Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG patch adhered to a skin surface of a patient and connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location. The EPG may be a modified version of the IPG used in the permanent system, the EPG may be smaller and/or lighter than the corresponding IPG device. The EPG and a lead extension may be sealed to allow improved patient mobility and reduced risk of infection. The EPG may be compatible with wireless systems used to control and monitor the IPG such that operation and control of the EPG is substantially the same in each system to allow seemless conversion to the permanently implanted system.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) including a case containing an energy storage device and one or more electrode leads. A header is coupled to the case. The header includes a cassette, an antenna coupled to the cassette and electrically coupled to the case, the case configured as a part of the antenna for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals, and an electrode attachment structure configured to couple with the cassette and configured to couple with the one or more electrode leads.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: An external pulse generator (EPG) for stimulating a nerve includes a housing including an electrical contact configured to receive a lead type for stimulating the nerve. The housing includes a door covering the electrical contact. The door is configured to be nested within and latched to the housing. The door is configured to swing open to uncover the electrical contact. A receptacle is located on the housing and is configured to receive a first end of an electrical cable. The is configured to be connected to a second lead type for stimulating the nerve. The EPG includes a battery that carries a communication signal and is located between a circuit board and the housing. The EPG includes a ground pad connector extending through the housing. The ground pad connector is attached to a ground pad that is configured to be placed on a surface of a skin of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments include implantable neurostimulation leads configured to reduce current leakage following implantation in a patient's body, and methods of manufacturing such leads. A lead includes a lead body with proximal apertures and distal apertures; a lumen extending through the lead body; electrodes at a distal portion of the lead body and connector interfaces at a proximal portion of the lead body; conductors extending through the lead body, with their proximal ends exiting via respective proximal apertures to couple with a respective connector interfaces, and their distal ends exiting the interior of the lead body via respective distal apertures to couple with a respective electrodes; and an electrically nonconductive filler element for occupying gaps in the interior of the lead body resulting from the exit of conductors from the lead body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for facilitating remote programming of an implanted neurostimulation device are provided herein. Such methods include establishing communication between an implanted pulse generator of the neurostimulation system and a remote device associated with a remote support entity through one or more intermediary devices. The intermediary devices can include any of: a patient remote, a charger, a specialized communicator device, a plug-in accessory, and a patient device to facilitate communication of patient and program information for a current neurostimulation therapy. The remote device determines or receives a program update of one or more parameters or a new neurostimulation program and updates the implantable pulse generator through the intermediary devices.

Abstract: Embodiments include implantable neurostimulation leads configured to reduce current leakage following implantation in a patient's body, and methods of manufacturing such leads. A lead includes a lead body with proximal apertures and distal apertures; a lumen extending through the lead body; electrodes at a distal portion of the lead body and connector interfaces at a proximal portion of the lead body; conductors extending through the lead body, with their proximal ends exiting via respective proximal apertures to couple with a respective connector interfaces, and their distal ends exiting the interior of the lead body via respective distal apertures to couple with a respective electrodes; and an electrically nonconductive filler element for occupying gaps in the interior of the lead body resulting from the exit of conductors from the lead body.

Abstract: According to another disclosed embodiment, an energy efficient implantable neurostimulator for delivering one or more electrical pulses to a target region within a patient's body is provided. The neurostimulator includes a converter for generating the stimulation current, wherein the converter includes a voltage increasing circuit and a voltage reducing circuit. The stimulator may also include a current source that includes a pair of cascode arranged transistors that are controlled to maintain an amplitude of the stimulation current substantially constant. The neurostimulator may also include a bias voltage power supply that powers a selecting circuit for selecting one of the voltage increasing or voltage decreasing circuits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assesssing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incission to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector rectacle through which the the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a purality of differing connector to faciltiate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: A medical device for tissue ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include a temperature sensor aligned with two or more electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector receptacle through which the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a plurality of differing connector to facilitate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes an ablation system. The ablation system may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A plurality of ablation tines may be disposed at the distal region. Each of the ablation tines may include a tubular member having a flexible circuit disposed therein. The flexible circuit may include a substrate, one or more electrodes coupled to the substrate, and a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to the one or more electrodes. The plurality of ablation tines may include a first ablation tine and a second ablation tine. A pair of bipolar electrodes may defined by a first electrode disposed at the first ablation tine and a second electrode disposed at the second ablation tine.

Abstract: A system for determining an estimate of a battery capacity for the battery of an implantable device that is used over a period of time. The system includes an external device having a processor that is configured to communicate with the implantable device. During the initial phase, the processor is configured to determine the estimate of the battery capacity using battery energy consumption data and a battery capacity at the beginning of use. During the latter phase, the processor is configured to determine the estimate of the battery capacity based on the battery voltage. The system may include an intermediate stage and, during the intermediate phase, the processor is configured to determine the estimate of the battery capacity based on the battery energy consumption data and the battery voltage.

Abstract: A training system for a neurostimulation system that may be used to simulate a neurostimulator programming session and/or lead placement. The system may include a training device that may be coupled to a neurostimulator programmer and may include an interface to allow user interaction and/or display information relevant to the stimulation. The trainer device may include circuitry for simulating a neurostimulator such as an IPG or EPG, and may include circuitry for simulating impedance associated with lead placement.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems facilitating remote programming of an implanted neurostimulation system. Establishing communication between an implanted pulse generator (IPG) and a remote programming device associated with a remote support entity through one or more intermediary devices, which can utilize various communication protocols, such as Bluetooth (BT), MedRadio (MR), cellular, WiFi, or any combination thereof. The intermediary devices include a patient device, which can communicate directly with Bluetooth-enabled IPGs and a remote programming device, or can utilize additional intermediary devices such as a patient remote or adapter accessory to facilitate communication with existing non-BT enabled IPGs. The patient device and remote device can further include a software framework to facilitate communication between the IPG and the remote support entity, as well as collecting subjective/objective patient information.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) includes a communication module configured to send data to and receive data. A data module is coupled to the communication module and configured to manage data relating to the identity and properties of the IPG. A pulse control module is configured to control the generation of one or more pulses by the IPG. The IPG also includes an energy storage device configured to store energy and a first housing, the first housing containing at least a portion of the IPG. Further, the IPG includes an antenna coupled to the communication module. The antenna is selectively electrically coupled to the first housing.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator (IPG) including a case containing an energy storage device and one or more electrode leads. A header is coupled to the case. The header includes a cassette, an antenna coupled to the cassette and electrically coupled to the case, the case configured as a part of the antenna for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals, and an electrode attachment structure configured to couple with the cassette and configured to couple with the one or more electrode leads.