Implanted Driver with Charge Balancing

• US 20090157142A1
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MicroTransponder Inc., Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: MicroTransponder Inc., Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Cauller, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US12/323,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20090157142A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A transponder includes a stimulus driver configured to discharge an electrical stimulus when a trigger signal is received. A first conducting electrode is coupled to the stimulus driver and conducts the electrical stimulus discharged by the stimulus driver. A second conducting electrode is coupled to the stimulus driver and conducts the electrical stimulus conducted by the first conducting electrode. A depolarization switch is gated by the trigger signal and connects the first conducting electrode to the second conducting electrode in response to the trigger signal.

Claims

1. A wireless transponder comprising:

a stimulus driver configured to output an electrical stimulus;

first and second conducting electrodes operatively coupled to said stimulus driver and connected to receive the electrical stimulus discharged by said stimulus driver through tissue there between;

a depolarization switch connecting said first conducting electrode to said second conducting electrode after said stimulus.

2. The transponder of claim 1 further comprising an internal resonator providing electrical energy to said stimulus driver.

3. The transponder of claim 1, further comprising a delay. wherein said delay is connected to said depolarization switch.

4. The transponder of claim 1 wherein said electrical stimulus is monophasic.

5. The transponder of claim 1, wherein said depolarization switch is a bipolar junction transistor.

6. The wireless transponder system comprising:

an external resonator;

an internal resonator receiving resonant energy from said external resonator;

a depolarizing driver connected to said internal resonator; and

biocompatible electrodes connected to said depolarizing driver;

wherein said depolarizing driver provides a voltage between said biocompatible electrodes and subsequently shorts said electrodes.

7. The wireless transponder system of claim 6 wherein said depolarizing driver includes a depolarization switch connected between the electrodes.

8. The wireless transponder system of claim 6, wherein said biocompatible electrodes are placed proximate to living tissue such that the living tissue is stimulated when there is a voltage between the biocompatible electrodes.

9. The wireless transponder system of claim 8, wherein said living tissue is neural tissue.

10. The wireless transponder system of claim 9, wherein said wireless transponder system is used to treat chronic pain.

11. The wireless transponder system of claim 6, further comprising a control component connected to said external resonator and providing control signals to said external resonator.

12. The wireless transponder system of claim 11 wherein said control component receives data signals from said external resonator.

13. The wireless transponder system of claim 6 wherein said resonant energy resonates at a radio frequency.

14. A depolarizing driver comprising:

a voltage source;

a stimulation switch connecting said voltage source to a first biocompatible electrode and a second biocompatible electrode; and

a depolarizing switch connecting said first biocompatible electrode to said second biocompatible electrode at a time relative to the connection of said stimulation switch.

15. The depolarizing driver of claim 14, wherein said stimulation switch closes before said depolarizing switch closes.

16. The depolarizing driver of claim 14, wherein said depolarizing switch closes before said stimulation switch closes.

17. The depolarizing driver of claim 14, wherein said voltage source is oscillatory.

18. The depolarizing driver of claim 14 wherein said stimulation switch comprise a first switch having a base and emitter and a second switch having a base and an emitter and wherein said base of said first switch is connected to said emitter of said second switch and said base of said second switch is connected to said emitter of said first switch.

19. The depolarizing driver of claim 18, wherein said first electrode is connected to a source of said second switch.

20. The depolarizing driver of claim 14, wherein said voltage source is rectified.

21-28. -28. (canceled)