Implantable wireless accoustic stimulators with high energy conversion efficiencies
First Claim
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1. An implantable receiver-stimulator for harvesting acoustic power from an acoustic field and generating electrical power, comprising:
- a sealed enclosure with an inner and outer surface;
a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components which converts the acoustic field to electrical power, each piezoelectric component defined by a thickness and a base with a width and configured with the base mounted to the inner surface;
a plurality of individual rectifiers, where each rectifier is electrically connected to a corresponding piezoelectric component of the first plurality of piezoelectric components such that the electrical power from the piezoelectric components is converted by the rectifiers arranged in a circuit assembly to a biologically stimulating electrical output; and
at least two stimulation electrodes which receive the stimulating electrical output and deliver said output to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue;
wherein the acoustic piezoelectric components are distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions such that the acoustic power is harvested efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field; and
wherein at least part of the inner surface is configured as a circuit.
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Abstract
Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable receiver-stimulator for harvesting acoustic power from an acoustic field and generating electrical power, comprising:
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a sealed enclosure with an inner and outer surface; a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components which converts the acoustic field to electrical power, each piezoelectric component defined by a thickness and a base with a width and configured with the base mounted to the inner surface; a plurality of individual rectifiers, where each rectifier is electrically connected to a corresponding piezoelectric component of the first plurality of piezoelectric components such that the electrical power from the piezoelectric components is converted by the rectifiers arranged in a circuit assembly to a biologically stimulating electrical output; and at least two stimulation electrodes which receive the stimulating electrical output and deliver said output to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue; wherein the acoustic piezoelectric components are distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions such that the acoustic power is harvested efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field; and wherein at least part of the inner surface is configured as a circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An implantable receiver-stimulator for harvesting acoustic power from an acoustic field and generating electrical power, comprising:
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a sealed enclosure with an inner and outer surface; a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components which converts the acoustic field to electrical power, each piezoelectric component defined by a thickness and a base with a width and configured with the base mounted to the inner surface; a plurality of individual rectifiers, where each rectifier is electrically connected to a corresponding piezoelectric component of the first plurality of piezoelectric components such that the electrical power from the piezoelectric components is converted by the rectifiers arranged in a circuit assembly to a biologically stimulating electrical output; and at least two stimulation electrodes which receive the stimulating electrical output and deliver said output to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue; wherein the acoustic piezoelectric components are distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions such that the acoustic power is harvested efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field; and wherein the sealed enclosure further comprises an end cap having a second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components composed of a piezoelectric material, wherein the second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components has a piezoelectric axis that is substantially perpendicular to that of the first plurality of piezoelectric components. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification