Independently rate-adjusting multiple channel controller for nerve stimulator transmitter

• US 4,398,537 A
• Filed: 01/19/1981
• Issued: 08/16/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Holmbo, Dwight N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/226,393
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 128/420 R, 128/422, 128/423 R, 128/421
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling

Abstract

An independently rate-adjustable multiple channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit includes a rate generating circuit (40,41,43,44) for producing asynchronous trigger signals of independently adjustable rate and width, a transmitting circuit (46,47,48,49) for generating bursts of RF energy at separate frequencies in response to the trigger signals, and a rate control circuit (50) for preventing excitation of the transmitting circuit by more than one trigger signal at a time. In the event that two or more trigger signals coincide at the transmitting circuit (46,47,48,49), the rate control circuit (50) blocks and delays the latter occurring trigger signals with only minor and insignificant effect on trigger signal rate.

Claims

1. An independently rate-adjustable multiple channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit comprising:

rate generating means for producing a plurality of trigger signals of independently adjustable rate;

transmitting means for generating pulsed bursts of RF energy at separate frequencies for each of said channels, in response to the corresponding trigger signals of said rate generating means, to be received by said implanted unit; and

means operatively connected for normally passing said trigger signals from said rate generating means to said transmitting means and operative upon coincidence of said trigger signals for preventing the overlap of said trigger signals in said transmitting means.

2. An independently rate adjustable multiple channel controller-transmitter according to claim 1 wherein said rate generating means includes means for adjusting trigger signal width for controlling the pulse width of said bursts of RF energy.

3. An independently rate adjustable multiple channel controller-transmitter according to claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes an oscillator having selectable tuning components switchable in response to trigger signals corresponding to the respective multiple channels to produce said pulsed bursts of RF energy at the corresponding frequency for the respective multiple channels.

4. An independently rate-adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit comprising:

first and second rate generating means for producing trigger signals of independently adjustable rate for each of said dual channels;

transmitting means for generating pulsed bursts of RF energy at first and second frequencies, in response to the corresponding trigger signals of said first and second rate generating means, to be received by said implanted unit; and

means operatively connected for normally passing trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means to said transmitting means and operative upon overlap of said trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means for preventing the overlap of said trigger signals in said transmitting means.

5. An independently rate-adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 4 wherein said rate generating means includes means for adjusting trigger signal width for controlling the pulse width of said bursts of RF energy.

6. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 4 wherein said transmitting means includes an oscillator having selectable tuning components switchable in response to trigger signals corresponding to the respective dual channels to produce said pulsed bursts of RF energy at the corresponding frequency for the respective channels.

7. An independently rate-adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit comprising:

first and second rate generating means for producing trigger signals of independently adjustable rate;

transmitting means for generating pulsed bursts of RF energy at first and second frequencies, in response to the corresponding trigger signals of said first and second rate generating means, to be received by said implanted unit; and

anti-overlap means operatively connected for normally passing trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means to said transmitting means and including means operative upon overlap of trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means for blocking and delaying the later starting of said overlapping trigger signals for preventing the overlap of said trigger signals for said transmitting means.

8. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 7 wherein said rate generating means includes means for adjusting trigger signal width for controlling the pulse width of said bursts of RF energy.

9. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 7 wherein said transmitting means includes an oscillator having selectable tuning components switchable in response to trigger signals corresponding to the respective dual channels to produce said pulsed bursts of RF energy at the corresponding frequency for the respective channels.

10. An independently rate-adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit comprising:

first and second rate generating means for producing trigger signals of independently adjustable rate;

transmitting means for generating pulse bursts of RF energy at first and second frequencies, in response to the corresponding trigger signals of said first and second rate generating means, to be received by said implanted unit;

first and second delay means operatively connected to the respective first and second rate generating means for selectively suspending operation of either said first or second rate generating means; and

anti-overlap means operatively connected for normally passing trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means to said transmitting means and operative upon any overlap of said trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means for preventing the overlap of said trigger signals in said transmitting means by activating the delay means corresponding to the later occurring trigger signal.

11. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 10 wherein said delay means includes a VFET operative as a switch for suspending operation of said rate generating means.

12. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 10 wherein each of said rate generating means includes an adjustable RC charging circuit, a Schmitt trigger inverter, and a VFET operatively connected as a switch between the output of said adjustable RC charging circuit and the input of said Schmitt trigger inverter, the VFET connected for control by the respective one of said delay means.

13. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 10 wherein said rate generating means includes means for adjusting trigger signal width for controlling the pulse width of said bursts of RF energy.

14. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 10 wherein said transmitting means includes an oscillator having selectable tuning components switchable in response to trigger signals corresponding to the respective dual channels to produce said pulsed bursts of RF energy at the corresponding frequency for the respective channels.

15. An independently rate-adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter for a nerve stimulator to be used in conjunction with an implanted stimulation pulse output unit comprising:

first and second rate generating means for producing rate trigger signals of independently adjustable rate;

first and second pulse shaping means operatively connected to said first and second rate generating means respectively for generating pulse trigger signals of adjustable width in response to rate trigger signals from said first and second rate generating means;

transmitting means for generating pulsed bursts of RF energy at first and second frequencies, in response to the corresponding pulse trigger signals of said first and second pulse shaping means, to be received by said implanted unit;

anti-overlap means connected to said first and second pulse shaping means, said transmitting means, and said first and second rate generating means, and operative to normally pass pulse trigger signals from said first and second pulse shaping means to said transmitting means, and to prevent overlap of said pulse trigger signals in said transmitting means, by blocking the later occurring one of overlapping pulse trigger signals;

first and second delay timing means operatively connected between said anti-overlap means and the respective said first and second rate generating means and independently activated by said anti-overlap means for producing first and second delay switching signals; and

first and second switching means operatively connected within the respective said first and second rate generating means for selectively holding said first and second rate generating means in a defined OFF condition in response to one of said first and second delay switching signals.

16. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 15 wherein said switching means comprises a VFET operatively connected as a switch for suspending operation of said rate generating means.

17. An independently rate adjustable dual channel controller-transmitter according to claim 15 wherein each of said rate generating means includes an adjustable RC charging circuit, a Schmitt trigger inverter, and a VFET operatively connected as a switch between the output of said adjustable RC charging circuit and the input of said Schmitt trigger inverter, the VFET connected for control by the respective one of said delay means.