Abstract: Implantable devices require protection to protect a human or animal body from implant contamination and to protect implant electrical connections and electronics from corrosion. Although PDMS can be substantially biocompatible, it still has a relatively high permeability to moisture which can lead to degradation of the implant electronics. An implantable electric device is provided comprising: a flexible substrate having one or more electrical conductors and a first surface comprising a Liquid-Crystal Polymer (LCP); a first biocompatible encapsulation layer; a first adhesion layer disposed between the first surface and the first encapsulation layer; wherein: the first adhesion layer comprises a ceramic material; the first encapsulation layer comprises a silicone rubber such as a PDMS, and the first adhesion layer and the first encapsulation layer are configured and arranged to conform to the first surface and to resist the ingress of fluids into at least a portion of the first surface.

Abstract: A medical template is provided comprising one or more template portions corresponding to one or more device portions, with a first template face 121, arranged to be placed adjacent to one or more outer skin portions at least partially comprised in a curved skin plane 590; the first template face 121 being arranged to extend & curve longitudinally in a curved template plane 190, wherein the curved template plane 190 is arranged to be parallel to the curved skin plane 590. The medical template can comprise mechanically-resistive regions 130 arranged to resist transverse curvature of the first template face 121 such that at least a portion of the one or more mechanically-resistive regions deviates from the curved template plane 590. The medical template can also comprise one or more alignment marks 143, 183 offset to a degree corresponding to an implantation depth of a corresponding portion of the one or more device portions.

Abstract: Circuit boards have a complex surface topology, which can lead to uneven coating thicknesses and inconsistent adhesion. To improve coating reliability, a circuit board is provided with a surface including a conductive-trace extending between a first solder-pad and a third pad. A solder-mask region covers a portion of the conductive-trace. A second solder-pad is provided, adjacent to a mask-free region arranged to be free of solder mask. The first solder-pad and second solder-pad are each arranged to retain at least one electrical connection of the same electrical component. A conformal-coating is provided to cover at least the solder-mask region and the mask-free region. By greatly reducing or minimizing the use of solder-mask in the region covered by the conformal-coating, encapsulation quality can be improved.

Abstract: A method includes configuring, by a computing device, stimulation settings for each electrode in an at least one electrode array in physical contact with a patient, the stimulation settings having adjustable parameters comprising frequency, pulse width, and amplitude, obtaining, by the computing device, feedback information from the patient, and automatically adjusting, by the computing device, at least one of the adjustable parameters based on the feedback information from the patient.

Abstract: Conventional devices deliver a degree of electrical charge into biological tissues; to satisfy regulatory and safety concerns, measures are taken to maintain a zero-charge residual at the stimulation site. Disclosed herein is a method of controlling electrical energy provided by a stimulation device to one or stimulation electrodes comprised in the device, the device including: a first stimulation electrode; a pulse energy controller for transferring electrical energy as one or more electrical stimulation pulses to the first stimulation electrode; the pulse energy controller further including two or more stimulation energy supplies for each supplying electrical energy substantially concurrently to the first stimulation electrode as a first pulse; and each supplying electrical energy separately to the first stimulation electrode as a second pulse.

Abstract: Typically, stimulation therapy is provided using one or more implanted stimulation electrodes. Anatomy and treatment protocols can vary greatly—it is therefore advantageous to provide a highly configurable stimulation system. A tissue stimulation system is provided including an implantable end and a stimulation energy source, the implantable end including: an elongated substrate; one or more stimulation electrodes; and one or more proximal return electrodes; the stimulation energy source including: one or more distal return electrodes, disposed distantly from the one or more stimulation electrodes; and a pulse energy controller including a ratio controller, wherein: the proximal return electrodes and the distal return electrodes are configured as an electrical return for the stimulation electrodes; the ratio controller modifying the electrical potential and/or current ratio of the first part to the second part. A substantially transverse electric field may be provided.

Abstract: An implantable restraint is provided that includes an opening-configured to receive a tissue anchor; a pair of protrusions between the opening and a distal edge, providing an anchor resistance to a longitudinal force; where the pair of protrusions are further configured to separate by a distance approximately equal to the tissue anchor when the longitudinal force exceeds a first predetermined threshold, such that the pair of protrusions moves past the tissue anchor. By providing one or more openings extending through the substrate, the growth of tissue which naturally occurs after implantation is utilized to assist in securing the implantable restraint at the implantation site. By providing the pair of protrusions configured to provide resistance, a high degree of control of the restraining force and the explantation force is provided.

Abstract: A mobile phone cover is provided comprising: a holder 120, 1120, 2120, 3120 for receiving and retaining a mobile phone 108, the mobile phone comprising an energy supply; a portable charging device 106, 1106, 2106, 3106 having two or more charging stations 110, 1110, 2110, 3110, each charging station 110, 1110, 2110, 3110 being configured and arranged for receiving and retaining a rechargeable instrument 104, the rechargeable instrument 104 comprising an energy storage; the portable charging device 106, 1106, 2106, 3106 being further configured and arranged: to transfer energy, in use, from the energy supply of the mobile phone 108, placed in the holder, to the two or more charging stations 110, 1110, 2110, 3110; and to transfer energy, in use, from the charging stations 110, 1110, 2110, 3110 to the energy storage of the rechargeable instrument 104 placed in the respective charging station 110, 1110, 2110, 3110.

Abstract: Implants must protect against implant contamination and corrosion of electronics. However, when electrical components are fitted to flexible substrates, failure can occur at electrical connections. An implant comprises: a flexible substrate; a first and second electrical component at a first and second position, electrically connected through an interconnect layer; a first and second component cover, separately encapsulating the first and second component to resist the ingress of body fluids into the component positions; wherein the flexible substrate allows a relative change in disposition between the first component cover and the second component cover. One or more electrodes are provided at a third position. By encapsulating each component separately, the position of force/tension is moved away from the component attachment position to a point somewhere between the component positions. By disposing one or more electrode away from the components, the ingress is further restricted.

Abstract: In general, implantation of neurostimulation systems or device includes subcutaneous or percutaneous placement of at least the electrodes. Preferred are minimally invasive implantation procedures, systems and devices that can reliably operate for extended periods, and systems and devices providing a high degree of comfort for the subject. The implantation specialist may need to address adequate placement of the electrodes with respect to the nerve tissue to be stimulated, and to choose between one or more convenient locations for the elements of the system or device. Methods are provided comprising forming a first 1250 and second 1260 incision on opposite sides of a target location, and introducing a first introducer sheath 3050a under the skin with a maximum internal transverse cross-section less than the further maximum transverse cross-section 710 of an implantable stimulator. Such a method is advantageous if the maximum transverse cross-section 710 of the further portion is at least 1.

Abstract: An implantable stimulator is provided having a conformable foil-like substrate, having a longitudinal axis extending from a pulse generator to a distal end of the substrate. The substrate comprising one or more adjacent polymeric substrate layers and an electrode array. The electrode array having a first and second electrode where one or more electrical interconnections are comprised in the substrate. The conformable foil-like substrate has a maximum thickness of 0.5 millimeter or less, proximate the electrodes. By providing a more easily patternable multilayer substrate, more complicated electrode array configurations may be supported, allowing a higher degree of flexibility to address transverse and/or longitudinal misalignment. By providing a relatively thin implantable electrode array user comfort may be increased through application of energy to tissue by the implantable stimulator.

Abstract: During charging of implantable devices via inductive coupling, heat may be produced within the implantable device, so control of the charging may be desirable to reduce or avoid the risk of undesirable tissue heating. Exchanging parameters relevant for charging may prevent undesirable heating, but typically increase the complexity of the devices used. An implantable device is provided, for wirelessly receiving energy pulses, monitoring the energy storage, and transmitting a first sufficient energy signal if the energy storage exceeds a first maximum value. An associated energy transmission device is provided, for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of successive energy pulses transmitted at a first power level, pausing energy transmission immediately after the first sufficient energy signal is received, and subsequently resuming energy pulse transmission at the first power level if no further sufficient energy signal is received.