Current Steering Neurostimulator Device with Unidirectional Current Sources
First Claim
1. An electrical stimulation apparatus, comprising:
- a power source;
a programmable switch having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the power source;
a unidirectional current source coupled to the second terminal of the switch, the unidirectional current source having a tunable current level; and
a lead conductor coupled to the second terminal of the switch and the unidirectional current source, wherein the lead conductor is operable to deliver current drawn from the unidirectional current source through an electrode contact configured for contact with a living body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a medical device that includes a neurostimulator. The neurostimulator includes one or more channels. Each channel includes a digitally-controlled switch coupled to a voltage source. The switch is in one of an “on” state and an “off” state in response to a first control signal. Each channel also includes a digitally-controlled current sink coupled to the switch. The current sink is coupled between the switch and the voltage source. The current sink draws a variable amount of electrical current in response to a second control signal. Each channel further includes a conductor coupled to the switch and the current sink. The conductor is configured to be coupled to an electrode that is operable to deliver the electrical current drawn by the current sink to a target tissue area.
15 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An electrical stimulation apparatus, comprising:
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a power source; a programmable switch having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the power source; a unidirectional current source coupled to the second terminal of the switch, the unidirectional current source having a tunable current level; and a lead conductor coupled to the second terminal of the switch and the unidirectional current source, wherein the lead conductor is operable to deliver current drawn from the unidirectional current source through an electrode contact configured for contact with a living body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A medical device, comprising:
a neurostimulator that includes one or more channels, wherein each channel includes; a digitally-controlled switch coupled to a voltage source, wherein the switch is in one of;
an “
on”
state and an “
off”
state in response to a first control signal;a digitally-controlled current sink coupled to the switch in a manner such that the switch is coupled between the current sink and the voltage source, wherein the current sink draws a variable amount of electrical current in response to a second control signal; and a conductor coupled to the switch and the current sink, wherein the conductor is configured to be coupled to an electrode that is operable to deliver the electrical current drawn by the current sink to a target tissue area. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator having different first and second channels, the first channel including a first tunable unidirectional current source, the first and second channels also including; respective first and second switches each coupled to a power supply, wherein the first current source is coupled to the power supply through the first switch; and respective first and second electrodes coupled to the first and second switches, respectively; entering a stimulation phase by; opening the first switch; closing the second switch; and tuning the first current source in a manner such that it sinks a programmable amount of electrical current; and entering a recovery phase by; closing both the first and second switches; and tuning the first current source in a manner such that it does not sink any electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrical stimulation device, comprising:
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a voltage supply means for delivering a steady voltage; a switching means for selectively opening and closing a circuit path coupled to the voltage supply means; a current sink means for sinking a programmably-adjustable amount of current, the current sink means being coupled to the voltage supply means through the switching means; and a conductor means for stimulating a living body, the conductor means being coupled to both the switching means and the current sink means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An electrical stimulation device, comprising:
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an anodic channel that includes an anode electrode coupled to a steady voltage supply; and a cathodic channel that includes a current sink that sinks a programmably-determined amount of current and a cathode electrode coupled to the current sink; wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are both implemented on a lead that is operable to carry out electrical stimulation of a neural tissue. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification