Voltage/current control system for a human tissue stimulator
US5522865A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/03
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tissue stimulating system includes an external transmitter for transmitting a data signal to an implanted stimulator. The implanted stimulator includes a processor for generating stimulation signals for application to a plurality of tissue stimulating electrodes through respective isolated output channels. The implanted stimulator also includes a power supply that extracts a raw power signal from the data signal. A voltage downconverter generates at least four separate voltages from the extracted raw power signal by alternately connecting at least four capacitors in series across the raw power signal, thereby providing at least four output voltages, and then connecting the capacitors in parallel to transfer the charge stored thereon to a storage capacitor, which serves as the power source for portions of the stimulator. A selected one of the output voltages from the voltage downconverter is applied to an isolated refresh voltage capacitor in each output channel, where it controls a voltage controlled current source. The processor selectively monitors the electrodes and/or voltages generated in the stimulator and generates status indicating/measurement signals for transmission to …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.