BODY IMPLANTABLE STIMULATOR BATTERY UTILIZATION CIRCUIT

• US 3,783,877 A
• Filed: 04/26/1971
• Issued: 01/08/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David L. Bowers
• Original Assignee: David L. Bowers
• Inventors: Bowers, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/137,418
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419P,419R,418,411,404 340/407 320/45 307/64-66,53,55,80,86,87
• US Class Current: 607/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

Paralleled sets of batteries are used to supply power to an implantable electric organ stimulator stimulus signal generator. Each set has a device having the characteristics of a diode connected in series with it. The diodes have different forward voltage characteristics. One preferred set of batteries supplies current initially and the others do not deliver current unless the preferred battery is near depletion or unless there is a high current drain from the batteries. In one embodiment, a mild but perceptible physical sensation is produced to warn a patient of impending battery depletion.

Claims

1. A body implantable body organ stimulator comprising:

a. a stimulus signal generator having first and second input terminals and also having output terminals the latter of which are adapted to be connected in a circuit with an organ to be stimulated, b. a first electric source having a certain relatively high milliampere hour rating, c. a first diode means having an anode and a cathode, the anode being connected to the positive terminal of said first source, d. a second electric source having a milliampere hour rating that is less than said first source'"'"''"'"'s rating, e. a second diode means having an anode and a cathode, the anode being connected to the positive terminal of said second source and the cathodes of both of said diodes being connected together and to said first input terminal of said stimulus generator, said first diode means having a lower forward voltage drop than said second diode means, f. the negative terminal of said first source being connected to said second input terminal of said stimulus signal generator, g. a body tissue contacting electrode connected to said negative first source terminal, h. another body tissue contacting electrode connected to the negative terminal of said second source, i. the said second diode means and second source being rendered conductive when the voltage drop in the first source and diode means exceeds a predetermined value, whereupon current is conducted through body tissue.

2. A body implantable organ stimulator comprising:

a. stimulus signal generator means having operating voltage input terminals and output terminals the latter of which are adapted to be connected with an organ to be stimulated, b. a first voltage source and a first substantially unidirectionally conductive means that has a certain forward voltage drop connected in a series circuit with said first source, said series circuit being connected across said input terminals, c. a second voltage source whose voltage is nominally the same as the first source and a second substantially unidirectionally conductive means that has a different forward voltage drop than said first unidirectionally conductive means, said second conductive means being connected in a second series circuit with said second source, said second series circuit being connected across said input terminals, d. both of said unidirectionally conductive means being conductive in the same direction toward one said input terminal of said stimulus signal generator and said first voltage source supplying substantially all of the load current to said input terminals until the forward voltage drop of its circuit exceeds the forward voltage drop of said second circuit whereupon said second voltage source will supply substantially all of the load current, and e. a pair of electrodes connected respectively to corresponding polarity sides of said voltage sources and being spaced from each other and included in said second series circuit which includes said second voltage source and second unidirectionally conductive means, said spaced electrodes thereby being adapted to contact body tissue and to conduct between them for causing a perceptible body sensation when the forward voltage drop of said first series connected voltage source and first unidirectionally conductive means exceeds a predetermined value.