Apparatus, system and method for selective stimulation

Abstract

An implantable neurostimulator system is disclosed, the neurostimulator system comprising a hollow cylindrical electronics enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a side; a coil extending from a first part of the electronics enclosure; and at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.

1 . An implantable neurostimulator system, comprising:
 a hollow cylindrical electronics enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a side;   a coil extending from a first part of the electronics enclosure; and   at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the coil is at least partially integral with the molded body. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics enclosure is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics enclosure contains a microcontroller and custom ASIC. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable neurostimulator system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one feedthrough lead extending through the electronics enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics enclosure operatively connects to an antenna and at least one electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 7 , wherein the electronics enclosure operative connection is at least one feedthrough. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 7 , wherein the electronics enclosure operative connection is a permanently attached lead. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power source. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power source is an RF device. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power source is an ultracapacitor. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one power source is a battery. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , further comprising an ultracapacitor and a battery. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the neurostimulator receives power and telemetry commands from at least one external source. 
     
     
         16 . An implantable neurostimulator system, comprising:
 a symmetrical chevron-shaped molded body having an apex, a first and a second side, and a base;   a coil at the apex of the molded body;   an electronics enclosure at least partially integral with the molded body; and   at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.   
     
     
         17 . The implantable neurostimulator of  claim 15 , wherein the implant has at least one hole along at least one of the first and second sides of the molded body. 
     
     
         18 . A neurostimulator electrode, comprising:
 a cuff having a first and a second surface;   at least one contact on one of the first and second surfaces; and   means for delivering a stimulus to the at least one contact.   
     
     
         19 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff is biocompatible. 
     
     
         20 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff is expandable. 
     
     
         21 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff has at least one perforation. 
     
     
         22 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 21 , wherein the perforation penetrates through the first and second cuff surfaces. 
     
     
         23 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff is helically shaped. 
     
     
         24 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff is at least partially circular. 
     
     
         25 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 24 , wherein the cuff is expandable from a diameter of approximately 2 mm to a diameter of approximately 12 mm. 
     
     
         26 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 24 , wherein the cuff is self-sizing. 
     
     
         27 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff overlaps at least a portion of itself to form an empty space defined by the second cuff surface. 
     
     
         28 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , wherein the cuff forms an open trough. 
     
     
         29 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 28 , wherein the open trough has a round bottom. 
     
     
         30 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 28 , wherein the open trough has a flat bottom. 
     
     
         31 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one stimulation source. 
     
     
         32 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , further comprising at least two contacts. 
     
     
         33 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , further comprising at least three contacts. 
     
     
         34 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 32  or  33 , wherein each contact individually connects to a stimulation source. 
     
     
         35 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 18 , further comprising a first and second contact array. 
     
     
         36 . The neurostimulator electrode of  claim 35 , wherein the surface area of the second contact array is larger than the surface area of the first contact array. 
     
     
         37 . An implantable neurostimulator system, comprising:
 an electronics enclosure;   a coil; and   at least one perforated cuff electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.   
     
     
         38 . An implantable neurostimulator system, comprising:
 an electronics enclosure;   a coil; and   at least one flat-bottomed open trough electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.   
     
     
         39 . A method of neurostimulation, comprising the steps of:
 at least partially encircling a nerve with a cuff having a first and a second surface, the cuff having at least one contact on one of the first and second surfaces;   connecting at least one stimulus generator to the at least one contact; and   delivering a stimulus to the at least one contact.   
     
     
         40 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , wherein the stimulus is a controlled current. 
     
     
         41 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of defining a neural activation volume by applying at least two stimuli to at least two contacts. 
     
     
         42 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 41 , wherein the at least two stimuli are delivered approximately simultaneously. 
     
     
         43 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the applied stimuli is an asymmetric pulse. 
     
     
         44 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , wherein the stimulus is pulse train having a frequency between approximately 1 and approximately 100 Hertz. 
     
     
         45 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of detecting a trigger. 
     
     
         46 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of changing the stimulus in response to a respiration indicator. 
     
     
         47 . The neurostimulation method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of initiating a preprogrammed stimulus in response to a respiration indicator.