Implanted system with dc free inputs and outputs

• US 20070270922A1
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Hochmair, Ingeborg, Zierhofer, Clemens
• Granted Patent: US 8,046,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

An implantable electronic system is described. An implantable power supply includes multiple power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and multiple power output ports for developing a detected power signal. An implantable prosthetic processing module includes multiple prosthetic processing input ports connected by wire to the power output ports for receiving the detected power signal, and multiple prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue. Each of the multiple ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential.

Claims

1. An implantable electronic system comprising:

an implantable power supply including;

i. a plurality of power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and

ii. a plurality of power output ports for developing a detected power signal; and

an implantable prosthetic processing module including;

i. a plurality of prosthetic processing input ports connected to the power output ports for receiving the detected power signal, and

ii. a plurality of prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue;

wherein each of the plurality of ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential.

2. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is in a non-hermetic, humidity resistant package.

3. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the prosthetic processing module is in a non-hermetic, humidity resistant package.

4. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the prosthetic processing input ports are connected to the power output ports by wire.

5. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of ports includes a disconnectable connector to allow wires to be easily attached to and detached from the plurality of ports.

6. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the externally generated power supply signal is a radio frequency signal.

7. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the externally generated power supply signal is developed by an implanted receiving coil.

8. An implantable electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the externally generated power supply signal contains both energy and information.

9. An implantable prosthesis system including an implantable electronic system according to any of claims 1-8.

10. An implantable prosthesis system according to claim 9, wherein the system is a cochlear prosthesis system.

11. An implantable prosthesis system according to claim 9, wherein the system is a retinal prosthesis system.

12. An implantable electronic system comprising:

a single implantable non-hermetic, humidity resistant package containing;

i. a power supply including a plurality of power input ports for receiving an externally generated power supply signal, and

ii. a prosthetic processing module including a plurality of prosthetic processing output ports for developing a prosthetic stimulation signal output for electrically stimulating target neural tissue;

wherein each of the plurality of ports is adapted to operate without developing a dc potential.

13. An implantable electronic system according to claim 12, wherein the package is a single chip package.

14. An implantable electronic system according to claim 12, wherein the externally generated power supply signal is a radio frequency signal.

15. An implantable electronic system according to claim 12, wherein the externally generated power supply signal is developed by an implanted receiving coil.

16. An implantable electronic system according to claim 12, wherein the externally generated power supply signal contains both energy and information.

17. An implantable prosthesis system including an implantable electronic system according to any of claims 12-16.

18. An implantable prosthesis system according to claim 17, wherein the system is a cochlear prosthesis system.

19. An implantable prosthesis system according to claim 18, wherein the system is a retinal prosthesis system.