Intravascular stimulation system with wireless power supply
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for artificially stimulating internal tissue of an animal, said apparatus comprising:
- a power transmitter which periodically transmits a pulse of a radio frequency signal;
a first electrode and a second electrode for implantation into the animal; and
an intravascular stimulator for implantation in a blood vessel of the animal and comprising a body, a pickup device on the body for receiving the radio frequency signal, and a stimulation signal circuit on the body and connected to the pickup device, the stimulation signal circuit having an electrical storage device, wherein the stimulation signal circuit charges the electrical storage device with electrical energy from the radio frequency signal applies a stimulation voltage pulse across the first electrode and the second electrode to stimulate the internal tissue adjacent the blood vessel.
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Abstract
An apparatus for stimulating tissue of a medical patient includes a power transmitter which periodically transmits a pulse of a radio frequency signal to a intravascular stimulator that is implanted in a vein or artery. The intravascular stimulator employs energy from the radio frequency signal to charge a storage device which serves as an electrical power supply. The intravascular stimulator also detects an electrical signal produced within the patient and responds thereto by applying a pulse of voltage from the storage device to a pair of electrodes implanted in the vascular system of the animal.
110 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for artificially stimulating internal tissue of an animal, said apparatus comprising:
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a power transmitter which periodically transmits a pulse of a radio frequency signal;
a first electrode and a second electrode for implantation into the animal; and
an intravascular stimulator for implantation in a blood vessel of the animal and comprising a body, a pickup device on the body for receiving the radio frequency signal, and a stimulation signal circuit on the body and connected to the pickup device, the stimulation signal circuit having an electrical storage device, wherein the stimulation signal circuit charges the electrical storage device with electrical energy from the radio frequency signal applies a stimulation voltage pulse across the first electrode and the second electrode to stimulate the internal tissue adjacent the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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8. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the pickup device also receives an electrical signal produced within the animal, and the discriminator distinguishes between the radio frequency signal from the power transmitter and electrical signal based on differences in their signal waveforms.
Specification