Dual channel stimulator

• US 3,893,463 A
• Filed: 12/07/1973
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terrell M. Williams
• Original Assignee: Terrell M. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Terrell M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/422,897
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419C,419E,419G,42P,421R,422S,423 307/115 328/139 340/183,184,188CH,248D 343/723,856,858
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A body implantable stimulator having two output channels. Pulses from an external pulse generator are transmitted alternately on different carrier frequencies. An implantable receiver, including a frequency detector, separates the frequencies and applies each to a different output channel. The frequency detector is comprised totally of passive elements, and, in a preferred embodiment, the amplitude of the pulses applied to one channel may be externally regulated independently of the amplitude of the pulses applied to the other channel. Alternately, an amplitude range may be independently established for each channel and the amplitude of the pulses regulated proportionately within their range. Pulse width and repetition rate can also be independently controlled.

Claims

1. A body implantable receiver which comprises:

antenna means;

first and second passive frequency detector means connected in parallel with each other and said antenna means for resonating with said antenna means at a first and a second frequency, respectively;

dual channel output means including active output electrode means in each channel; and

means interconnecting said passive frequency detector means and said dual channel output means for isolating each output means channel from signals produced by resonance at a different one of said first and second frequencies.

2. The body implantable receiver of claim 1 wherein said first and second passive frequency detector means each comprise reactive voltage divider means.

3. The body implantable receiver of claim 2 wherein said channel isolating means comprises:

first diode means interconnecting said first frequency detector means voltage divider means and one of said output channels; and

second diode means interconnecting said second frequency detector means voltage divider means and the other of said output channels.

4. A stimulator for electrically stimulating portions of the body which comprises:

means for transmitting signals at a first and a second frequency;

antenna means for receiving said transmitted signals;

first and second passive frequency detector means connected in parallel with each other and said antenna means for resonating with said antenna means at said first and second frequency, respectively;

dual channel output means including active output electrode means in each channel; and

means interconnecting said passive frequency detector means and said dual channel output means for isolating each output means channel from signals produced by resonance at a different one of said first and second frequencies.

5. The stimulator of claim 4 wherein said first and second passive frequency detector means each comprise reactive voltage divider means.

6. The stimulator of claim 5 wherein said channel isolating means comprises:

first diode means interconnecting said first frequency detector means voltage divider means and one of said output channels; and

second diode means interconnecting said second frequency detector means voltage divider means and the other of said output channels.

7. The stimulator of claim 6 wherein said transmitting means comprises means for regulating the parameters of the signals at said first and second frequency.

8. The stimulator of claim 7 wherein said signals are pulses and the regulated parameter is pulse amplitude.

9. The stimulator of claim 8 wherein said regulating means comprises means for independently setting an amplitude range for the pulses at each frequency and means for controlling the amplitude of said pulses within said ranges.

10. The stimulator of claim 8 wherein said regulating means comprises means for independently controlling the amplitude of the pulses at each frequency.