MEDICAL-ELECTRONIC STIMULATOR, PARTICULARLY A CAROTID SINUS NERVE STIMULATOR WITH CONTROLLED TURN-ON AMPLITUDE RATE

• US 3,645,267 A
• Filed: 10/29/1969
• Issued: 02/29/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman R. Hagfors
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Hagfors
• Inventors: Hagfors, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US04/872,150
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419-422 328/8,9,76,77,85,90 307/293,141,141.4
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

Electronic circuitry for providing electrical stimulation signals to a selected portion of the body including circuitry for automatically gradually increasing the amplitude of only the initial output stimulating signals to a predetermined level which is maintained until turnoff.

Claims

1. In electronic circuitry for providing output electronic stimulating signals to a selected portion of the body the signals providing a plurality of pulses, the circuitry adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy, the improvement comprising:

means for gradually increasing the amplitude of the initial pulses of the output stimulating signals to a predetermined value;

energy terminal means adapted to be connected to the source of electrical energy; and

further means for connecting said means for gradually increasing the amplitude between said energy terminal means and a selected portion of the electronic circuitry.

2. The improvement of claim 1 in which said means for gradually increasing the amplitude includes:

input and output terminals for connection, respectively, to said energy terminal means and the selected portion of the electronic circuitry;

amplifier means connected between said input and output terminals and having a control terminal;

electrical time constant means; and

means connecting said time constant means to said control terminal and across said energy terminal means.

3. The improvement of claim 2 in which said electrical time constant means comprises:

resistance means and capacitance means;

means for connecting said resistance means between said control terminal and one polarity of said energy terminal means; and

means for connecting said capacitance means between said control terminal and another polarity of said energy terminal means.

4. The improvement of claim 3 in which said amplifier means comprises:

a transistor having input and output electrodes connected to said input and output terminals, and having a control electrode connected to said control terminal.

5. The improvement of claim 4 in which said transistor is connected in emitter-follower configuration.

6. In electronic pulse stimulator apparatus for providing an output train of pulses, the stimulator adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy and including pulse generator means and output amplitude control means, the improvement comprising:

energy terminal means adapted to be connected to the source of electrical energy;

means for automatically gradually increasing the amplitude of the initial pulses of the output train of pulses to a predetermined value; and

means for connecting said means for gradually increasing the amplitude between said energy terminal means and the output amplitude control means.

7. The improvement of claim 6 in which said means for gradually increasing the amplitude includes:

amplifier means connected between said energy terminal means and the output amplitude control means;

electrical time constant means;

means for connecting said time constant means across said energy terminal means; and

means connecting said time constant means to said amplifier means for the control thereof.

8. The improvement of claim 7 in which said electrical time constant means comprises:

resistance means and capacitance means connected in series across said energy terminal means; and

said capacitance means connected to said amplifier means for controlling the output thereof dependent on the electrical charge in said capacitance means.

9. The improvement of claim 8 in which said amplifier means comprises:

a transistor having input, output and control electrodes;

said input and output electrodes connected to, respectively, said energy terminal means and said output amplitude control means; and

said control electrode connected to said capacitance means.

10. The improvement of claim 9 in which said transistor is connected in emitter-follower configuration.

11. In a carotid sinus nerve stimulator for providing stimulating signals to a selected nerve fiber between being turned on and turned off, the improvement comprising:

means automatically responsive to the stimulator being turned on for gradually increasing the amplitude of the initial stimulating signals to a predetermined level maintained until the stimulator is turned off;

said means comprising time constant means connected to control the initial current flow through at least a position of the nerve stimulator; and

including energy terminal means adapted to be connected to a source of energy; and

said time constant means comprising an RC circuit connected between at least a position of the nerve stimulator and said terminal means.