An implantable neural stimulator suitable for human trunk

Abstract

The present invention provides an implantable neurostimulator suitable for the human torso, belonging to the technical field of medical devices, comprising: a uniform cylindrical shell component, with a circuit board arranged inside; a concave top cover body, connected in parallel to one side of the shell component, the top cover body and the shell component together constitute a flat structure; an electrode connector, a wireless charging coil, and an antenna are arranged in the top cover body along the length direction of the shell component. The implantable neurostimulator of the present invention is a flat structure formed by the shell component and the top cover body, so that it is suitable for implantation in the torso of the human body, and the electrode connector, the wireless charging coil, and the antenna are arranged in the top cover body along the length direction of the shell component to minimize the thickness of the neurostimulator and avoid it from protruding too much in the human body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to an implantable neural stimulator suitable for a human trunk. Background Art

[0002] Implantable neurostimulators are implanted in different locations in the human body to send electrical pulse signals to specific tissues in the body, thereby treating or improving the symptoms of related diseases. It is a reversible neuroregulation method.

[0003] At present, the fields of neuromodulation application using implantable neurostimulators mainly include deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), spinal nerve stimulation (SCS), sacral nerve stimulation (SNM), and tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). The diseases treated include: Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, pain, urinary retention, etc.

[0004] Implanting a neurostimulator will inevitably cause harm to the patient. Miniaturizing the neurostimulator according to the different parts of the human body where it is implanted can reduce the harm of the implantation surgery to the patient, reduce the difficulty of the surgery, and improve the aesthetics. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect that the implantable neurostimulator in the prior art is not miniaturized according to different implantation positions in the human body, thereby providing an implantable neurostimulator suitable for the human trunk.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an implantable neural stimulator suitable for human trunk, comprising:

[0007] A housing component in a uniform cylindrical shape, with a circuit board arranged inside;

[0008] A concave top cover body is connected in parallel to one side of the shell component, and the top cover body and the shell component together form a flat structure;

[0009] An electrode connector, a wireless charging coil and an antenna are arranged in the top cover body parallel to the length direction of the shell component.

[0010] Optionally, a central axis of the wireless charging coil is arranged perpendicular to a flat surface of a flat structure formed by the top cover body and the shell component.

[0011] Optionally, the connection channel of the electrode connector is arranged parallel to the length direction of the shell component.

[0012] Optionally, the shell component includes: a shell shell, an end flange and a tail flange, and two ends of the shell shell are respectively connected to the end flange and the tail flange.

[0013] Optionally, the shell shell comprises: a plane wall and an arcuate wall, the circuit board is arranged in the shell component close to the plane wall of the shell shell, and the circuit board is arranged parallel to and spaced from the plane wall of the shell shell.

[0014] Optionally, two ends of the housing shell are provided with detachable support brackets, and the inner wall of the support bracket has a support boss for supporting the circuit board.

[0015] Optionally, the end flange and the tail flange respectively have mounting holes for mounting a feedthrough component, and the electrode connector and the wireless charging coil are electrically connected to a circuit board inside the shell component via the feedthrough component through connecting leads.

[0016] Optionally, one end of the electrode is fixed in the connecting channel of the electrode connector by snapping.

[0017] Optionally, an annular groove is provided in the connection channel of the electrode connector, and an annular flange is provided on the electrode, and the annular flange is suitable for being inserted into the annular groove.

[0018] Optionally, a suture hole is designed on the top cover body.

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. The implantable neurostimulator provided by the present invention has a flat structure composed of a uniform cylindrical shell component and a concave top cover body, so that it is suitable for implantation in the human torso. The electrode connector, wireless charging coil, and antenna are arranged in the top cover body along the length direction of the shell component to minimize the thickness of the neurostimulator and avoid it from protruding too much in the human body.

[0021] 2. In the implantable neurostimulator provided by the present invention, the central axis of the wireless charging coil is perpendicular to the flat surface of the flat structure formed by the shell part and the top cover body. When charging with the wireless charging coil, the charging device can be parallel to the flat surface, and can cooperate with the wireless charging coil for charging.

[0022] 3. The implantable neurostimulator provided by the present invention is provided with a plane wall and an arcuate wall on the shell shell. The arcuate wall can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and the tissue in the human body. The arrangement of the plane wall forms a plane in the first accommodating cavity of the shell shell for facilitating the installation of a circuit board. The circuit board is installed parallel to the plane, which makes it convenient to arrange electrical components, batteries and other components on the circuit board.

[0023] 4. In the implantable neurostimulator provided by the present invention, both ends of the circuit board are fixed in the shell shell by supporting brackets, thereby facilitating the assembly of the circuit board in the shell shell and improving the product assembly efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the implantable neural stimulator provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of an implantable neurostimulator.

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Front cross-sectional view of the middle electrode connector and electrode.

[0028] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the local three-dimensional structure of the electrode.

[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Exploded view of the shell component.

[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of the circuit board area in Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A perspective view of the middle support bracket.

[0032] Figure 8 for Figure 5 A perspective view of the middle end flange.

[0033] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Rear angled perspective view of the end flange.

[0034] Fig.10 for Figure 5 A perspective view of the mid-tail flange.

[0035] Fig.11 for Fig.10 Rear-angle perspective view of the mid-tail flange.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 1. Shell component; 2. Top cover body; 3. Electrode; 4. Electrode connector; 5. Suture hole; 6. Wireless charging coil; 7. Antenna; 8. Feed-through component; 9. Annular groove; 10. Annular flange; 11. Shell shell; 12. Plane wall; 13. Arc wall; 14. Support bracket; 15. Support boss; 16. First card platform structure; 17. Circuit board; 18. Card slot; 19. End flange; 20. Tail flange; 21. Mounting hole; 22. Step structure; 23. Battery; 24. Electrical component; 25. Second card platform structure; 26. Card slot structure; 27. Limiting rib; 28. Connector; 29. ​​Insulating ring; 30. Connecting contact; 31. Bevel coil spring; 32. Spring card slot; 33. Boss. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0042] This embodiment provides an implantable neural stimulator, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes: a shell part 1 and a top cover body 2 which is sealed and connected to the shell part 1, wherein an electrode 3 for directly stimulating the human body is inserted into an electrode connector 4 in the top cover body 2. The top cover body 2 is made of a polymer material, for example, epoxy resin casting molding. Suture holes 5 are designed on the top cover body 2 to fix the neurostimulator implanted in the human body on human tissue.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment is composed of a uniform cylindrical shell component 1 and a top cover body 2 to form a flat structure, so that it is suitable for implantation in the trunk of a human body; wherein the extension direction of the uniform column can be understood as the length direction of the neurostimulator, and an electrode connector 4, a wireless charging coil 6, and an antenna 7 are sequentially arranged in the top cover body 2 parallel to the length direction of the shell component 1 to minimize the thickness of the neurostimulator and prevent it from protruding too much in the human body. Preferably, the top cover body 2 is concave as a whole and is connected to one side and both end faces of the shell component 1.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, in the top cover body 2, the central axis of the wireless charging coil 6 is perpendicular to the flat surface of the flat structure formed by the shell part 1 and the top cover body 2. When charging with the wireless charging coil 6, the charging device can be parallel to the flat surface, and the wireless charging coil 6 can be charged in coordination. In addition, an antenna 7 is provided on the side of the wireless charging coil 6 away from the electrode connector 4, and the circuit board 17 is connected through the antenna 7 to realize information exchange between the implantable neurostimulator and external devices; specifically, Bluetooth signals can be used for interaction.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment has the connecting channel of the electrode connector 4 arranged parallel to the length direction of the shell component 1, and the top end of the electrode connector 4 extends out of the implantable neurostimulator to enable the electrode 3 to be inserted into the connecting channel of the electrode connector 4.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing component 1 is a uniform columnar shape, and has a first accommodating cavity in the housing component 1, in which a circuit board 17 is arranged. Feedthrough components 8 are respectively encapsulated at both ends of the housing component 1, and the circuit board 17 is electrically connected to the antenna 7, the wireless charging coil 6 and the electrode connector 4 through the feedthrough components 8 at both ends of the housing component 1.

[0047] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the electrode connector 4 includes a plurality of axially arranged connectors 28. Each connector 28 is separated by an insulating ring 29 to form a connection channel. Each connector 28 is used to electrically connect to each connection contact 30 of the electrode 3. Specifically, a spring clamping groove 32 for accommodating a bevel coil spring 31 is provided on the connector 28, and the connector 28 abuts and electrically connects to the connection contact 30 of the electrode 3 through the bevel coil spring 31. In the present application, the connection contact 30 of the electrode 3 is fixed in the connection channel of the electrode connector 4 by clamping. Specifically, an annular flange 10 is provided on a connection contact 30 away from the electrode end of the electrode 3, and an annular groove 9 is provided on the connector 28 located at the top end of the electrode connector 4, so that a boss 33 abutting against the annular flange 10 is formed at the bottom end of the connector 28, one end of the annular flange 10 is inserted into the annular groove 9 and abuts against the boss 33, and the other end of the annular flange 10 is clamped by the bevel coil spring 31 of the top connector 28, so that the electrode connector 4 forms an axial fixation for the electrode 3. In the present application, the end of the electrode connector 4 close to the stimulation end is called the top end, and the other end is called the bottom end for the convenience of directional description. After one end of the electrode 3 is inserted into the electrode connector 4, the stimulation contact on the other end of the electrode 3 is exposed outside the electrode connector 4, that is, outside the top cover body 2, so as to be used to stimulate human nerves.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing component 1 includes: a housing shell 11, a support bracket 14, an end flange 19 and a tail flange 20. The end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 are respectively connected to the two ends of the housing shell 11, and there are mounting holes 21 for mounting the feedthrough component 8 on the outside of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20. After the feedthrough component 8 is encapsulated in the mounting hole 21, the wireless charging coil 6, the antenna 7 and the electrode connector 4 are electrically connected to the circuit board 17 inside the housing component 1 through the feedthrough component 8 through the connecting lead wire.

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the main body of the shell shell 11 is made of metal material, for example, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc., and the shell is coated with an insulating coating, such as a paralon coating. The shell shell 11 includes: a plane wall 12 and an arc wall 13. In the implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment, the wireless charging coil 6, the antenna 7, and the electrode connector 4 are arranged on one side of the plane wall 12 of the shell shell 11. The wireless charging coil 6 and the antenna 7 are connected to the feed-through component 8 at the same end, and the electrode connector 4 is connected to the feed-through component 8 at the other end. The top cover body 2 is concave, surrounded by the two ends of the shell part 1 and one side of the plane wall 12, thereby forming a flat structure to minimize the thickness of the neurostimulator. In addition, the circuit board 17 is arranged in the first accommodating cavity of the shell part 1 close to the plane wall 12 of the shell shell 11, and the circuit board 17 is arranged parallel to the plane wall 12 of the shell shell 11. The implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and tissues in the human body through the curved wall 13 of the shell shell 11, and a plane convenient for installing the circuit board 17 is formed in the first accommodating cavity of the shell shell 11 through the plane wall 12 of the shell shell 11. The circuit board 17 is installed parallel to the plane, which makes it convenient to set components such as electrical components 24 and batteries 23 on the circuit board 17.

[0050] like Figure 6As shown, support brackets 14 are detachably provided at both ends of the shell shell 11. The support bracket 14 has an outer wall adapted to the inner wall of the shell shell 11, including a plane wall and a curved wall, which can ensure the relative fixation of the support bracket 14 and the shell shell 11 in the circumferential direction. The inner wall of the support bracket 14 has a support boss 15 for fixing and supporting the circuit board 17; specifically, the support boss 15 is a support protruding on the inner wall at the intersection of the plane wall and the curved wall of the support bracket 14. Preferably, a limiting rib 27 is also provided inside the support bracket 14. The limiting rib 27 is provided at one end of the support bracket 17 and is provided on a part of the support boss 15. Correspondingly, a card slot 18 matching the limiting rib 27 is provided on the circuit board 17. During installation, the two support brackets 14 are arranged opposite to each other with one end having the limiting rib 26 facing outward, and the limiting rib 27 is inserted into the slots 18 at both ends of the circuit board 17, so that part of the circuit board 17 is inserted into the interior of the support bracket 14, and the support boss 15 is supported on the bottom end of the part of the circuit board 17 inserted into the interior of the support bracket 14, which can improve the stable support of the circuit board 17 and further shorten the length of the neurostimulator. After the circuit board 17 is inserted into the shell shell 11, the circuit board 17 is fixed by the support brackets 14 at both ends, thereby facilitating the assembly of the circuit board 17 in the shell shell 11 and improving the product assembly efficiency. In addition, the circuit board 17 is connected to a battery 23 and an electrical component 24, and the battery 23 and the electrical component 24 are arranged side by side along the length direction of the shell component 1 to reduce the space occupied by the shell component 1.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, the support bracket 14 has a second clamping structure 25 on the outer side of one end where the limiting rib 27 is provided, and the second clamping structure 25 is used for plug-in connection with the end flange 19 or the tail flange 20; the shape of the outer wall of the second clamping structure 25 is a combination of an arc shape and a plane shape, so that when the second clamping structure 25 is inserted into the end flange 19 or the tail flange 20, the two connecting parts can be relatively fixed in the circumferential direction. The end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 have outer walls that are compatible with the inner wall of the shell shell 11, including a plane wall and an arc wall, which can ensure the relative fixation of the end flange 19, the tail flange 20 and the shell shell 11 in the circumferential direction. In addition, the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 are respectively provided with a slot structure 26 for plugging with the support bracket 14, and the second card platform structure 25 of the support bracket 14 is inserted into the slot structure 26 to plug and connect the support bracket 14 with the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20. Support boss Thus, the end flange 19, the end support bracket 14, the circuit board 17, the tail support bracket 14 and the tail flange 20 can be connected in series into a whole, which is convenient for assembly into the first accommodating cavity of the housing component 1.

[0052] like Figure 8-11 As shown, the mounting holes 21 of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 are provided with an outward step structure 22, through which the feed-through component 8 is clamped at the mounting hole 21, so that the shell shell 11 is sealed by the feed-through component 8. In addition, a first clamping platform structure 16 for clamping with the shell shell 11 is provided on the side of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 facing the support bracket 14, and the first clamping platform structure 16 is used to abut the end of the shell shell 11, so as to block the axial relative movement of the shell shell 11. In addition, after the end flange 19, the tail flange 20, the support bracket 14 and the shell shell 11 are assembled, except for the first clamping platform structure 16 of the end flange 19, the shell shell 11 can wrap the rest of the end flange 19, the tail flange 20 and the support bracket 14, so as to improve the sealing performance of the assembly as a whole. Through the above design, the housing component 1 of the implantable neurostimulator can be easily assembled or disassembled in sequence from the end flange 15 to the tail flange 16 or from the tail flange 16 to the end flange 15.

[0053] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. However, the obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An implantable neural stimulator suitable for human trunk, characterized in that: include: A housing component (1) in a uniform cylindrical shape, with a circuit board (17) arranged inside; A concave top cover body (2), the top cover body surrounding the two ends of the shell component (1) and connected in parallel to one side of the shell component (1), the top cover body (2) and the shell component (1) together forming a flat structure; An electrode connector (4), a wireless charging coil (6), and an antenna (7) are sequentially arranged in the top cover body (2) parallel to the length direction of the shell component (1); The central axis of the wireless charging coil (6) is arranged perpendicular to the flat surface of the flat structure formed by the top cover body (2) and the shell component (1); The connection channel of the electrode connector (4) is arranged parallel to the length direction of the housing component (1); The housing component (1) comprises: a housing shell (11), an end flange (19) and a tail flange (20), wherein two ends of the housing shell (11) are respectively connected to the end flange (19) and the tail flange (20); Both ends of the housing shell (11) are provided with detachable support brackets (14), and the inner wall of the support bracket (14) has a support boss (15) for supporting the circuit board (17); The end flange (19) and the tail flange (20) are respectively provided with mounting holes (21) for mounting a feedthrough component (8); the electrode connector (4) and the wireless charging coil (6) are electrically connected to a circuit board (17) inside the housing component (1) via the feedthrough component (8) through connecting leads; The end flange (19) and the tail flange (20) are provided with a first clamping platform structure for clamping with the housing shell (11) on one side facing the support bracket (14), and the support bracket (14) is provided with a second clamping platform structure (25), and the second clamping platform structure (25) is used for plug-in connection with the end flange (19) or the tail flange (20).

2. The implantable neurostimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing shell (11) comprises: a plane wall (12) and an arcuate wall (13); the circuit board (17) is arranged in the housing component (1) close to the plane wall (12) of the housing shell (11); the circuit board (17) and the plane wall (12) of the housing shell (11) are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other.

3. The implantable neurostimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the electrode (3) is fixed in the connection channel of the electrode connector (4) by snapping.

4. The implantable neural stimulator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connection channel of the electrode connector (4) is provided with an annular groove (9), and the electrode (3) is provided with an annular flange (10), and the annular flange (10) is suitable for being inserted into the annular groove (9).

5. The implantable neural stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover body (2) is provided with a suture hole (5).

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