Techniques for sensing and adjusting a compliance voltage in an implantable stimulator device
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting a compliance voltage in a stimulator device, the device comprising at least one source circuit coupled to the compliance voltage, at least one sink circuit coupled to a reference voltage, and at least two electrodes, the method comprising:
- providing at least one stimulation pulse to a load between the at least two electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a source circuit and wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a sink circuit;
during the at least one stimulation pulse, measuring an output voltage across the source circuit and measuring an output voltage across the sink circuit; and
using the measured output voltages across the source circuit and the sink circuit to adjust the compliance voltage in an attempt to bring at least one of the output voltages to a suitable level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and circuitry for monitoring and adjusting a compliance voltage in an implantable stimulator devices to an optimal value that is sufficiently high to allow for proper circuit performance (i.e., sufficient current output), but low enough that power is not needlessly wasted via excessive voltage drops across the current output circuitry. The algorithm measures output voltages across the current source and sink circuitry during at least periods of actual stimulation when both the current sources and sinks are operable, and adjusts the compliance voltage so as to reduce these output voltages to within guard band values preferably indicative for operation in transistor saturation. The output voltages can additionally be monitored during periods between stimulation pulses to improve the accuracy of the measurement, and is further beneficial in that such additional measurements are not perceptible to the patient.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting a compliance voltage in a stimulator device, the device comprising at least one source circuit coupled to the compliance voltage, at least one sink circuit coupled to a reference voltage, and at least two electrodes, the method comprising:
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providing at least one stimulation pulse to a load between the at least two electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a source circuit and wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a sink circuit;
during the at least one stimulation pulse, measuring an output voltage across the source circuit and measuring an output voltage across the sink circuit; and
using the measured output voltages across the source circuit and the sink circuit to adjust the compliance voltage in an attempt to bring at least one of the output voltages to a suitable level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for adjusting a compliance voltage in a stimulator device, the device comprising at least one source circuit coupled to the compliance voltage, at least one sink circuit coupled to a ground voltage, and at least two electrodes, the method comprising:
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providing stimulation to a load between the at least two electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a source circuit and wherein at least one electrode is coupled to a sink circuit;
during stimulation, measuring an output voltage across the source circuit and measuring an output voltage across the sink circuit;
assessing the output voltages to determine whether the output voltages are within a guard band range of voltages; and
adjusting the compliance voltage to bring the output voltages within the guard band range of voltages. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A stimulator device, comprising:
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at least two electrodes for stimulating tissue, wherein the at least two electrodes are programmable to be active at a given time, wherein at least one of the active electrodes comprises a source electrode and wherein at least one of the active electrodes comprises a sink electrode;
at least one source circuit coupled to a compliance voltage and at least one sink circuit coupled to a reference voltage, wherein each source circuit is coupled to an associated source electrode via an associated first switch, and wherein each sink circuit is coupled to an associated sink electrode via an associated second switch;
voltage sensor circuitry for receiving along lines voltages indicative of an output voltage of each source or sink circuit coupled to each active source or sink electrode;
logic circuitry, for receiving an output of the voltage sensor circuitry, for determining whether the output voltages are at suitable levels; and
regulator circuitry, for receiving an output of the logic circuitry, for adjusting the compliance voltage if the determined output voltages are not at the suitable levels. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification