Attachment devices and associated methods of use with a nerve stimulation charging device

Abstract

A rechargeable medical implant system for sacral stimulation therapy. The device includes a rechargeable power source that wireless charges via an external portable charger device having an audio transducer operably coupled with associated circuitry configured to provide audio feedback to assist the patient in recharging the neurostimulator device. The audio feedback includes two alerts where a first audio alert to indicate that the external charger device is aligned and that coupling between the wireless transmitting unit and the wireless receiving unit has occurred a second audio alert that indicates that the implantable neurostimulator device is fully charged, wherein the second audio alert is different from the first audio alert.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rechargeable medical implant system for sacral stimulation therapy, the system comprising: 
 an implantable neurostimulator device comprising:
 a rechargeable power source for powering the implantable medical device while implanted within the patient; 
 a pulse generator configured to generate one or more non-ablative stimulation pulses to a nerve to treat the patient; and 
 an antenna assembly configured to facilitate wireless communication with an external charger device to facilitate wireless recharging; 
 a wireless power receiving unit coupled with the rechargeable power source and having a secondary recharging coil for wirelessly coupling with the external charger device for recharging of the rechargeable power source; and 
 an external portable charger device comprising: 
 a rechargeable battery for powering the external portable charger device during recharging of the implantable neurostimulator device; 
 a wireless power transmitting unit coupled with the rechargeable battery and a primary recharging coil that is configured to magnetically couple with the secondary recharging coil of the wireless power receiving unit of the implantable neurostimulator device so as to recharge the rechargeable power source; 
 an outer housing dimensioned to be held by the patient to facilitate handling and positioning of the external portable charger device by the patient; 
 an on/off button disposed on the outer housing; 
 an indicator light that indicates a status of the charger battery disposed on the outer housing; and 
 
   an audio transducer operably coupled with associated circuitry configured to provide audio feedback to assist the patient in recharging the neurostimulator device; 
 wherein the audio feedback comprises: 
 a first audio alert to indicate that the external charger device is aligned and that coupling between the wireless transmitting unit and the wireless receiving unit has occurred; and 
 a second audio alert that indicates that the implantable neurostimulator device is fully charged, wherein the second audio alert is different from the first audio alert. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first audio alert comprises a series of rising tones. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first audio alert further comprises a long tone. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second audio alert is a series of rising tones. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the audio feedback further comprises a third alert during positioning the implantable neurostimulator device before wireless coupling occurs. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the third alert comprises repeating short beeps. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to automatically end charging when the battery of the implanted neurostimulator device is fully charged. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable charger device has a generally rounded shape with one flattened side so as to facilitate handling and/or orienting of the portable charger device by the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the wherein the portable charger device has a generally teardrop shape that tapers into the flattened side. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable charger device is shaped and dimensioned to be held by a single hand of the patient to facilitate manual placement and positioning of the portable charging device on the patient for recharging. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the portable charger device has a planar underside for placement against the patient and a planar outer side that faces away from the patient during recharging. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the portable charger device comprises an indicator graphic on the planar underside to visually represent a target alignment of the portable charging device relative the implanted neurostimulator device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a carrier device configured to releasably support the portable charger device while aligned with the implanted medical device during recharging.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the carrier device comprises a belt formed of a stretchable material. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the belt includes a corresponding coupling feature on opposing end portions, wherein the coupling features interface and are adjustable to allow the patient to adjust the belt to a mid-section of the patient to maintain the portable charger device in alignment with the neurostimulator device for recharging. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a recharging dock for the external portable charger device, wherein the recharging dock has a depression for receiving the portable charger device to facilitate wireless recharging of the portable charger device.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the portable charger device has a generally rounded shape with one flattened side configured to facilitate handling and/or positioning of the portable charger device by the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the depression in the recharging dock has a shape corresponding that corresponds to the shape of the portable charger device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable neurostimulator device is configured to stimulate the sacral nerve and to be implanted in an upper buttock region. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable charger device is configured for recharging the implantable neurostimulator device when the implantable neurostimulator device is implanted at depths greater than 2 cm.