Micromodular implants to provide electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles and limbs
TL;DR: Describes the design, fabrication, and output capabilities of a microminiature electrical stimulator that can be injected in or near nerves and muscles and used successfully for chronic stimulation in hindlimb muscles of cats.
Abstract: Describes the design, fabrication, and output capabilities of a microminiature electrical stimulator that can be injected in or near nerves and muscles. Each single channel microstimulator consists of a cylindrical glass capsule with hermetically sealed electrodes in either end (2-mm diameter/spl times/13-mm overall length). Power and digital control data can be transmitted to multiple implants (256 unique addresses) via a 2-MHz RF field created by an external AM oscillator and inductive coil. In vitro testing demonstrated accurate control of output pulsewidth (3-258 /spl mu/s in 1-/spl mu/s steps) and current (0-30 mA in two linear ranges of 16 steps each, up to 8.5 V available compliance voltage). Microstimulators were used successfully for chronic stimulation in hindlimb muscles of cats. Design and fabrication issues affecting yield and reliability of the packaging and electronics are discussed.
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Patent•
26 Jan 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, the present paper relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host, and the present invention relates to the system and method for measuring an analyte in the host.
Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
902 citations
Patent•
05 Oct 2005
TL;DR: In this article, a pulsed electric field was used to induce electroporation or electrofusion of percutaneous intravascular vessels to reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease.
Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
751 citations
Patent•
01 Sep 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, a time-dependent algorithmic compensation function is applied to data output from a continuous analyte sensor to determine a time since sensor implantation and/or whether a newly initialized sensor has been used previously.
Abstract: Systems and methods for applying time-dependent algorithmic compensation functions to data output from a continuous analyte sensor. Some embodiments determine a time since sensor implantation and/or whether a newly initialized sensor has been used previously.
690 citations
Patent•
03 Jun 2005
TL;DR: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve is described in this paper, where the goal is to reduce the sympathetic activity of renal nerve.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently implanted or catheter based.
626 citations
Patent•
30 Apr 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a system for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor, in order to assist the user in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of delivery of glucose values.
Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and/or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction.
600 citations
References
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TL;DR: The first 50 patients who have received sacral anterior root stimulator implants are presented, with follow-up of from 1 to 9 years, and 39 are alive and 43 are regularly using their implants for micturition.
Abstract: The first 50 patients who have received sacral anterior root stimulator implants are presented, with follow-up of from 1 to 9 years. Forty-nine are alive and 43 are regularly using their implants for micturition. Of the 49 living, 39 are "very pleased, without significant reservations", six are pleased on balance but have reservations, and four are dissatisfied. Residual urine volumes are substantially reduced in all patients who are using their implants. Ten of the 12 female patients and the majority of male patients have become continent. The voiding pressure in implant-driven micturition can be regulated by adjusting the stimulus parameters, and is always kept below 90 cm H2O. Of seven patients with ureteric reflux before operation, four have ceased to reflux and the other three are unchanged. Changes in the radiographic appearances of the bladder have been favourable or zero, but there have been two cases of deterioration in the upper urinary tracts. Significant harmful effects have been CSF leaks, urinary infections following post-operative urodynamic study, and accidental damage to roots. Anterior roots nearly always recover from accidental damage, and posterior roots do not.
324 citations
TL;DR: The Bionic Glove can provide significant improvement of hand function in people with C6-C7 SCI, as judged by the number of tasks completed in a minute or the subjects' qualitative ratings of task difficulty.
257 citations
240 citations
TL;DR: The authors prefer stimulation of the phrenic nerve in the thorax using a platinum ribbon electrode placed behind the nerve and an attached subcutancously implanted radiofrequency receiver inductively coupled to an external RF transmitter.
Abstract: Sophisticated techniques for electrical stimulation of excitable tissue to treat neuromuscular disorders rationally have been developed over the past 3 decades. A historical review shows that electricity has been applied to the phrenic nerves to activate the diaphragm for some 200 years. Of the contemporary methods for stimulating the phrenic nerve in cases of ventilatory insufficiency, the authors prefer stimulation of the phrenic nerve in the thorax using a platinum ribbon electrode placed behind the nerve and an attached subcutaneously implanted radiofrequency (RF) receiver inductively coupled to an external RF transmitter. Instructions are given for implanting the electrode-receiver assembly, emphasizing atraumatic handling of the phrenic nerve and strict aseptic techniques. Diaphragm pacing is conducted with low frequency electrical stimulation at a slow repetition (respiratory) rate to condition the diaphragm muscle against fatigue and maintain it fatigue-free. Candidates for diaphragm pacing are those with ventilatory insufficiency due to malfunction of the respiratory control center or interruption of the upper motor neurons of the phrenic nerve. In the Yale series, there were 77 patients treated by diaphragm pacing; 63 (82%) started before 1981 and thus were available for follow-up for at least 5 years; 33 (52%) were paced for 5 to 10 years, and 15 (24%) were paced for 10 to 16. Long term stimulation of the phrenic nerves to pace the diaphragm is an effective method of ventilatory support in selected cases.
221 citations
TL;DR: The feasibility is examined of designing millimeter- and submillimeter-sized power sources based on RF coupling that could be integrated into these implants to provide power without a tethering power cable.
Abstract: The size of the transducers for neural stimulation has shrunk steadily with application of thin-film techniques to electrode design. The feasibility is examined of designing millimeter- and submillimeter-sized power sources based on RF coupling that could be integrated into these implants to provide power without a tethering power cable. The coupling between a transmitter coil and receiver coil when the coil diameters are markedly different is analyzed, and for these circumstances, a simple Thevenin equivalent model is developed to describe the power transmission between the transmitter and receiver. The equivalent circuit developed gives insight into the way that coil diameters, frequency, and turns affect coupling between large and small coils. Several examples demonstrate that milliwatt range power sources can be implemented with millimeter- and submillimeter-diameter receivers. >
215 citations