SHUNT-CURRENT REDUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR AN IMPLANTABLE THERAPY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a first therapy module comprising a housing and a signal generator enclosed within the housing, wherein the signal generator generates and delivers electrical stimulation to a first tissue site within a patient via a first electrode electrically connected to the signal generator;
a second therapy module that delivers electrical stimulation to a second tissue site within the patient;
a second electrode; and
a clamping structure that electrically connects the second electrode to the housing of the first therapy module, wherein the clamping structure reduces a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the first electrode, and wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for minimizing interference between the first and second medical devices or between the different therapy modules of a common medical device are described herein. In some examples, a medical device may include shunt-current mitigation circuitry and/or at least one clamping structure that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into a first therapy module of the medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first therapy module. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module. The second therapy module may be enclosed in a common housing with the first therapy module or may be separate, e.g., a part of a separate medical device.
110 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first therapy module comprising a housing and a signal generator enclosed within the housing, wherein the signal generator generates and delivers electrical stimulation to a first tissue site within a patient via a first electrode electrically connected to the signal generator; a second therapy module that delivers electrical stimulation to a second tissue site within the patient; a second electrode; and a clamping structure that electrically connects the second electrode to the housing of the first therapy module, wherein the clamping structure reduces a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the first electrode, and wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method comprising:
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sensing a voltage gradient via a first electrode coupled to a housing of a first therapy module via a clamping structure, wherein the voltage gradient is generated by delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module; activating the clamping structure when the sensed voltage gradient is greater than a threshold voltage value; and reducing a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via a second electrode coupled to a signal generator of the first therapy module, wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module, and wherein activating the clamping structure reduces the shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system comprising:
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means for sensing a voltage gradient via a first electrode coupled to a housing of a first therapy module via a clamping structure, wherein the voltage gradient is generated by delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module; means for activating the clamping structure when the sensed voltage gradient is greater than a threshold voltage value; and means for reducing a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via a second electrode coupled to a signal generator of the first therapy module, wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module, and wherein activating the clamping structure reduces the shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification