RADIATION-BASED TIMER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device comprising:
- a radiation-based timer that includes;
a radiation source that emits radiation particles during radioactive decay;
at least one radiation detection element capable of detecting radiation particles; and
a counter that tracks a number of radiation particles detected by the at least one radiation detection element,wherein the radiation-based timer generates a timer signal upon the number of detected radiation particles exceeding a threshold value; and
at least one other component that uses the timer signal to perform a function.
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Abstract
A radiation-based timer for use in an implantable medical device (IMD) includes a radiation source and a radiation detection circuit. The radiation source emits radiation particles during a process referred to as radioactive decay. The radiation detection circuit detects the radiation particles emitted during the decay process and tracks the number of radiation particles detected. When the number of radiation particles detected reaches a threshold value, a timer signal is generated. In this manner, the radiation-based timer generates a timer signal as a function of the radioactive decay of the radiation source. The timer signal may be used by one or more components of the IMD for any of a number of functions, including as a wakeup trigger for a communications and/or a sensor event.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a radiation-based timer that includes; a radiation source that emits radiation particles during radioactive decay; at least one radiation detection element capable of detecting radiation particles; and a counter that tracks a number of radiation particles detected by the at least one radiation detection element, wherein the radiation-based timer generates a timer signal upon the number of detected radiation particles exceeding a threshold value; and at least one other component that uses the timer signal to perform a function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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detecting, with at least one radiation detection element, radiation particles emitted from a radiation source of a radiation-based timer during radioactive decay; tracking a number of radiation particles detected by the at least one radiation detection element; and generating a timer signal upon the number of detected radiation particles exceeding a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An implantable medical device comprising:
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means for detecting radiation particles emitted from a radiation source of a radiation-based timer during radioactive decay; means for tracking a number of radiation particles detected by the at least one radiation detection element; and means for generating a timer signal upon the number of detected radiation particles exceeding a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification