Stimulation waveform generator for an implantable medical device

US9149635B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Timothy J. Denison · Minneapolis, US
• Robert W. Hocken · Scottsdale, US
• Gabriela C. Molnar · Blaine, US
• Wesley A. Santa · Andover, US
• Jalpa S. Shah · Cumming, US
• Larry E. Tyler · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2012
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/3787
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This disclosure describes techniques for generating stimulation current pulses that have differing pulse shapes in a medical device. A circuit architecture is described that is configured to charge a capacitor to an initial amount of charge, modulate the amount of charge stored in the capacitor based on a control signal, and generate a stimulation current pulse that has an amplitude based on the amount charge stored in the capacitor. The circuit architecture may be configured to generate complex pulse shapes, such as, e.g., steps, ramps, bursts, and combinations thereof.