VARIABLE VOLTAGE COMPLIANCE FOR CURRENT OUTPUT GENERATOR

• US 20080015657A1
• Filed: 07/13/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Haefner, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3615 Intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36521 the parameter being derived from measurement of an electrical impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3706 Pacemaker parameters stimulation threshold A61N1/371

Abstract

A system for providing stimulation current in implantable medical devices is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus including a power supply terminal adapted to be connected to a power supply. The apparatus embodiment also includes circuitry connected to the power supply terminal and adapted to detect a parameter dependent on tissue/electrode impedance. The apparatus embodiment further includes a current output pulse generator adapted to deliver electrical therapy. The current generator includes an adjustable compliance voltage source connected to the power supply terminal. The compliance voltage source has a programmable amplitude and is adapted to provide different potentials for different tissue/electrode interface impedances. According to various embodiments, the apparatus embodiment also includes at least one stimulating electrode, and the current generator is adapted to deliver electrical therapy using the electrode. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a power supply terminal adapted to be connected to a power supply;

circuitry connected to the power supply terminal and adapted to detect a parameter dependent on tissue/electrode impedance; and

a current output pulse generator adapted to deliver electrical therapy, the generator including an adjustable compliance voltage source connected to the power supply terminal, the compliance voltage source having a programmable amplitude and adapted to provide different potentials for different tissue/electrode interface impedances.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is adjusted using an electronic feedback loop to maintain a fixed voltage differential between the compliance voltage and a load voltage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is adjusted using a look-up table that includes a detected tissue/electrode interface impedance and a desired level of stimulation current.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is adjusted using an external device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the external device adjusts the voltage source using a detected tissue/electrode interface impedance and a desired level of stimulation current.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is adjusted using an advanced patient management system (APM).

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the APM adjusts the voltage source using a detected tissue/electrode interface impedance and a desired level of stimulation current.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a power supply;

circuitry adapted to detect a tissue/electrode impedance and further adapted to be connected to the power supply; and

a current output pulse generator adapted to deliver electrical therapy, the generator including an adjustable compliance voltage source connected to the power supply, the compliance voltage source having a programmable amplitude and adapted to provide different potentials for different tissue/electrode interface impedances.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the voltage source is adjustable over a range from 1V to 100V.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein values of tissue/electrode interface impedance include a range of impedance values from 100Ω

to 2 kΩ

.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current output pulse generator is adapted to deliver electrical current over a range from 5 μ

A to 10 mA.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one stimulating electrode, wherein the current output pulse generator is adapted to deliver electrical therapy using the at least one electrode.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrical therapy includes cardiac rhythm management therapy.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrical therapy includes neural stimulation therapy.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the neural stimulation therapy includes vagal stimulation therapy.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one stimulating electrode includes a transvascular electrode.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one stimulating electrode includes nerve cuff electrode.

18. A system, comprising:

means for applying neural stimulation using a current output pulse generator having an adjustable compliance voltage source;

means for detecting a tissue/electrode interface impedance or a parameter dependent on the tissue/electrode interface impedance; and

means for adjusting the level of the voltage source connected to the detecting means and the stimulating means.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the voltage source includes means for adjusting the voltage source based on a programmed amplitude of the current pulse generator.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the voltage source includes means for adjusting the voltage source based on detected tissue/electrode interface impedance.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for adjusting the voltage source includes means for adjusting the voltage source based on programmed amplitude of the current source and detected tissue/electrode interface impedance.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is fully implantable.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the stimulating means and detecting means are implantable.

24. The system of claim 18, further comprising an enclosure adapted to house the stimulating means, detecting means and adjusting means.

25. The system of claim 18, further comprising an enclosure adapted to house the stimulating means and detecting means.

26. A method, comprising:

forming circuitry adapted to detect a parameter dependent on tissue/electrode impedance; and

forming a current output pulse generator adapted to deliver electrical therapy, the generator including a compliance voltage source having a programmable amplitude and adapted to provide different potentials for different tissue/electrode interface impedances.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein forming a current output pulse generator includes the forming the voltage source to be adjusted using an electronic feedback loop to maintain a fixed voltage differential between the compliance voltage and a load voltage.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein forming a current output pulse generator includes the forming the voltage source to be adjusted using a look-up table that includes a detected tissue/electrode interface impedance and a desired level of stimulation current.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein forming a current output pulse generator includes the forming the voltage source to be adjusted using an external device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the programmer adjusts the voltage source using the parameter and a desired level of stimulation current.

31. A method, comprising:

applying electrical stimulation therapy using a current output pulse generator having an adjustable compliance voltage source;

detecting a parameter dependent on tissue/electrode interface impedance; and

adjusting the level of the voltage source based on the detected parameter.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein applying electrical stimulation therapy includes applying neural stimulation therapy.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein applying neural stimulation therapy includes applying vagal nerve stimulation therapy.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

adjusting the voltage source based on a programmed amplitude of the current pulse generator.