Supply circuit for implantable medical devices

• US 20070203528A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Vernon, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices

Abstract

A supply circuit for an implantable medical device (IMD) is presented. The supply circuit includes a battery, a high current circuit, a current-modifying component, a low current circuit, and a capacitor. The low current circuit is connected to a first terminal of the battery. A current-modifying component is connected to the battery, a capacitor, and to a high current circuit.

Claims

1. A supply circuit for an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:

a battery;

a low current circuit coupled to the battery;

a current-modifying component coupled to the battery;

a high current circuit coupled to the current-modifying component; and

a capacitor coupled to the current-modifying component and to the high current circuit.

2. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component being a resistor.

3. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a resistor and a switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter which includes an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal connected to the battery and the output terminal connected to the capacitor,

wherein the resistor and the switch are in parallel with the voltage converter.

4. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises a current source.

5. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a resistor connected between the battery and the capacitor; and

a switch connected in parallel with the resistor between the battery and the capacitor.

6. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a current source connected between the battery and the capacitor; and

a switch connected in parallel with the current source between the battery and the capacitor.

7. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

8. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a switch connected between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the first node.

9. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a current source and a switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

10. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a resistor and a first switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor;

a second switch connected in parallel with the resistor and the first switch between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

11. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the current-modifying component comprises:

a current source and a first switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor;

a second switch connected in parallel with the current source and the first switch between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

12. The supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the high current circuit being a pace delivery circuit.

13. A method of controlling current in a supply circuit for an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:

providing a battery;

coupling a low current circuit to the battery;

coupling a current-modifying component to the battery;

coupling a capacitor to the current-modifying component and a fixed voltage; and

coupling a high current circuit to the current-modifying component and to the capacitor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the current-modifying component being a resistor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the current modifying component being:

a resistor and a first switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor;

a second switch connected in parallel with the resistor and the first switch between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the current path from the battery to the first node being established by:

a current source and a first switch connected in series between the battery and the capacitor;

a second switch connected in parallel with the current source and the first switch between the battery and the capacitor; and

a voltage converter having an input terminal connected to the battery and an output terminal connected to the capacitor.

17. A supply circuit for an IMD comprising:

a battery;

a first circuit coupled to the battery;

a current-modifying component connected to the battery;

a capacitor connected to a current-modifying component and a fixed voltage; and

a second circuit coupled to the current-modifying component and to the capacitor.