Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus. The apparatus has two armatures pressed against a valve seat by at least one spring. A coil induces a magnetic field that motivates the armatures against the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve. The armatures may move along a common axis in opposite directions. The apparatus may also include a core located between the armatures and a casing about the coil. The core and casing act to guide the magnetic field, reducing the power requirements for creating the field. Current may be periodically reversed in the coil to provide a degaussing field. In addition, a signal may be produced by the coil in the presence an externally applied magnetic field such as an MRI. An opposing magnetic field may be produced by the coil or the current provided to the coil may be adjusted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus. The apparatus has two armatures pressed against a valve seat by at least one spring. A coil induces a magnetic field that motivates the armatures against the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve. The armatures may move along a common axis in opposite directions. The apparatus may also include a core located between the armatures and a casing about the coil. The core and casing act to guide the magnetic field, reducing the power requirements for creating the field. Current may be periodically reversed in the coil to provide a degaussing field. In addition, a signal may be produced by the coil in the presence an externally applied magnetic field such as an MRI. An opposing magnetic field may be produced by the coil or the current provided to the coil may be adjusted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for allowing use within a body of devices having material not known for its biocompatibility with the body. In one embodiment, a magnetically controlled solenoid/valve is used where portions of the valve are directly in contact with compositions that are to be delivered to a target site. Advantage is taken of an existing solenoid/valve having chromium alloy parts by coating the portions of the valve that contact the deliverable composition with a known biocompatible material having good wear resistance. In one embodiment, titanium nitride (TiN) is used as the coating material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for assisting programming a pulse generator comprises: defining a set of unique electrode combinations in the controller device, each electrode combination within the set providing a unique locus of stimulation for a single stimulation pulse applied at a base location relative to loci of stimulation of other electrode combinations, the set of unique electrode combinations defining a two-dimensional range of multiple loci of stimulation; providing one or more user interfaces to the clinician to control pulse generation and delivery by the single-source pulse generator; and processing input from the clinician related to relocation of a locus of stimulation, the processing comprising (i) automatically selecting an electrode combination from the set, and (ii) automatically modifying an electrode combination used by the single-source pulse generator to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to the selected electrode combination.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control apparatus. The apparatus has two armatures pressed against a valve seat by at least one spring. A coil induces a magnetic field that motivates the armatures against the force of the spring, thereby opening the valve. The armatures may move along a common axis in opposite directions. The apparatus may also include a core located between the armatures and a casing about the coil. The core and casing act to guide the magnetic field, reducing the power requirements for creating the field. Current may be periodically reversed in the coil to provide a degaussing field. In addition, a signal may be produced by the coil in the presence an externally applied magnetic field such as an MRI. An opposing magnetic field may be produced by the coil or the current provided to the coil may be adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and/or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises: a rechargeable battery for powering the implantable medical device; an antenna for receiving RF power; and circuitry for charging the rechargeable battery using power received via the antenna, wherein the circuitry for charging comprises control circuitry that causes the circuitry for charging to recharge the rechargeable battery using multiple current levels applied in succession, and wherein the circuitry for charging switches from at least one of the current levels to another current level when a charging voltage of the rechargeable battery reaches a threshold value that is varied by the control circuitry over a lifespan of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a percutaneous insertion-capable lead, wherein insertion made through a percutaneous insertion structure. For one embodiment of such lead, the electrode-supporting stimulation portion of the lead includes at least one waisted region, relative to a transverse dimension of the lead, to facilitate lead steerability.

Abstract: A device and method for generating electrical stimulation. The implantable device includes a programmable switching device or array that receives at least one pulse generator output coupled through at least one coupling capacitor. The switching device selectively connects at least one pulse generator output to a plurality of electrode terminals via at least one coupling capacitor. Electrical stimulation signals may be applied directly from the electrode terminals, or are applied through a lead or lead extension having corresponding electrodes electrically connected to the electrode terminals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating an implantable pulse generator comprises: providing power to a voltage converter at a first voltage level; outputting a second voltage level by the voltage converter, the second voltage level being a variable voltage level that is controlled by a control signal provided to the voltage converter, the second voltage level being provided to pulse generating circuitry of the implantable pulse generator, the second voltage level being selectable from a plurality of voltages including non-integer multiples of the first voltage level; generating pulses by the pulse generating circuitry, the pulse generating circuitry including current control circuitry for controlling the pulses to cause the pulses to provide substantially constant current to tissue of the patient; and applying at least two different control signals to the voltage converter during individual pulses to provide successively increasing voltages to the pulse generating circuitry during a respective pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide trial stimulators suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Trial stimulator embodiments provide a patient interface and/or clinician interface which appears and functions substantially the same as an interface of a pulse generator controller which will be used after a trial period. A compliance monitor feature may be provided to facilitate verifying the proper use of the trial stimulator during a trial period. A diagnostic feature may be provided to facilitate verifying proper operation of various aspects of a trial stimulator, such as electrode impedance analysis. Trial stimulators of embodiments provide stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera. Embodiments provide for multi-electrode stimulation and multi-stimulation programs.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed which provide a substantially constant battery reserve capacity with respect to therapeutic medical devices. Accordingly, a battery control system may be operable to maintain a substantially constant reserve capacity throughout the life of the battery. The battery reserve capacity activation threshold may be set and continuously or periodically updated so that a battery's remaining capacity equals the predetermined reserve capacity when the measured parameter reaches the activation threshold, thereby allowing a maximum amount of a battery's total capacity to be employed for therapeutic use and reserve only that portion of that capacity determined to provide for a desired level and/or period of device function after reaching the reserve threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulse generator for generating electrical stimulation for delivery to a patient, comprises: a hermetically sealed housing containing pulse generating circuitry; a header coupled to the housing for receiving one or more stimulation leads, wherein feedthrough wires are provided to conduct electrical pulses from the pulse generating circuitry to the header; the header comprising a plurality of connectors for electrically connecting to each terminal of the one or more stimulation leads, wherein an inductive winding is disposed around or adjacent to each of the connector structures and is electrically connected between the respective connector structure and a corresponding feedthrough wire to limit MRI induced heating of a respective electrode of the one or more stimulation leads.

Abstract: An implantable lead, and method of manufacturing same, and a system and method for stimulation. The lead has proximal and distal ends having, respectively, a connector portion with a terminal and an electrode. An optically switched device is electrically connected to the electrode and to the terminal. An optical fiber is optically coupled to the connector portion at one end and to the optically switched device at another end. The optically switched device conducts a stimulus from the terminal to the electrode in response to an optical signal transmitted over the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide an external clinician interface, such as through the use of a laptop computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The foregoing clinician interface may be used with trial stimulators well suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Stimulators of embodiments are adapted for use in providing stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera.