Programmable switching device for implantable device

• US 20050245970A1
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erickson, John H., Varrichio, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,532,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3686 configured for selecting the electrode configuration on a lead A61N1/3688 takes precedence

Abstract

A device and method for generating electrical stimulation. The implantable device includes a programmable switching device or array that receives at least one pulse generator output coupled through at least one coupling capacitor. The switching device selectively connects at least one pulse generator output to a plurality of electrode terminals via at least one coupling capacitor. Electrical stimulation signals may be applied directly from the electrode terminals, or are applied through a lead or lead extension having corresponding electrodes electrically connected to the electrode terminals.

Claims

1. A device for generating electrical stimulation, the device comprising:

a pulse generator having at least one pulse generator output;

at least one coupling capacitor, each coupling capacitor electrically connected to a respective one of the at least one pulse generator outputs;

a plurality of electrode terminals; and

a programmable switching device electrically connected to each of the coupling capacitors for selectively coupling at least one pulse generator output to at least one electrode terminal, and wherein the number of electrode terminals is greater than the number of pulse generator outputs.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the number of pulse generator outputs equals two or more, and the number of electrode terminals equals four or more.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the programmable switching device comprises a plurality of solid-state switches.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the programmable switching device comprises a MEMS device.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a sensing circuit for sensing DC leakage current associated with the programmable switching device and generating a signal when a predetermined threshold is exceeded.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein each pulse generator output is connected to a plurality of selectable capacitors for providing an adjustable capacitance.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the number of plurality of electrode terminals equals y, and the programmable switching device is operable for coupling each pulse generator output to at least one and up to a combination of y electrodes.

8. The device of claim 1 comprising a plurality of coupling capacitor devices, each of said coupling capacitor devices comprising at least one coupling capacitor electrically connected to at least one pulse generator output and a plurality of electrode terminals.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the switching device is operable for switching a first pulse generator output to a first subset of the electrode terminals, and for switching a second pulse generator output to a second subset of the electrode terminals.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the switching device is a first switching device, and the device for generating electrical stimulation further comprises:

a second switching device coupled between the pulse generator output circuit and the plurality of coupling capacitors, for selectively connecting one or more of the plurality of pulse generator outputs to the plurality of coupling capacitors.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an implantable device for generating electrical stimulation, and the programmable switching device comprises:

at least one switch array connected to each of the coupling capacitors for selectively coupling at least one pulse generator output to a plurality of electrode terminals.

12. The implantable device of claim 11 wherein said pulse generator comprises an external enclosure and said switch array and said coupling capacitors are located internal to said external enclosure, said electrode terminals are located external to said external enclosure, said terminals electrically connected via wires extending through openings in said external enclosure.

13. A method of generating electrical stimulation outputs for stimulating part of a body, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of pulse generator outputs;

selectively coupling at least one of the plurality of pulse generator outputs to at least one of a plurality of electrode terminals using an implantable lead, and wherein a number of the plurality of electrode terminals is greater than a number of the plurality of pulse generator outputs; and

providing a lead for conducting a generated and selectively coupled pulse generator output from an electrode terminal to an electrode, said electrode stimulating part of a body when said pulse generator output is received.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising electrically connecting each of the plurality of pulse generator outputs to a respective one of a plurality of coupling capacitors, and wherein selectively coupling further comprises coupling at least one of the pulse generator outputs to at least one of the electrode terminals via at least one of the coupling capacitors.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the selectively coupling is performed by at least one switch array.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

sensing DC leakage current associated with the at least one switch array and generating a signal when a predetermined threshold is exceeded.

17. A method for blocking direct current output from a medical device comprising:

providing a medical device comprising at least one pulse generator output coupled to a capacitor;

providing a plurality of electrode terminals selectively couplable to the capacitor; and

conducting an output signal from said at least one pulse generator output to a selected electrode terminal of said plurality of electrode terminals via the capacitor.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

providing a controller operable for communicating with the medical device and controlling the medical device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said providing a medical device further comprises:

providing a medical device comprising an RF receiver.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said providing a medical device further comprises:

providing a medical device comprising a lead for receiving a stimulus from one or more of the plurality of electrode terminals of the implantable device and applying the stimulus to one or more electrodes on a distal end of the lead.