RECHARGEABLE SPINAL CORD STIMULATION SYSTEM

• US 20070276450A1
• Filed: 01/20/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Payne, David, Chen, Joey, Meadows, Paul, Peterson, David, Woods, Carla
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/201 for connecting a fuse in a lead and adapted to be supported by the lead alone
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/32 Indicating lamp structurally associated with the protective device

Abstract

A spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system includes multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) which channels can provide concurrent, but unique stimulation fields, permitting virtual electrodes to be realized. The SCS system includes a replenishable power source (e.g., rechargeable battery), that may be recharged using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery can be used to charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. An included bi-directional telemetry link in the system informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery. Other processing circuitry in the IPG allows electrode impedance measurements to be made. Further circuitry in the external battery charger can provide alignment detection for the coil pairs.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:

a plurality of electrode nodes implantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated;

programmable current source circuitry configured for sourcing a first one or more output currents respectively to a first one or more of the plurality of electrode nodes;

programmable current sink circuitry configured for sinking a second one or more output currents respectively from a second one or more of the plurality of electrode nodes;

control circuitry configured for programming the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry, such that the a total sum of the first one or more output currents equals a total sum of the second one or more output currents in each of one or more channels.