Abstract: A method and system for treatment of incontinence and/or pelvic pain includes the injection or laparoscopic implantation of one or more battery- or radio frequency-powered microstimulators (10) beneath the skin of the perineum and/or adjacent the tibial nerve. The devices are programmed using radio-frequency control via an external controller (20, 30)) that can be used by a physician to produce patterns of output stimulation pulses judged to be efficacious by appropriate clinical testing to diminish symptoms. The stimulation program is retained in the microstimulator device (10) or external controller (20) and is transmitted when commanded to start and stop by a signal from the patient or caregiver.

Abstract: Electrodes are implanted at strategic locations within a patient and are then controlled in a manner so as to stimulate muscle and nerve tissue in a constructive manner which helps open blocked airways. In a preferred method, at least one microstimulator treats sleep apnea in an open loop fashion by providing electrical stimulation pulses in a rhythm or cycle having a period corresponding approximately to the natural respiratory rhythm of the patient. Such open loop stimulation entrains the patient's respiratory rate to follow the pattern set by the microstimulator so that stimulation is applied to open the airway during a period of inspiration by the patient.

Abstract: An implant stimulator device uses tantalum and tantalum pentoxide as a system for the conveyance of electrical stimulation pulses from stimulus-forming circuitry contained within an hermetic enclosure to the saline fluids of body tissue to be stimulated. Internal coupling capacitors are not used, yet the danger of having DC current flow to the saline fluids is eliminated. A preferred embodiment provides a multiplicity of electrode contacts made from sintered, anodized tantalum, connected via tantalum wire leads to tantalum feedthroughs into the hermetically sealed package containing the stimulus pulse-forming electronic circuitry. One or more counter electrode contacts (for monopolar or bipolar configurations, respectively) made of activated iridium, non-activated iridium, iridium in combination with a noble or non-noble metal, platinum, gold, or other metal which forms a low impedance contact with body fluids, is/are connected via platinum or other conductive metal leads to return feedthroughs.