An implantable neurostimulator adapted for a human extremity

By optimizing the internal structure and layout of the implantable neurostimulator, the problem of miniaturization in existing technologies has been solved, enabling convenient implantation in the limbs and improving aesthetics.

CN114288548BActive Publication Date: 2026-04-10BEIJING PINS MEDICAL +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-09-07
Publication Date
2026-04-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing implantable neurostimulators have not been miniaturized to suit different implantation locations in the human body, resulting in surgical damage and poor aesthetics.

Method used

An implantable neurostimulator suitable for human limbs has been designed. By optimizing the layout of internal components, including the parallel arrangement of cylindrical structures, wireless charging coils and electrode connectors, the overall width and thickness of the neurostimulator are reduced. The battery and electrical components are arranged side by side in the shell component. Wireless charging and electrode connectors facilitate implantation into human limbs.

Benefits of technology

It enables convenient implantation of nerve stimulators in the limbs, reducing surgical difficulty and damage, and improving aesthetics.

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Abstract

The application provides an implantable nerve stimulator suitable for human limbs, and belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and comprises: sequentially connected cylindrical end part, shell part and tail part; the shell part is internally provided with a circuit board; the end part is internally provided with a wireless charging coil, and the central axis of the wireless charging coil is parallel to the length direction of the shell part; the tail part is internally provided with an electrode connector for inserting an electrode, and the electrode connector connection channel is arranged in parallel to the length direction of the shell part; the implantable nerve stimulator of the application optimizes the layout of internal components, thereby reducing the overall width and thickness of the nerve stimulation electrode, so as to facilitate implantation in the human limb part.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to an implantable nerve stimulator suitable for human limbs. BACKGROUND

[0002] The implantable nerve stimulator is implanted in different positions of the human body to send electric pulse signals to specific tissues in the human body, thereby playing a role in treating or improving symptoms of related diseases, and is a reversible method of nerve regulation.

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

[0004] The implantable nerve stimulator inevitably causes harm to the patient, and miniaturization of the nerve stimulator according to different positions implanted in the human body can reduce the harm to the patient during implantation surgery, reduce the difficulty of surgery, and improve the aesthetics. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present application is to overcome the defect that the implantable nerve stimulator in the prior art is not miniaturized according to different positions implanted in the human body, thereby providing an implantable nerve stimulator suitable for human limbs.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an implantable nerve stimulator suitable for human limbs, comprising: end part, shell part and tail part connected in sequence to form a column shape;

[0007] The shell part is internally provided with a circuit board;

[0008] The end part is internally provided with a wireless charging coil, and the central axis of the wireless charging coil is parallel to the length direction of the shell part;

[0009] The tail part is internally provided with an electrode connector for inserting an electrode, and the central axis of the connecting channel of the electrode connector is arranged in parallel to the length direction of the shell part.

[0010] Optionally, the shell part comprises a shell, an end flange and a tail flange, and the two ends of the shell are connected with the end flange and the tail flange, respectively.

[0011] Optionally, the shell comprises a plane wall and an arc wall, the circuit board is arranged in the shell part close to the plane wall of the shell, and the circuit board is arranged in parallel and spaced apart from the plane wall of the shell.

[0012] Optionally, the two ends of the shell are provided with detachable support brackets, and inner walls of the support brackets are provided with support bosses for supporting the circuit board.

[0013] Optionally, the end flange and the tail flange are respectively provided with mounting holes for mounting feedthrough components, and the wireless charging coil and the antenna are electrically connected with the circuit board inside the shell component through connection leads via the feedthrough components.

[0014] Optionally, the end component and the tail component are made of a high polymer material.

[0015] Optionally, the end component and the tail component are made of epoxy resin injection molding.

[0016] Optionally, one end of the electrode is fixed in the connection channel of the electrode connector through clamping.

[0017] Optionally, the connection channel of the electrode connector is provided with an annular groove, and the electrode is provided with an annular flange which is adapted to be clamped into the annular groove.

[0018] Optionally, the end component and / or the tail component are designed with suture holes.

[0019] The technical scheme of the present application has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. The implantable nerve stimulator provided by the present application reduces the overall width and thickness of the nerve stimulator by optimizing the layout of internal components, thereby facilitating implantation in the limbs of the human body. Specifically, the end component, the shell component and the tail component are connected in sequence along the axial direction to form a cylinder, which facilitates placement in human tissue. In addition, the electrode connector is provided in the tail component, which allows the electrode to be parallel to the length direction of the shell component, thereby facilitating implantation in the limbs of the human body.

[0021] 2. The implantable nerve stimulator provided by the present application, by arranging the center axis of the wireless charging coil parallel to the length direction of the shell component in the end component, can install the wireless charging coil without increasing the overall diameter of the nerve stimulator. When charging through the wireless charging coil, an external device can be fitted on the limbs of the human body to cooperate with the wireless charging coil.

[0022] 3. The implantable nerve stimulator provided by the present application, by arranging the battery and the electrical components side by side on the circuit board in the shell component, can reduce the diameter of the shell component, thereby reducing the overall width and thickness of the nerve stimulator.

[0023] 4. The implantable neurostimulator provided by the present application, the housing shell is provided with a plane wall, and the circuit board is arranged in parallel close to the plane wall in the first accommodating cavity of the housing component, so that the circuit board is arranged in the first accommodating cavity, the electric elements and the battery are arranged on the circuit board, the space of the first accommodating cavity is maximally utilized, and the overall width and thickness of the neurostimulator are reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required to be used in the specific embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the implantable neurostimulator provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of Figure 1 .

[0027] Figure 3 It is a front view of the electrode connector in Figure 2 .

[0028] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the electrode in Figure 3 .

[0029] Figure 5 It is an exploded view of the housing component in Figure 2 .

[0030] Figure 6 It is an enlarged view of the circuit board area in Figure 5 .

[0031] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the support bracket.

[0032] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the end flange.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a rear angle perspective view of the end flange of Figure 8 .

[0034] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the tail flange.

[0035] Figure 11 It is a rear angle perspective view of the tail flange in Figure 10 .

[0036] Figure 12FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implantable neurostimulator.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] 1, end part; 2, shell part; 3, electrode; 4, electrode connector; 5, suture hole; 6, wireless charging coil; 7, antenna; 8, feedthrough part; 9, annular groove; 10, annular flange; 11, shell housing; 12, planar wall; 13, arc-shaped wall; 14, support bracket; 15, support boss; 16, first clamping structure; 17, circuit board; 18, clamping groove; 19, end flange; 20, tail flange; 21, mounting hole; 22, stepped structure; 23, battery; 24, electrical element; 25, tail part; 26, second clamping structure; 27, clamping groove structure; 28, connecting piece; 29, insulating ring; 30, connecting contact; 31, inclined coil spring; 32, spring clamping groove; 33, boss; 34, limiting rib. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The technical solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0040] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0043] This embodiment provides an implantable neurostimulator, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device includes an end component 1, a housing component 2, and a tail component 25. The end component 1, housing component 2, and tail component 25 are sequentially connected in one direction to form a column, facilitating the implantation of the neurostimulator into small areas such as the limbs. This direction can be referred to as the length direction of the neurostimulator. Furthermore, the outer wall surface of the column formed by the end component 1, housing component 2, and tail component 25 is preferably curved to facilitate implantation into human tissue. Additionally, to facilitate fixation of the neurostimulator in human tissue, a suture hole 5 is provided on its housing. In this embodiment, the suture hole 5 is located on the outer wall of the tail component 25. An electrode connector 4 extends from the end of the tail component 25, which is used to connect with an electrode 3 to provide nerve stimulation within the human body.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing component 2 is a uniform cylindrical shape, and the housing component 2 has a first receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity is provided with a circuit board 17, and the circuit board 17 is provided with a battery 23 and an electrical component 24 arranged side by side. The above arrangement optimizes the layout of the internal components, thereby reducing the overall width and thickness of the nerve stimulator, so as to facilitate implantation in the limbs of the human body.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the end component 1 is connected to the head of the housing component 2. The end component 1 has a second receiving cavity inside, within which a wireless charging coil 6 is disposed. The central axis of the wireless charging coil 6 is parallel to the length direction of the housing component 2. By aligning the central axis of the wireless charging coil 6 parallel to the length direction of the housing component 2, the wireless charging coil 6 can be installed without increasing the overall diameter of the neurostimulator. Furthermore, when the implantable neurostimulator is implanted along the length of the human limbs, the axial direction of the wireless charging coil 6 within the end component 1 is parallel to the length direction of the human limbs. Therefore, when charging via the wireless charging coil 6, an external device can be fitted onto the human limbs to cooperate with the wireless charging coil 6. Additionally, an antenna 7 is also disposed within the end component 1. By eccentrically arranging the wireless charging coil 6 and the housing component 2, the space created by the eccentric arrangement can be used to house the antenna 7. The antenna 7 is disposed along one side of the wireless charging coil 6. The antenna 7 can be used for signal connection with external devices, specifically via Bluetooth, to enable signal interaction between the circuit board 17 and external devices. Preferably, the antenna 7 is circumferentially bent along the outer arcuate contour of the wireless charging coil 6 and extends along the axial direction of the wireless charging coil 6.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the tail part 25 is connected to the tail of the shell part 2, and has a third accommodating cavity inside, in which an electrode connector 4 is arranged, which is arranged in parallel with the length direction of the shell part 2, and is preferably coaxially arranged with the cross-sectional centroid of the shell part 2, and is adapted to insert an electrode 3, and the stimulation point of the electrode 3 is exposed outside the tail part 25; by inserting the electrode 3 into the electrode connector 4, the electrode 3 is electrically connected with the circuit board 17, so as to stimulate the human body through the electrode 3.

[0047] As shown in the drawings, Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the electrode connector 4 comprises a plurality of axially arranged connecting pieces 28. Each connecting piece 28 is spaced by an insulating ring 29 to form a connecting channel. Each connecting piece 28 is used for electrically connecting with each connecting contact 30 of the electrode 3. Specifically, the connecting piece 28 is provided with a spring clamping groove 32 for accommodating a volute spring 31, and the connecting piece 28 is abutted and electrically connected with the connecting contact 30 of the electrode 3 through the volute spring 31. In the present application, the connecting contact 30 of the electrode 3 is fixed by clamping in the connecting channel of the electrode connector 4. Specifically, the connecting contact 30 of the electrode 3 away from the electrode end has an annular flange 10, and the connecting piece 28 at the top end of the electrode connector 4 has an annular groove 9, so as to form a boss 33 abutting against the annular flange 10 at the bottom end of the connecting piece 28, and one end of the annular flange 10 is clamped into the annular groove 9 and abuts against the boss 33, and the other end of the annular flange 10 is clamped by the volute spring 31 of the connecting piece 28 at the top end, so that the electrode connector 4 forms axial fixation of 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 vice versa, so as to describe the orientation. After one end of the electrode 3 is inserted into the electrode connector 4, a plurality of stimulation contacts on the other end of the electrode 3 are exposed outside the electrode connector 4, that is, outside the top cover body, so as to stimulate the human body.

[0048] As shown in the drawings, Figure 5 As shown, the shell part 2 comprises a shell housing 11, a support bracket 14, an end flange 19 and a tail flange 20. The end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 are connected to the two ends of the shell housing 11 respectively, and each has a mounting hole 21 for mounting the feedthrough part 8 on the outer side of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20. After the feedthrough part 8 is packaged in the mounting hole 21, the wireless charging coil 6, the antenna 7 and the electrode connector 4 are electrically connected with the circuit board 17 inside the shell part 2 through the feedthrough part 8 via the connecting lead.

[0049] As shown in the drawings, Figure 5As shown, the shell housing 11 is made of metal material, such as titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc., and is coated with an insulating coating, such as a Parylene coating. The shell housing 11 includes a planar wall 12 and an arc-shaped wall 13. The circuit board 17 is disposed in the first receiving cavity of the shell member 2 near the planar wall 12 of the shell housing 11 and is spaced apart from the planar wall 12 of the shell housing 11. The implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and the tissue in the human body through the arc-shaped wall 13 of the shell housing 11. The planar wall 12 of the shell housing 11 forms a planar surface in the first receiving cavity of the shell housing 11, which facilitates the installation of the circuit board 17. The circuit board 17 is installed on the planar surface in parallel, which facilitates the installation of the electrical components 24 and the battery 23 on the circuit board 17.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the shell member 2 includes a shell housing 11 and a shell cover 12. The shell cover 12 is detachably connected to the shell housing 11. The shell cover 12 is made of metal material, such as titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc., and is coated with an insulating coating, such as a Parylene coating. The shell cover 12 includes a planar wall 13 and an arc-shaped wall 14. The circuit board 17 is disposed in the first receiving cavity of the shell member 2 near the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 and is spaced apart from the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12. The implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and the tissue in the human body through the arc-shaped wall 14 of the shell cover 12. The planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 forms a planar surface in the first receiving cavity of the shell cover 12, which facilitates the installation of the circuit board 17. The circuit board 17 is installed on the planar surface in parallel, which facilitates the installation of the electrical components 24 and the battery 23 on the circuit board 17. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1, the shell member 2 includes a shell housing 11 and a shell cover 12. The shell cover 12 is detachably connected to the shell housing 11. The shell cover 12 is made of metal material, such as titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc., and is coated with an insulating coating, such as a Parylene coating. The shell cover 12 includes a planar wall 13 and an arc-shaped wall 14. The circuit board 17 is disposed in the first receiving cavity of the shell member 2 near the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 and is spaced apart from the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12. The implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and the tissue in the human body through the arc-shaped wall 14 of the shell cover 12. The planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 forms a planar surface in the first receiving cavity of the shell cover 12, which facilitates the installation of the circuit board 17. The circuit board 17 is installed on the planar surface in parallel, which facilitates the installation of the electrical components 24 and the battery 23 on the circuit board 17.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the shell member 2 includes a shell housing 11 and a shell cover 12. The shell cover 12 is detachably connected to the shell housing 11. The shell cover 12 is made of metal material, such as titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, etc., and is coated with an insulating coating, such as a Parylene coating. The shell cover 12 includes a planar wall 13 and an arc-shaped wall 14. The circuit board 17 is disposed in the first receiving cavity of the shell member 2 near the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 and is spaced apart from the planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12. The implantable neurostimulator provided in this embodiment can maintain smooth contact between the neurostimulator and the tissue in the human body through the arc-shaped wall 14 of the shell cover 12. The planar wall 13 of the shell cover 12 forms a planar surface in the first receiving cavity of the shell cover 12, which facilitates the installation of the circuit board 17. The circuit board 17 is installed on the planar surface in parallel, which facilitates the installation of the electrical components 24 and the battery 23 on the circuit board 17. Figure 7As shown, the support bracket 14 has a second clamping structure 26 on the outer side of the end where the limiting rib 34 is arranged, which is used for plug-in connection with the end flange 19 or the tail flange 20; the outer wall surface of the second clamping structure 26 is in the shape of a combination of arc and plane, so that when the second clamping structure 26 is inserted into the end flange 19 or the tail flange 20, the relative fixation of the two connecting parts in the circumferential direction can be ensured. The end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 have outer walls that are adapted to the inner wall of the shell 11, including plane walls and arc surface walls, which can ensure the relative fixation of the end flange 19, the tail flange 20 and the shell 11 in the circumferential direction. In addition, on the side of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 facing the support bracket 14, a clamping groove structure 27 is arranged for plug-in with the support bracket 14, and the second clamping structure 26 of the support bracket 14 is inserted into the clamping groove structure 27 to plug-in connect the support bracket 14 with the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 respectively. 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 as a whole, which is convenient for assembling into the first accommodating cavity of the shell part 2.

[0052] As shown in the drawings, Figures 8-11 As shown, the mounting hole 21 of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 has an outwardly stepped structure 22, which is used for clamping the feed-through part 8 at the mounting hole 21, so as to seal the shell 11 through the feed-through part 8. In addition, on the side of the end flange 19 and the tail flange 20 facing the support bracket 14, a first clamping structure 16 is arranged for clamping with the shell 11, which is used for abutting against the end of the shell 11, so as to block the axial relative movement of the shell 11. In addition, after the end flange 19, the tail flange 20, the support bracket 14 and the shell 11 are assembled, except for the first clamping structure 16 of the end flange 19, the shell 11 can wrap the end flange 19, the tail flange 20 and the rest of the support bracket 14, so as to improve the sealing performance of the whole assembly. Through the above design, the shell part 2 of the implantable nerve stimulator can be conveniently assembled or disassembled in the direction from the end flange 19 to the tail flange 20 or in the direction from the tail flange 20 to the end flange 19.

[0053] As shown in the drawings, Figure 12 As shown in the drawings, it is another embodiment of the implantable nerve stimulator, in which a suture hole 5 is designed on the outer wall of the end part 1 and the tail part 25, so as to further strengthen the connection with the human tissue.

[0054] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely example for clearly illustrating but not limitation to the embodiments. Based on the above description, other different forms of changes or variations can be made by those skilled in the art. Here, all the embodiments need not and can not be enumerated. The obvious changes or variations derived from the above description are still within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An implantable neurostimulator adapted for a human extremity, characterized in that, The application relates to a cylindrical end part (1), a shell part (2) and a tail part (25) which are sequentially connected to form a column, wherein the end part (1) and the tail part (25) are made of a polymer material. The shell part (2) is internally provided with a circuit board (17), and the shell part (2) comprises a shell housing (11), an end flange (19) and a tail flange (20), the end flange (19) and the tail flange (20) are respectively connected to two ends of the shell housing (11), and the outer sides of the end flange (19) and the tail flange (20) are respectively provided with mounting holes (21) for mounting feedthrough parts (8). The feedthrough parts (8) seal the shell housing (11). The shell housing (11) comprises a plane wall (12) and an arc wall (13), the circuit board (17) is arranged in a first accommodating cavity of the shell part (2) and close to the plane wall (12) of the shell housing (11), and the circuit board (17) is arranged in parallel with the plane wall (12) of the shell housing (11) with a spacing. The end part (1) is internally provided with a wireless charging coil (6), the central axis of the wireless charging coil (6) is parallel to the length direction of the shell part (2), the wireless charging coil (6) is arranged eccentrically with the shell part (2), a space offset by the eccentric arrangement is provided with an antenna (7), and the antenna (7) extends along the axial direction of the wireless charging coil (6). The end part (1) has a second accommodating cavity, and the second accommodating cavity is provided with the wireless charging coil (6). The tail part (25) internally has a third accommodating cavity, and the third accommodating cavity is provided with an electrode connector (4) for inserting an electrode (3), and the central axis of a connecting channel of the electrode connector (4) is arranged in parallel with the length direction of the shell part (2). The two ends of the shell housing (11) are provided with detachable support brackets (14), and the inner wall of the support bracket (14) is provided with a support boss (15) for supporting the circuit board (17).

2. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, wherein, The wireless charging coil (6) and the antenna (7) are electrically connected with the circuit board (17) in the shell part (2) through connecting lead wires via the feedthrough parts (8).

3. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, wherein, The end part (1) and the tail part (25) are formed by epoxy resin pouring.

4. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, wherein, One end of the electrode (3) is fixed in the connecting channel of the electrode connector (4) through clamping.

5. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, wherein, The connecting channel of the electrode connector (4) is provided with an annular groove (9), and the electrode (3) is provided with an annular flange (10) which is adapted to be clamped into the annular groove (9).

6. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 5, wherein, The end part (1) and / or the tail part (25) are designed with suture holes (5).

7. The implantable neurostimulator of claim 1, wherein, ​

Citation Information

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