58 results about "Microstimulation" patented technology

The invention relates to a multielectrode probe having a silicon substrate which supports multiple conductive electrodes for deep-brain electrical stimulation or recording of neural responses. The substrate has an upper end with multiple conductive portions for bonding to lead wires, and an elongated shank extends from the upper end. The shank supports multiple spaced-apart electrodes, typically ten in number, and conductive traces electrically connect the electrodes and conductive traces. Multiple probes are combined, and supported as an array by a cylindrical alignment cylinder.

A novel system and method for restoring functional movement of a paralyzed limb(s) or a prosthetic device. Stimulating one or more muscles of a patient using an implanted neuromuscular implants and sensing the response of the stimulated muscle by the implants, wherein the sensing the response is not limited to data related to patient's movement intention, the posture, muscle extension, M-Wave and EMG. A communication and control protocol to operate the system safely and efficiently, use of forward and reverse telemetry channels having a limited bandwidth capacity, and minimizing the adverse consequences caused by errors in data transmission and intermittent loss of power to the implants. Adjusting stimulation rates and phases of the stimulator in order to achieve an efficient control of muscle force while minimizing fatigue and therefore providing for smooth movements and dynamic increase of the strength in patient's muscle contraction.

The invention discloses an implantable nerve micro-stimulation and collection remote control chip. The invention includes a brain nerve electrical stimulation and collection module, a nerve micro-stimulation and collection electrode array, an uplink wireless radio frequency communication module and a downlink wireless radio frequency communication and an energy coupling power supply module; the whole remote control device is arranged in the animal brain; the downlink wireless radio frequency communication and energy coupling power supply module receives the command which is send in from the outside, the brain nerve electrical stimulation and collection module is controlled to generate the stimulation signal and is responsible for the energy supply of the whole implantable chip remote control device by utilizing the radio frequency energy coupling principle after the analysis; the uplink wireless radio frequency communication module carries out the wireless output of the nerve electrical signal which is sent in by the brain nerve electrical stimulation and collection module; by implanting the chip in the animal brain, the invention can lead to a more compact system for collecting and controlling the physiological signals of animals, reduce the influence of the outside devices on the animals and increase the concealment and quality safety of the future practical field.

A combination, voltage converter circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to provide a voltage step up and step down conversion functions. The output voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle modulation. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, applicable to implantable devices having an existing RF coil through which primary or charging power is provided, the existing RF coil is used in a time-multiplexing scheme to provide both the receipt of the RF signal and the voltage conversion function. This minimizes the number of components needed within the device, and thus allows the device to be packaged in a smaller housing or frees up additional space within an existing housing for other circuit components. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the voltage up / down converter circuit is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) low power control circuit. Such operation allows high efficiencies over a wide range of output voltages and current loads.

The invention relates to a multielectrode probe having a silicon substrate which supports multiple conductive electrodes for deep-brain electrical stimulation or recording of neural responses. The substrate has an upper end with multiple conductive portions for bonding to lead wires, and an elongated shank extends from the upper end. The shank supports multiple spaced-apart electrodes, typically ten in number, and conductive traces electrically connect the electrodes and conductive traces. Multiple probes are combined, and supported as an array by a cylindrical alignment cylinder.

A combination, voltage converter circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to provide a voltage step up and step down conversion functions. The output voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle modulation. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, applicable to implantable devices having an existing RF coil through which primary or charging power is provided, the existing RF coil is used in a time-multiplexing scheme to provide both the receipt of the RF signal and the voltage conversion function. This minimizes the number of components needed within the device, and thus allows the device to be packaged in a smaller housing or frees up additional space within an existing housing for other circuit components. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the voltage up / down converter circuit is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) low power control circuit. Such operation allows high efficiencies over a wide range of output voltages and current loads.

Described here are stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient for treatment conditions such as dry eye. The stimulation system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a signal received from the controller and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. In some variations, the microstimulator may include a passive generation circuit configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller.

Devices and methods for locating a target site for the electrical stimulation of muscles are disclosed. The intensity of a search stimulus is varied continuously near the threshold to evoke an M-wave recorded by EMG electrodes. A feedback signal allows the clinician to judge when the threshold is sufficiently low to warrant the implantation of the stimulation electrodes at that site.

The invention relates to a microelectrode array stimulation device that can stimulate visual cortical nervous tissue and the stimulation method. The device can output electric stimulation signal alternatively through different stimulation points under action of control circuit, to stimulate visual cortical nervous tissue. The device comprises microelectrode array chip, signal path control part, stimulation signal generation part and coding part. The microelectrode array chip is constructed with a plurality of stimulation unit arrays on one base plate, each stimulation unit is corresponding to one stimulation position on visual cortical nervous tissue, and includes a plurality of ultra micro-stimulation points formed with a plurality of microelectrodes. The signal path control part selects the connection way of stimulation signal and ultra-micro stimulation point in stimulation unit and control visual cortical stimulation mode, couples stimulation signal to visual cortical nervous tissue through selected ultra-micro electrode couple. The invention can realize automatic stimulation for visual cortical nervous tissue and increase life length for stimulation electrode.

An implantable closed-loop micro-stimulation device, comprising: a wireless receiver, a wireless energy conversion and storage interface, a demodulator circuit, a modulator, a main controller, a front end sensor, and a stimulation generator. The wireless energy conversion and storage interface receives AC signal through the wireless receiver, and converts it into DC voltage to charge the battery and provide a stable operation voltage. The demodulator circuit receives a wireless control signal through the wireless receiver, and demodulates it into control data and a control clock, and outputs them to the main controller. When the main controller determines that the control data is correct, the main controller outputs the stimulation parameters to the front end sensor and the stimulation generator based on the control data and the control clock, so that the stimulation generator generates a stimulation pulse signal for applying it onto the stimulation object.

The invention relates to a pair of health earcaps with a function of physical therapy. The health earcaps comprise earcap bodies (1), a power line (3) and a power supply (4), wherein the earcap bodies (1) are respectively in a semi-closed type, and are respectively formed by overlapping an outer layer, an intermediate layer and an inner layer; the inner layers are in contact with ears of a person and are made from a light-transmitting material; the intermediate layers are printed circuit boards (PCBs) (5); the outer layers are respectively coated with a light-proof textile material or plastics; each PCB (5) is fixedly provided with paster type light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (6); a power socket (2) is formed in the lower part of each PCB (5); the power sockets (2) are connected with the power supply (4) by the power line (3); each earcap body (1) is internally provided with magnetic beads (7); after the health earcaps are powered on, the paster type LEDs (6) can give out red visible light; a magnetic field generated by the magnetic beads (7) causes microstimulation to specific acupuncture points of the ears of the person. The health earcaps enable visible light physical therapy and magnet therapy to act on the ears of the person in a combined way, and are capable of improving microcirculation of the human body and enhancing immunity of the human body, thus realizing mobile health care and physical therapy; the health earcaps are convenient to use and extremely practical.

The invention relates to a method and a device for pressure regulation and fixation of an epidural microstimulation (EMS) visual cortex neural prosthesis. The device consists of a pressure regulation plate, pressure regulation screws and a three-dimensional locating rack, wherein the pressure regulation plate can realize an interface between a microelectrode array chip and endocranium in a bone window; the pressure between a microelectrode array chip and an implanted endocranium region can be finely regulated through the pressure regulation screws; and the horizontal distance of a support and a shift port is regulated by a beam of the three-dimensional locating rack to improve effective transfer of a neuroelectricity stimulation signal in the endocranium and other nervous tissues and effectiveness of signal record. The device can effectively fix the EMS visual cortex neural prosthesis and effectively regulate the pressure between the microelectrode array chip and the endocranium, thereby ensuring accuracy, reality and stability of a microelectrode array chip stimulation signal and voltage signal record.

In one aspect, implantable wireless microstimulators are described herein. In some embodiments, a microstimulator described herein includes an energy harvesting circuit configured to receive an input signal and generate an electrical signal based on the received input signal. The microstimulator further comprises a diode rectifier in series with the energy harvesting circuit. The diode rectifier is configured to rectify the electrical signal. The energy harvesting circuit and the diode rectifier can be encapsulated within a biocompatible electrically insulating material. Additionally, in some cases, an electrical interface is exposed through the biocompatible electrically insulating material. A microstimulator described herein can also include a nerve cuff The nerve cuff can be configured to receive a monophasic neural stimulation pulse through the electrical interface of the micro stimulator. Moreover, the nerve cuff can be placed around a targeted peripheral nerve to provide a monophasic stimulation pulse to the peripheral nerve.

The invention discloses an electrode patch for treating dysmenorrhea and wearable device, and relates to the technical field of electrical stimulation treatment equipment. The electrode patch comprises an electrode carrier and a dysmenorrhea patch, the dysmenorrhea patch is arranged on the electrode carrier, the dysmenorrhea patch comprises a positive electrode plate and a plurality of negative electrode plates, the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are used for being connected with the human body to generate micro-stimulation current, one positive electrode plate and the multiple negative electrode plates form a treatment area, and the treatment area acts on the dysmenorrhea part of the human body.The present invention can be used for concentrated treatment by generating plane diffraction by micro-stimulation current, the treatment area formed by the positive electrode plate and the plurality of negative electrode plates can perform nerve interference on the nerve effect of the dysmenorrhea position, and the electrode patch has the advantages that the effective pain relieving effect is achieved, and production and manufacturing are more convenient.

An extravascular nerve cuff that is configured to hold a leadless, integral, implantable microstimulator. The nerve cuff may include a cuff body having a pocket or pouch for removably receiving the implantable device within. The nerve cuff can be secured around the nerve such that the electrodes of the device are stably positioned relative to the nerve. Furthermore, the nerve cuff drives the majority of the current from the stimulation device into the nerve, while shielding surrounding tissues from unwanted stimulation.

Leadless, implantable microstimulators for treating chronic inflammation. These devices can include a static magnetic field detector (e.g., non-Hall effect sensors / detectors, including those based on a Wiegand effect or generating pulses at a predetermined frequency range and using a detection circuit to determine the decay rate of the pulses), to trigger an emergency shut off of the microstimulator. Also described are methods and apparatuses for regulating the temperature of an implant based applied power from a charger (e.g., voltage across the charger when unloaded and when loaded by the implant) to yield a power control loop correlated with the power drawn by the implant to determine temperature of the implant. A negotiation protocol can exchange data between the charger and the implant (e.g., type of charger, type of implant, nature of the coupling between the two, etc.) to set target power control loop parameters to estimate and regulate implant temperature.

The invention discloses a massager for automatic face massage. The massager comprises a massager body, wherein a massage space is formed in the massager body, power spaces are symmetrically arranged on left and right side walls of the massage space, a drive space is formed between the power spaces, a massage device for main body massage is arranged among the drive space, the power spaces and the massage space. The massager can massage faces of people through a fixed rod, meanwhile, the fixed rod can be always attached to the face effectively by a small spring, and meanwhile, an electromagneticblock generates micro-current, so that microstimulation of the face can be effectively realized. In addition, by water supplement, compared with an existing massage instrument, the massager has higher practicability and can liberate both hands.

Devices, systems and methods for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders that include an implantable microstimulator and an external charger / controller wherein the microstimulator is configured to operate using closed-loop feedback. The feedback for the microstimulator can be electrical activity of the vagus nerve and / or heart sensed by the microstimulator. The feedback can be used to modulate the stimulation duration, intensity, frequency, on-time and off-time.

A portable, handheld device and electrodes deliver precise electrical stimulation to targeted areas around the skin of the face and eyelids to treat ocular conditions. The micro stimulation device generates microcurrent using a current generator. One or more electrodes are electrically coupled to the micro stimulation device and contact and conduct the microcurrent to the facial and / or ocular skin of a patient. The current generator is configured to generate the microcurrent at a selected one of a plurality of power levels, wherein the plurality of power levels includes: 250 microamps (μA), 500 μA, 750 μA, 1000 μA, 1250 μA, and 1500 μA. A first user input is configured for a user to select one of the plurality of power levels.

A miniaturized body electronic implant for providing artificial vision to a blind person or for other uses as neuromuscular sensors and microstimulators. The implant has a high resolution electrode array connected to a chip integrating implant stimulation and monitoring circuits, mounted on the back of the electrode array. The implant is powered by and communicates with an external unit through an inductive bi-directional link.

A system and method for delivering ocular microstimulation therapy includes one or more active electrodes near the anterior part of the eye, one or more return electrodes on the patient, and a controller configured to generate electrical signals (e.g., anodal monophasic or biphasic pulses) with defined amplitude, current density, polarity, frequency, and duty cycle. The total electrode contact area is between about 1.5 cm2 and about 4 cm2. In some methods, the stimulation can be divided into subphases or varied in ramped or randomized patterns to reduce habituation. A therapy regimen can span multiple sessions, with data structures specifying session dates and modes, and whether treatment is unilateral or bilateral. Safety features detect hazardous reductions in electrode contact area.

Methods and apparatuses for stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat inflammation including adjusting the stimulation based on one or more metric sensitive to patient response. The one or more metrics may include heart rate variability, level of T regulatory cells, particularly memory T regulatory cells, temperature, etc. Stimulation may be provided through an implantable microstimulator.

The invention relates to the technical field of smart agriculture, and discloses a smart agriculture comprehensive management system integrated with big data analysis, which is characterized in that an in-vivo physiological probe array applies micro stimulation to a key sample plant, collects a biopotential signal, extracts a stimulation response feature signature, and realizes early and accurate diagnosis of a crop stress state; taking the diagnosis result as a ground truth value, dynamically calibrating a remote sensing-physiological state mapping model, and applying the model to global remote sensing data to generate a high-precision stress diagnosis distribution diagram; generating a variable operation prescription based on the distribution map and instructing the intelligent agricultural machine to execute; after operation, the system collects a recovery phase potential signal to extract a recovery phase feature signature, and closed-loop adaptive updating is carried out on a decision model for generating a prescription. According to the method, internal physiological information of crops can be directly obtained, diagnosis hysteresis is overcome, the accuracy of large-range diagnosis is remarkably improved, a decision closed loop with learning ability is constructed, and adaptive optimization of management is realized.

A wireless multipoint patterned electrical microstimulation system is described, featuring a network of miniaturized wireless microchips designed for epicortical implantation. Each microchip includes a wireless energy harvesting module, an energy conversion module, and integrated electrodes for focal tissue stimulation. The system utilizes a wireless communication module to manage stimulation parameters such as amplitude, pulse duration, and repetition rate. The wireless energy source is an external radio-frequency source, and the microchips are sub-millimeter in size, delivering biphasic current. The communication protocol is a prescheduled, collision-free bitmap protocol with sub-millisecond latency, allowing for targeted stimulation of specific cortical areas. The system is suitable for chronic implantation in motor and sensory cortical areas of freely moving animals, such as rats, to study the effects of patterned intracortical electrical stimulation on behavior, while maintaining safety limits on wireless energy power.

Apparatus and method for treatment of a human condition and more particularly for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the human body, via an apparatus which connects to a micro-stimulation current generating device, and application of microcurrent stimulation therapy, that includes a headset device encircling the head, and connected to electrode strips (such as a one-use disposable chip-electrode array having a unique serial number or crypto code and other functionality that is used by the system to look up and deliver customized therapy to a particular patient having their own particular symptoms and medical history), which deliver the stimulation.

Stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient to treat conditions such as dry eye are described herein. The stimulation system can include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be realized by a single unit or by separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or through a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses based on signals received from the controller and apply the signals to an anatomical target via one or more electrodes. In some variations, the microstimulator includes a passive generation circuit configured to generate pulses based on a signal received from the controller.

An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator. The apparatus may include a microstimulator including a housing to encapsulate at least stimulation circuitry and a control portion including a therapy manager to control the stimulation circuitry based on at least control information.

The invention relates to an experimental method for searching key sites for inducing gait movement through intraspinal micro-stimulation. The method comprises the following steps: taking a rat which is dead within ten minutes, transecting the injured spinal cord, carrying out three-dimensional scanning-type electrical stimulation on a waist expansion area, and searching a site P where left and right telescopic legs alternately move; reserving the site P when the polarity of the stimulation signal is changed and the left leg and right leg alternating mode is induced to invert; continuously searching sites meeting the requirement and having the minimum stimulation signal threshold value near the site P, and determining the sites as key sites for inducing gait movement; normalizing the coordinates of the key sites; and repeating the steps for a plurality of rats, and counting the coordinate range of the normalized gait movement key sites. The invention provides a test method for researching the key sites of the rat electric excitation gait movement, the key sites for inducing the gait movement can be accurately found by the method, and the verification can be carried out through tests, so that the method has very important significance for scientific research and teaching in the field.