NEUROSTIMULATION APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An output stage for an auditory neurostimulation electrode that is operable to effect a plurality of stimulation and discharge intervals, the output stage comprising:
- a stimulation channel coupled to said electrode, wherein a stimulation current may flow therethrough during said stimulation intervals;
a discharge channel coupled to said electrode, wherein a discharge current may flow therethrough during said discharge intervals; and
a controller that is operable to selectively control the flow of current through said stimulation channel and said discharge channel during said stimulation and discharge intervals;
wherein one of said stimulation channel and said discharge channel couples said electrode to a voltage supply, and the other of said stimulation channel and said discharge channel couples said electrode to a reference potential node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An output stage for an auditory neurostimulation electrode and related system arrangements and methods are provided. The output stage is operable to effect a plurality of stimulation and discharge intervals, and includes a stimulation channel and a discharge channel coupled to the electrode, wherein a stimulation current and a discharge current may flow therethrough during the corresponding stimulation intervals and discharge intervals. The output stage also includes a controller that is operable to selectively control the flow of current through the stimulation channel and the discharge channel during the stimulation and discharge intervals. Further, one of the stimulation channel and the discharge channel couples the electrode to a single voltage supply, and the other of the stimulation channel and the discharge channel couples the electrode to a reference potential node. The output stage is intrinsically capable of maintaining an equilibrium of charges and does not require any complex control means to equilibrate the charges on the electrode.
102 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An output stage for an auditory neurostimulation electrode that is operable to effect a plurality of stimulation and discharge intervals, the output stage comprising:
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a stimulation channel coupled to said electrode, wherein a stimulation current may flow therethrough during said stimulation intervals; a discharge channel coupled to said electrode, wherein a discharge current may flow therethrough during said discharge intervals; and a controller that is operable to selectively control the flow of current through said stimulation channel and said discharge channel during said stimulation and discharge intervals; wherein one of said stimulation channel and said discharge channel couples said electrode to a voltage supply, and the other of said stimulation channel and said discharge channel couples said electrode to a reference potential node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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14. A method for driving an electrode for auditory neurostimulation, the method comprising:
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first transferring a stimulation current between an electrode and one of a voltage supply and a reference potential node; and second transferring a discharge current between said electrode and the other of said voltage supply and said reference potential node.
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Specification