US 11,890,474 B2
Implants using ultrasonic communication for modulating splenic nerve activity
Jose M. Carmena, Berkeley, CA (US); Michel M. Maharbiz, El Cerrito, CA (US); Ryan Neely, Berkeley, CA (US); and Joshua Kay, Berkeley, CA (US)
Assigned to IOTA BIOSCIENCES, INC., Alameda, CA (US)
Filed by IOTA BIOSCIENCES, INC., Alameda, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 19, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/389,816.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/660,109, filed on Apr. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2019/0321640 A1, Oct. 24, 2019
Int. Cl. A61B 5/24 (2021.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61N 1/372 (2006.01); A61N 1/378 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36117 (2013.01) [A61B 5/24 (2021.01); A61N 1/3606 (2013.01); A61N 1/36157 (2013.01); A61N 1/36171 (2013.01); A61N 1/36178 (2013.01); A61N 1/3787 (2013.01); A61N 1/37223 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of modulating an immune system of a subject, comprising:
receiving, at a medical device fully implanted in the subject, ultrasonic waves from an external ultrasonic transducer, wherein a trigger signal comprising instructions indicating one or more electrical pulse characteristics is encoded in the ultrasonic waves, the medical device at least partially surrounding a splenic nerve of the subject and comprising an ultrasonic transducer, a digital circuit, an energy storage circuit, and two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the splenic nerve;
converting energy from the ultrasonic waves into electrical energy;
storing the electrical energy in the energy storage circuit;
receiving, at the digital circuit, the trigger signal; and
operating the medical device to electrically stimulate the splenic nerve according to the one or more electrical pulse characteristics of the trigger signal, thereby modulating the immune system of the subject, the operating comprising:
electrically stimulating the splenic nerve, using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage circuit, by applying a first electrical pulse to the splenic nerve;
recharging the energy storage circuit during a dwell time between the first and a second electrical pulse, thereby storing additional energy in the energy storage circuit; and
electrically stimulating the splenic nerve, using the additional electrical energy stored in the energy storage circuit, by applying the second electrical pulse to the splenic nerve.