US 12,246,178 B2
Spinal cord stimulator
John Mansell, Gillette, WY (US)
Filed by John Mansell, Gillette, WY (US)
Filed on May 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/737,276.
Application 17/737,276 is a continuation of application No. 16/490,572, granted, now 11,351,375, previously published as PCT/US2018/020759, filed on Mar. 2, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/532,464, filed on Jul. 14, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/466,487, filed on Mar. 3, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0266018 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61N 1/36 (2006.01); A61B 8/12 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61N 1/365 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36071 (2013.01) [A61B 8/12 (2013.01); A61N 1/0551 (2013.01); A61N 1/36062 (2017.08); A61N 1/3615 (2013.01); A61N 1/36171 (2013.01); A61N 1/36175 (2013.01); A61N 1/36528 (2013.01); A61N 1/36535 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spinal cord stimulator comprising:
a pulse generator comprising electronic circuitry configured to generate output current;
at least one lead in communication with the generator and configured to extend into an epidural space of a patient's spinal column;
at least one electrode contact located proximate to a distal end of the at least one lead and configured to provide electric stimulation to a portion of the patient's spinal cord;
at least one ultrasonic sensor located along the at least one lead configured to provide information concerning a distance between the at least one lead and a surface of the patient's spinal cord; and
a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive the information and determine a distance between the at least one lead and a surface of the patient's spinal cord on condition-triggered intervals, wherein a calculation of the determined distance by the microcontroller consists essentially of using the information, wherein the pulse generator receives condition-triggered determined distance, wherein the pulse generator is configured to adapt to alterations in a patient's postural position and adjust the stimulation provided by the at least one electrode contact based on the condition-triggered determined distance.