Neuromodulation system

Abstract

A neuromodulation system includes a conductive element, a magnetic field generator, a power module and a computer processor. The conductive element located internal a patient's body. At least a portion of the conductive element is positioned adjacent to a target tissue. The magnetic field generator is positioned external to the patient's body. The magnetic field generator generates a time varying magnetic field for inducing stimulation of the target tissue in combination with the conductive element to produce stimulation that is larger than that which would occur in the absence of the conductive element. The power module supplies power to the magnetic field generator. The computer processor controls the time varying magnetic field provided by the magnetic field generator according to at least one set of stimulation parameters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A neuromodulation system, comprising:
 (a) at least one conductive element adapted to be located internal a patient's body, said at least one conductive element having at least a portion thereof positioned adjacent to a target tissue;   (b) a magnetic field generator adapted to be positioned external to said patient's body, said magnetic field generator configured to generate a time varying magnetic field for inducing stimulation of said target tissue in combination with the conductive element to produce stimulation that is larger than that which would occur in the absence of the conductive element;   (c) a power module for powering magnetic field generator; and,   (d) a computer processor configured to control the time varying magnetic field provided by the magnetic field generator according to at least one set of stimulation parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element is formed of an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said at least one conductive element is formed using at least one material selected from the group of: a metal, a metal alloy or a doped composition and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element is formed from a material selected from the group of: a conductive gel, a plurality of conductive particles, a plurality of nano-particles, a conductive polymer, and, a conductive hydrogel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of said at least one conductive element includes a layer of electrically insulating material formed thereupon. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said electrically insulating material is selected from the group of: phenyltrimethoxysilane, silicone, polymer coating, Parylene C, a polyimide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said target tissue is selected from the group of: a brain region, a peripheral nerve, a spinal nerve, a vagus nerve, a median nerve, or other neuron or axon, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said target tissue is a portion of a saphenous nerve, and the system is configured with stimulation parameters set for the treatment of a pelvic floor disorder. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element is formed in a contour selected from the group of: a parallelepiped, an elliptical contour, a cylindrical contour, a rectangular contour, or a mesh contour, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said at least one conductive element contour is said cylindrical contour having a predetermined diameter and a length wherein said predetermined diameter is less than said length. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element is formed from the group consisting of: a wire segment, a multi-stranded wire, a single contact lead electrode, a multi-contact lead electrode, a cuff shaped electrode, a helical nerve electrode, a spiral nerve electrode, or an injectable pellet electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said magnetic field generator includes at least one magnetic coil embedded therein. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said magnetic field generator is configured to provide magnetic resonant induction by creating resonance between the at least one magnetic coil and the at least one conductive element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element is devoid of electrical connection to any element selected from the group consisting of: a feedback circuit, a power management circuit, or a coil for harvesting magnetic energy. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element includes a first end and an opposing second end defining a predetermined length of said at least one conductive element where said predetermined length is equal to or less than 12 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one conductive element includes a first end and an opposing second end defining a predetermined length of said at least one conductive element where said predetermined length is equal to or less than 10 cm. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said at least one conductive element is devoid of electrical connection to any electrical conduit configured to route energy to the conductive element. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said at least one conductive element communicates with an electrical conduit configured to route energy to the conductive element. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic field generator is configured to be selected from the group of: a portable magnetic field generator, a hand-held magnetic generator, a wearable magnetic field generator. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said computer processor is embedded in, or is part of a control module that is configured to operate with a communication module that provides communication with, a smartphone.