Abstract: An implant is implanted into a tissue of a subject. The implant includes a circuitry unit that houses circuitry, and one or more outwardly-facing electrodes that are electrically coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry unit is shaped to define a height that is smaller than (i) a longest length, and (ii) a longest width of the circuitry unit. The implant is oriented with respect to the tissue, such that: (a) the height of the circuitry unit is disposed along a superficial-to-deep axis with respect to skin of the subject, (b) the implant is positioned to stimulate a nerve underlying the implant, and (c) the implant is positioned in a manner that inhibits electrical conduction from the outwardly-facing electrodes into skin of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A neurostimulator implant includes an insulating member and an elongate circuitry unit. The circuitry unit includes (a) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a first end portion of the circuitry unit; (b) a second electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a second end portion of the circuitry unit; and (c) circuitry, disposed inside the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the first and second electrodes. The circuitry unit is disposed alongside a medial part of the insulating member, bulging away from the insulating member to define a generally arced portion of the implant. Lateral parts of the insulating member extend laterally outward from the medial part to define lateral zones laterally beyond the circuitry unit. The second side of the insulating member defines a generally flat side of the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implant, including: (a) a circuitry unit having a first end, a second end, a conducting lateral side, and an opposing lateral side; (b) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the first end; (c) a second electrode, disposed on the outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the second end; (d) circuitry, disposed within the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the electrodes; and (e) an insulating member, disposed on the opposing lateral side such that, on the opposing lateral side, each electrode is sandwiched between the insulating member and the circuitry unit, and the insulating member inhibits electrical conduction from the electrodes into the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus including an implant is provided, the implant including: a rod-shaped housing, having a distal half and a proximal half, and configured to be injected distally into tissue of a subject; a cathode on the distal half of the housing; an anchor configured to protrude from the proximal half of the housing, no anchor being configured to protrude from the distal half of the housing; an anode; and circuitry disposed within the housing, configured to drive a current between the cathode and the anode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implant includes tissue-contacting electrodes; at least one implant antenna configured to receive wireless power; and implant circuitry configured to use the received wireless power to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current. A hand-held controller includes: (i) one or more controller antennas, configured to transmit the wireless power, and to communicate with a consumer device; (ii) a battery configured to store battery power; and (iii) controller circuitry configured to: (a) use the battery power to drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit the wireless power, (b) identify a position of the controller with respect to the implant, and (c) drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit juxtaposition information to the consumer device about the position of the controller with respect to the implant.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implant, including: (a) a circuitry unit having a first end, a second end, a conducting lateral side, and an opposing lateral side; (b) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the first end; (c) a second electrode, disposed on the outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the second end; (d) circuitry, disposed within the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the electrodes; and (e) an insulating member, disposed on the opposing lateral side such that, on the opposing lateral side, each electrode is sandwiched between the insulating member and the circuitry unit, and the insulating member inhibits electrical conduction from the electrodes into the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, comprising (1) a first controller comprising at least one first-controller antenna configured to transmit a first wireless power signal having a first signal power; and a first-controller control unit configured to use battery power to drive the first-controller antenna; (2) a second controller, comprising at least one second-controller antenna, configured to transmit a second wireless power signal having a second signal power; and a second-controller control unit, configured to use mains electricity power to drive the second-controller antenna; and (3) an implant, comprising one or more electrodes; at least one implant antenna configured to receive 1-10 percent of the first signal power, and to receive 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power; and circuitry configured to drive the one or more electrodes responsively to the received 1-10 percent of the first signal power, or the received 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a medical implant that includes a receiving coil. A transmitting device includes a first transmitting coil, and a second transmitting coil disposed with respect to the first transmitting coil such that a shortest distance from an edge of the second transmitting coil to an edge of the first transmitting coil is within 20% of a length of the receiving coil. A control unit is configured to transmit power to the medical implant by driving a current source to drive a current in a clockwise direction through one of the transmitting coils, and drive a current in a counterclockwise direction through the other one of the transmitting coils. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus including an implant is provided, the implant including: a rod-shaped housing, having a distal half and a proximal half, and configured to be injected distally into tissue of a subject; a cathode on the distal half of the housing; an anchor configured to protrude from the proximal half of the housing, no anchor being configured to protrude from the distal half of the housing; an anode; and circuitry disposed within the housing, configured to drive a current between the cathode and the anode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, comprising (1) a first controller comprising at least one first-controller antenna configured to transmit a first wireless power signal having a first signal power; and a first-controller control unit configured to use battery power to drive the first-controller antenna; (2) a second controller, comprising at least one second-controller antenna, configured to transmit a second wireless power signal having a second signal power; and a second-controller control unit, configured to use mains electricity power to drive the second-controller antenna; and (3) an implant, comprising one or more electrodes; at least one implant antenna configured to receive 1-10 percent of the first signal power, and to receive 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power; and circuitry configured to drive the one or more electrodes responsively to the received 1-10 percent of the first signal power, or the received 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a medical implant that includes a receiving coil. A transmitting device includes a first transmitting coil, and a second transmitting coil disposed with respect to the first transmitting coil such that a shortest distance from an edge of the second transmitting coil to an edge of the first transmitting coil is within 20% of a length of the receiving coil. A control unit is configured to transmit power to the medical implant by driving a current source to drive a current in a clockwise direction through one of the transmitting coils, and drive a current in a counterclockwise direction through the other one of the transmitting coils. Other applications are also described.