abstract: An implantable pump system includes: an implantable pump having separate chambers or reservoirs; and a catheter having two or more reservoir-specific inlet ports directed into respective lumens of the catheter. In one embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens may be directed to different sites within the patient's body, thereby allowing site specific and independent delivery of the medications stored in the respective pump chambers or reservoirs to be administered to different body sites at independently controlled times and rates. In another embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens are directed, more or less, to the same body site or tissue region, thereby providing for the independent delivery of multiple medications to the same regions at independently controlled times and rates.

Abstract: Braze and electrode wire assemblies, e.g., used with an implantable microstimulator, include a wire welded in the through-hole of an electrode, which electrode is brazed to a ceramic case that is brazed to a metal ring that is welded to a metal can. The braze joints are step or similar joints that self-center the case, provide lateral support during braze assembly, and provide increased surface area that prevents braze material from exuding from the joints. The end of the ceramic case that is brazed to the metal ring need not be specially machined. The shell has a reference electrode on one end and an active electrode on the other, and is externally coated on selected areas with conductive and non-conductive materials.