Implantable neurostimulator devices including both non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries and methods of use therewith

1. An implantable neurostimulation device, comprising:

an antenna;

an inductive coil;

a neurostimulation module that produces neurostimulation signals for delivery to target neural tissue via one or more implantable leads;

a telemetry module that wirelessly communicates with a non-implantable device using at least one of the antenna and the inductive coil;

a non-rechargeable battery that provides power to the neurostimulation module;

a rechargeable battery that provides power to the telemetry module during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery provides power to the neurostimulation module; and

a charge module that charges the rechargeable battery in dependence on power signals received from a non-implantable device via the inductive coil.

2. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the telemetry module uses the antenna to wirelessly communicate with the non-implantable device.

3. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the telemetry module uses the inductive coil to provide backup-communication with the non-implantable device or to initiate a communication session with the non-implantable device.

4. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) that receives or otherwise accesses stimulation data that defines the stimulation signals deliverable by the neurostimulation module via one or more implantable leads;

wherein the rechargeable battery provides power to the CPU when the CPU is in a low-power mode; and

wherein the non-rechargeable battery provides power to the CPU when the CPU is not in the low-power mode.

5. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor module that includes a sensor that detects at least one of motion or position;

wherein the rechargeable battery also provides power to the sensor module during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery provides power to the neurostimulation module.

6. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 5 , wherein the sensor module also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts an analog signal output by the sensor of the sensor module to a digital signal, and wherein the ADC is also powered by the rechargeable battery during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery provides power to the neurostimulation module.

7. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the charge module that charges the rechargeable battery is capable of powering other modules of the implantable neurostimulation device while receiving, via the inductive coil, a signal from the non-implantable device.

8. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein:

a volume occupied by the rechargeable battery is between 1% and 20% of a volume occupied by the non-rechargeable battery.

9. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein:

an amp-hour rating of the rechargeable battery is between 0.5% and 10% of an amp-hour rating of the non-rechargeable battery.

10. The implantable neurostimulation device of claim 1 , wherein:

the rechargeable battery is used to power one or more modules that is/are normally powered by the non-rechargeable battery, when a capacity of the non-rechargeable battery or an indicator thereof falls below a specified threshold level.

11. A method for use by an implantable neurostimulation device, comprising:

powering a neurostimulation module of the implantable neurostimulation device using a non-rechargeable battery of the implantable neurostimulation device;

powering a telemetry module of the implantable neurostimulation device using a rechargeable battery of the implantable neurostimulation device during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery is used for powering the neurostimulation module;

producing, using the neurostimulation module, neurostimulation signals for delivery to target neural tissue via one or more implantable leads coupled to the implantable neurostimulation device; and

wirelessly communicating with a non-implantable device using at least one of an antenna and an inductive coil connected to the telemetry module of the implantable neurostimulation device.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

charging the rechargeable battery based on a signal, received via the inductive coil of the implantable neurostimulation device, from the non-implantable device.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

using a central processing unit (CPU) to receive or otherwise access stimulation data that defines the neurostimulation signals deliverable by the neurostimulation module via one or more implantable leads;

powering the CPU using the rechargeable battery, when the CPU is in a low-power mode; and

powering the CPU using the non-rechargeable battery, when the CPU is not in the low-power mode.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

when a capacity of the non-rechargeable battery or an indicator thereof falls below a specified threshold level, using the rechargeable battery to power one or more modules of the implantable neurostimulation device that are normally powered by the non-rechargeable battery.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

powering a sensor module using the rechargeable battery during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery is used for powering the neurostimulation module, wherein the sensor module is used to detect at least one of motion or position.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

a volume occupied by the rechargeable battery is between 1% and 20% of a volume occupied by the non-rechargeable battery; and

an amp-hour rating of the rechargeable battery is between 0.5% and 10% of an amp-hour rating of the non-rechargeable battery.

17. A system, comprising:

an implantable neurostimulation device including

an antenna;

an inductive coil;

a neurostimulation module that produces neurostimulation signals for delivery to target neural tissue via one or more implantable leads;

a telemetry module;

a non-rechargeable battery that provides power to the neurostimulation module;

a rechargeable battery that provides power to the telemetry module during one or more periods of time that overlap with when the non-rechargeable battery provides power to the neurostimulation module; and

a charge module that charges the rechargeable battery in dependence power signals received from a non-implantable device via the inductive coil of the implantable neurostimulation device;

a non-implantable device including non-implantable antenna; and

a non-implantable device including a non-implantable inductive coil;

wherein the telemetry module of the implantable neurostimulation device uses the antenna of the implantable neurostimulation device to wirelessly communicate with the non-implantable device including the non-implantable antenna.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein:

the telemetry module of the implantable neurostimulation device uses the inductive coil of the implantable neurostimulation device to perform backup wireless communication with, or to initiate a wireless communication session with, the non-implantable device including the non-implantable inductive coil.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the non-implantable device including the non-implantable antenna and the non-implantable device including the non-implantable inductive coil comprise the same non-implantable device.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein:

a volume occupied by the rechargeable battery is between 1% and 20% of a volume occupied by the non-rechargeable battery; and

an amp-hour rating of the rechargeable battery is between 0.5% and 10% of an amp-hour rating of the non-rechargeable battery.