Portable assemblies, systems and methods for providing functional or therapeutic neurostimulation

Abstract

Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, kits, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin or carried outside the body. Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a carrier and a removable electronics pod, the electronics pod including stimulation generation circuitry, a power input bay to hold a disposable power source, and user interface components. The assemblies, systems, and methods are adapted to provide coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.

1 . A power source for a neurostimulation assembly comprising:
 a housing,   at least one battery secured within the housing,   circuitry positioned within the housing and adapted to electronically store information about the power source, and   contacts electrically coupled to the circuitry and exposed on the exterior of the housing, the contacts adapted to provide power to the neurostimulation assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the power source is non-rechargeable.   
     
     
         3 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the battery is non-replaceable.   
     
     
         4 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the power source is disposable.   
     
     
         5 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the power source circuitry includes non-volatile memory.   
     
     
         6 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the electronically stored information comprises power source usage data, or a unique power source identification, or power source capacity.   
     
     
         7 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the housing is adapted to prevent the use of a power source not intended for the neurostimulation assembly.   
     
     
         8 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the circuitry is adapted to discontinue the supply of power from the power source to the neurostimulation assembly when the power source has delivered power for a predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         9 . A power source according to  claim 1   wherein the housing is non-metallic.   
     
     
         10 . A kit of devices to provide power to a neurostimulation assembly, the kit comprising,
 a supply of power sources,   a power source organizer adapted to hold one or more power sources for each day or period of a prescribed power source replacement regime, and   instructions furnished by a clinician or caregiver or physician prescribing the release and replacement of the power source according to the prescribed power source replacement regime, the prescribed power source replacement regime comprising the replacement of the power source on a prescribed repeated basis similar to administering a pill under a prescribed pill-based medication regime.   
     
     
         11 . A kit according to  claim 10  further including
 a neurostimulation assembly, and 
 instructions for use of the neurostimulation assembly including the placement and removal of the neurostimulation assembly, along with operation of the neurostimulation assembly. 
 
     
     
         12 . A coordinated neurostimulation system comprising:
 at least two elongated leads, each lead sized and configured to include a distal portion adapted to be positioned in subcutaneous tissue,   the distal portion including at least one electrode adapted for implantation in a targeted tissue region, and   at least one programmable external neurostimulation assembly electrically coupled to the electrode of the at least two elongated leads, the at least two leads spaced apart from each other and adapted to provide coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.   
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12   wherein the system comprises a master neurostimulation stimulation assembly and one or more slave neurostimulation assemblies, with the master assembly adapted to provide coordinated control of multiple slave neurostimulation assemblies, the system capable of providing coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.   
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12   wherein the targeted tissue region comprises a muscle tissue region.   
     
     
         15 . A method of using a power source for a neurostimulation assembly comprising:
 providing a power source for a neurostimulation assembly,   providing instructions prescribing the release and replacement of the power source according to a prescribed power source replacement regime, the prescribed power source replacement regime comprising the replacement of the power source on a prescribed repeated basis, similar to administering a pill under a prescribed pill-based medication regime,   inserting the power source into a power input bay of the neurostimulation assembly, and   operating the neurostimulation circuitry to apply neurostimulation to tissue.   
     
     
         16 . A method of providing treatment to a body comprising:
 providing a neurostimulation assembly having a power input bay,   providing a power source, the power source comprising   a housing,   at least one battery secured within the housing,   circuitry positioned within the housing and adapted to electronically store information about the power source, and   contacts electrically coupled to the circuitry and exposed on the exterior of the housing, the contacts adapted to provide power to the neurostimulation assembly,   inserting the power source into the power input bay of the neurostimulation assembly, and   operating the neurostimulation circuitry for providing treatment to the body.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16   wherein the treatment to the body comprises coordinated muscle stimulation, or continuous active motion, or post surgical anti-scarring treatment, or neuroplasticity therapy, or anti-spasm therapy, or chronic or temporary pain therapy, or post-surgical reconditioning, thromboembolism prophylaxis, or osteoporosis, or neuroprosthesis, or body sculpting.