Multi-electrode implantable stimulator device with a single current path decoupling capacitor
US9072904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3756
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device. Although of particular benefit when applied to microstimulators, the disclosed technique can be used with space-saving benefits in any stimulator device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.