SPINAL MODULATION, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150305002 | ESTABLISHING AN RF LINK BETWEEN A BASE STATION AND A MEDICAL DEVICE - Certain embodiments described herein enable a base station (BS) and a medical device (MD) to establish a radio frequency (RF) link using any one of a plurality of different RF channels. The MD sniffs the RF channels over which a BS may send a link request, and tunes to the RF channel identified, as a result of the sniffing, as the channel over which a BS may be transmitting a link request. The MD may also demodulate a signal received over the RF channel to which the MD is tuned, and determine, based on a portion of the demodulated signal including a channel identifier, a specific one of the RF channels over which a BS is actually transmitting. This enables the MD to change the channel to which it is tuned if it determines that it is not tuned to the RF channel over which a BS is actually transmitting. | 10-22-2015 |
20150209592 | IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATOR DEVICES INCLUDING BOTH NON-RECHARGEABLE AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND METHODS OF USE THEREWITH - An implantable neurostimulation (INS) device includes a non-rechargeable battery, a rechargeable battery, an antenna, an inductive coil, a neurostimulation module and a telemetry module. The neurostimulation module produces neurostimulation signals for delivery to target neural tissue, and the telemetry module wirelessly communicates with a non-implantable device using at least one of the antenna and the inductive coil. The non-rechargeable battery provides power to the neurostimulation module, and the rechargeable battery provides power to the telemetry module. The INS device also includes a charge module that charges the rechargeable battery in dependence on signals received from a non-implantable device via the inductive coil. Additional modules, such a sensor module, can be powered by the rechargeable battery. Additionally modules, such as controller, can be powered by the non-rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery can power components normally powered by the non-rechargeable battery, when a capacity of the non-chargeable battery falls below a threshold. | 07-30-2015 |
20140343623 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TURNING ON AND OFF DRG STIMULATION AND ADJUSTING DRG STIMULATION PARAMETERS - Methods and systems described herein can be used to automatically turn on and off stimulation of a target dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and/or adjust stimulation parameters. At least one of an input signal (indicative of an electrical field resulting from an electrical signal propagated by adjacent distal sensory nerve fibers toward the target DRG), an output signal (indicative of an electrical field resulting from an electrical signal propagated by adjacent proximal sensory nerve fibers away from the target DRG) or a DRG signal (indicative of an electrical field produced by cell bodies of primary sensory neurons within the target DRG and resulting from an electrical signal propagated by sensory nerve fibers within the target DRG) is/are obtained and analyzed. Delivery of electrical stimulation is turned on and off and/or at least one of pulse amplitude, pulse width and/or pulse repetition rate is/are adjusted based on results of the analysis. | 11-20-2014 |
20140276925 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USE IN GUIDING IMPLANTATION OF A NEUROMODULATION LEAD - Methods and systems for use in guiding implantation of a neuromodulation lead during an implant procedure are disclosed herein. Certain methods and system are for use in guiding implantation of a lead toward an implant position where at least one electrode of the lead is located near a target dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Such methods can involve inserting a distal end of the lead into an epidural space of a spinal column within which is located the target DRG, and using one or more electrodes of the lead to obtain a sensed signal indicative of proximity of at least one electrode of the lead relative to the target DRG. Additionally, the sensed signal is used to guide placement of at least one electrode of the lead toward the implant position near the target DRG. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257240 | ARTICULABLE INTRODUCER SHEATH - Articulable introducer sheaths and related methods and systems for accessing various surgical sites are disclosed. An introducer sheath comprises a tubular body and a filament. The tubular body has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central lumen. The filament is constrained on or within at least a portion of the proximal portion and unconstrained over at least a portion of the distal portion. The distal end of the filament is held or attached near a distal end of the tubular body so that advancement of the filament relative to the tubular body causes the unconstrained portion to bow out or extend radially outward, such as to engage a body tissue so as to steer the tubular body when the tubular body has been introduced into a surgical site, such as an epidural space. A surgical tool or medical implant can then be advanced through the sheath. | 09-11-2014 |
20140114385 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM - Devices, systems and methods are provided to modulate portions of neural tissue of the nervous system, such as portions of the central nervous system or portions of the peripheral nervous system. In some embodiments, the systems and devices of the present invention are used to stimulate one or more dorsal root ganglia, dorsal roots, dorsal root entry zones, or portions thereof, while minimizing or excluding undesired stimulation of other tissues, such as surrounding or nearby tissues, ventral root and portions of the anatomy associated with body regions which are not targeted for treatment. In other embodiments, the systems and devices are used to stimulate portions of the peripheral nervous system. In some embodiments, the modulation generates a massaging sensation, particularly when stimulating neural tissue on particular spinal levels, such as L2 or L3. | 04-24-2014 |
20130318259 | DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS (DMA) CONTROLLED MEDICAL DEVICES - A sub-system for controlling a medical device comprises memory including a first table and a second table. The first table stores blocks of event data corresponding to events that are to be performed during a period of time (e.g., a 0.5 sec. or 1 sec. period of time). The second table stores blocks of time data corresponding to the period of time. The implantable stimulation system also includes a direct memory access (DMA) controller including a first DMA channel and a second DMA channel. The first DMA channel selectively transfers one of the blocks event data from the first table to one or more registers that are used to control events. The second DMA channel selectively transfers one of the blocks of time data from the second table to a timer that is used to control timing associated with the events. | 11-28-2013 |
20120310140 | DIRECTED DELIVERY OF AGENTS TO NEURAL ANATOMY - The present invention is directed generally to systems, devices and methods for direct delivery of agents, e.g., pharmaceutical agents, to target spinal and neuronal anatomies, e.g., the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), for the treatment of various disorders, particularly pain and pain related disorders, such as chronic itch, sensory disorders, multiple sclerosis, post-herpetic neuralgia and the like. The system, devices and methods of the invention encompass the agents to be delivered to the target anatomy alone or in combination with electrical stimulation. The delivery device and systems and methods as disclosed herein place the distal end of the delivery element, which comprises at least one agent delivery structure, and optionally at least one electrode, in close proximity, or in contact with or next to the target spinal anatomy, e.g., DRG. A variety of agents can be delivered using the device, including sodium channel blockers, biologics, neuroinflammatory modulators, toxins etc., to selectively neuromodulate the neurons. Agent delivery and/or electrical stimulation can be automated and/or can be controlled automatically or by a pre-determined program, or by a patient control pump (PCA). | 12-06-2012 |
20120290042 | METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR PROGRAMMING NEUROSTIMULATION - Methods, devices and systems are provided to efficiently identify, from among a plurality of possible neurostimulation parameter sets, one or more preferred neurostimulation parameter sets that treat a targeted pain of a patient. A plurality of different neurostimulation parameter sets are tested on the patient to thereby identify those tested neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain. Each of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets defines an electrode configuration that differs from the other tested neurostimulation parameter sets. If more than one of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets are identified as treating the targeted pain, then neurostimulation parameter sets identified as treating the targeted pain are retested, with the value for a specific neurostimulation signal parameter reduced by a same amount for each of the retested neurostimulation parameter sets, to thereby identify those neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain at the reduced power consumption level. | 11-15-2012 |
20120277828 | METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR EFFICIENTLY PROGRAMMING NEUROSTIMULATION - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to neurostimulation systems, methods for use with neurostimulation systems, and devices (e.g., programmers) of neurostimulation systems. Such a neurostimulation system can include, e.g., a neurostimulator, a programmer configured to communicate with and program the neurostimulator, and one or more leads connected to the neurostimulator, wherein each lead includes one or more electrodes. A method, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is for enabling efficient identification of one or more preferred sets of neurostimulation parameters from among numerous possible sets of neurostimulation parameters, wherein each set of neurostimulation parameters specifies a lead, an electrode configuration for the specified lead, and one or more pulse parameters (e.g., a pulse amplitude value, a pulse width value and/or a pulse frequency value). | 11-01-2012 |
20120265272 | TELEMETRY ANTENNAS FOR MEDICAL DEVICES AND MEDICAL DEVICES INCLUDING TELEMETRY ANTENNAS - In an embodiment, an antenna for a medical device, e.g., an implantable medical device (IMD), comprises an electrically conductive wire that spirals to form a three-dimensional shape of a rectangular cuboid. In another embodiment, the antenna comprises an electrically conductive wire that spirals to form a three-dimensional shape of an elliptical cylinder, an oval cylinder, an elongated pentagonal prism, an elongated hexagonal prism, or some other shape where the longitudinal diameter of the antenna is greater than the lateral diameter of the antenna. The antennas are sized to fit within a portion of a header of the medical device. Such antennas are designed to provide increased antenna gain and antenna bandwidth. | 10-18-2012 |
20120258756 | POWER EFFICIENT WIRELESS RF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A BASE STATION AND A MEDICAL DEVICE - Specific embodiments of the present invention are for use by a base station (BS) that enables power efficient wireless radio frequency (RF) communication between the BS and a medical device (MD), which may or may not be an implantable medical device (IMD). In an embodiment, once a communication session is established between the BS and the MD, the BS selectively turns a drop link mode on and off. The drop link mode is a communication mode that while turned on (i.e., enabled) reduces and preferably minimizes the length of time that an RF link is maintained between the BS and the MD. In accordance with an embodiment, at any given time during a communication session the drop link mode is either turned on (i.e., enabled) or turned off (i.e., disabled). | 10-11-2012 |
20120158096 | DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS (DMA) CONTROLLED STIMULATION - An implantable stimulation system (e.g., an implantable neurostimulation system (INS)) comprises memory including a first table and a second table. The first table stores blocks of stimulation event data corresponding to stimulation events that are to be performed during a period of time (e.g., a 0.5 sec. or 1 sec. period of time). The second table stores blocks of next stimulation event time data corresponding to the period of time. The implantable stimulation system also includes a direct memory access (DMA) controller including a first DMA channel and a second DMA channel. The first DMA channel selectively transfers one of the blocks stimulation event data from the first table to one or more registers that are used to control stimulation events. The second DMA channel selectively transfers one of the blocks of next stimulation event time data from the second table to a timer that is used to control timing associated with the stimulation events. In this manner, the DMA controller is able to control stimulation. | 06-21-2012 |
20120029599 | NEUROSTIMULATION PROGRAMMERS WITH IMPROVED RF ANTENNA RADIATION PATTERNS - To provide for an improvement in the communication between an external handheld programmer and an implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted within a patient or an external pulse generator attached to the patient, an antenna of the programmer is positioned relative to the ground plane of the programmer such that when a person handholds the programmer in its predetermined intended orientation a radiation pattern produced by the antenna has substantially maximum RF radiation generally directed toward the patient, regardless whether the person that handholds the programmer is the patient or another person located near the patient. | 02-02-2012 |
20100121408 | METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR PROGRAMMING NEUROSTIMULATION - Methods, devices and systems are provided to efficiently identify, from among a plurality of possible neurostimulation parameter sets, one or more preferred neurostimulation parameter sets that treat a targeted pain of a patient. Each neurostimulation parameter set defines electrode parameters and neurostimulation signal parameters. A plurality of different neurostimulation parameter sets are tested on the patient to thereby identify those tested neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain. Each of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets defines an electrode configuration that differs from the other tested neurostimulation parameter sets. All of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets comprise a same value for a specific neurostimulation signal parameter (e.g., pulse width) that if reduced reduces power consumption. If more than one of the tested neurostimulation parameter sets are identified as treating the targeted pain, then neurostimulation parameter sets identified as treating the targeted pain are retested, with the value for the specific neurostimulation signal parameter reduced by a same amount for each of the retested neurostimulation parameter sets, to thereby identify those neurostimulation parameter sets that treat the targeted pain at the reduced power consumption level. | 05-13-2010 |