System and method of protecting transformer-driven switches from external magnetic fields
US6522920B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3718
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A protection device for use in an implantable medical device such as an ICD that communicates with an external programmer. The protection device includes one or more control blocks that inhibit gate triggers for the switching elements (IGBTs) of an H-bridge whenever the drive voltage for these switching elements falls below a pre-determined level. Each control block provides a controlled path to charge the IGBT gate when triggering is required and, importantly, when the gate drive voltage is above a predetermined threshold. The control block further prevents inadvertent or spurious triggering and protects the gate circuitry of the switching elements by providing a low impedance path between the gates and sources of the IGBTs when the latter switching elements are intended to be turned OFF. Additionally, the control blocks protect the IGBTs from over-voltage effects by clamping the output of the gate trigger with a shunt regulator circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.