Implantable stimulator

Abstract

An implantable stimulator includes a tube assembly that is configured to house a number of components that are configured to apply at least one stimulus to at least one stimulation site within a patient. The tube assembly has a shape that allows the stimulator to be implanted within said patient in a pre-determined orientation. Exemplary methods of stimulating a stimulation site within a patient include applying an electrical stimulation current to a stimulation site via one or more electrodes extending along one or more sides of a stimulator. The stimulator has a shape allowing the stimulator to be implanted within the patient in a pre-determined orientation.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An implantable stimulator comprising:
 an elongate casing defining an interior cavity and including an outer surface having a generally rectangular cross-section with four rounded corners that are effective to hinder rotation of the implantable stimulator within a patient;   a plurality of discrete electrodes disposed on the outer surface of the casing;   stimulation circuitry housed in the interior cavity defined by the casing; and   at least one electrical conductor coupling the discrete electrodes to the stimulation circuitry housed in the interior cavity.   
     
     
         28 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one electrical conductor comprises a plurality of electrical conductors respectively coupling the discrete electrodes to the stimulation circuitry housed in the interior cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 28 , further comprising an electrical insulator on which at least portions of the plurality of electrical conductors are disposed. 
     
     
         30 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 29 , wherein the electrical insulator comprises an insulator film. 
     
     
         31 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 31 , wherein the outer surface of the elongate casing has asymmetric lateral sections. 
     
     
         32 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 31 , wherein the discrete electrodes are each dimensioned to occupy a portion of a long side of the generally rounded rectangular lateral sections. 
     
     
         33 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein the stimulation circuitry is adjustable to deliver electrical stimulus to a site within a patient via one or more of the discrete electrodes. 
     
     
         34 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , further comprising a feed through assembly coupled to the casing, the feed through assembly comprising a number of conductive feed throughs that electrically couple the stimulation circuitry housed within the casing to the electrodes. 
     
     
         35 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a first connecting band hermetically coupled to an end of the casing;   a second connecting band hermetically coupled to an end of the feed through assembly, wherein the first connecting band and the second connecting band are hermetically coupled to each other.   
     
     
         36 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , further comprising a battery coupled to the elongate casing, the battery configured to provide power for the stimulation circuitry housed within the casing. 
     
     
         37 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a first connecting band coupled to an end of the casing; and   a second connecting band coupled to an end of the battery, wherein the first connecting band and the second connecting band are hermetically coupled to each other.   
     
     
         38 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , further comprising an indifferent electrode for completing one or more stimulation circuits. 
     
     
         39 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein the casing comprises a material configured to allow passage of a magnetic field. 
     
     
         40 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein the casing is composed of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         41 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein the stimulation circuitry housed within the casing comprises:
 a programmable memory unit storing one or more stimulation parameters; and   electrical circuitry configured to generate an electrical stimulus.   
     
     
         42 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 41 , further comprising a sensor device for sensing at least one parameter related to a medical condition of a patient, wherein the stimulation circuitry is configured to adjust the electrical stimulus based on the one or more stimulation parameters. 
     
     
         43 . The implantable stimulator of  claim 27 , wherein a height of the implantable stimulator is equal to or less than 4.25 millimeters, a width of the implantable stimulator is equal to or less than 7.25 millimeters, and a length of the implantable stimulator is equal to or less than 28 millimeters.