Multiple channel nerve stimulator with channel isolation
First Claim
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1. A multiple channel stimulator for applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal, said stimulator comprising:
- a single power supply;
at least two channel circuits, coupled to said power supply, for applying electrical impulses to a nerve of a mammal in order to stimulate said nerve;
and control means, coupled to said channel circuits, for selectively activating a particular channel circuit to stimulate the nerve associated with that channel circuit, wherein said control means further includes switching means for reducing the resistance in said active channel circuit such that any leakage current to said inactive channels is minimized.
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Abstract
A multiple channel stimulator for applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal using a single power supply to drive a plurality of channels which are selectively activated to apply electrical impulses to nerve trunks through cuff electrodes. As a channel is activated, an isolation resistor in that channel is shorted out, providing a path of low resistance in that channel compared to the other channels, insuring that any leakage current or cross currents between channels is minimized, whereby improving the performance of the stimulator.
320 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A multiple channel stimulator for applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal, said stimulator comprising:
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a single power supply; at least two channel circuits, coupled to said power supply, for applying electrical impulses to a nerve of a mammal in order to stimulate said nerve; and control means, coupled to said channel circuits, for selectively activating a particular channel circuit to stimulate the nerve associated with that channel circuit, wherein said control means further includes switching means for reducing the resistance in said active channel circuit such that any leakage current to said inactive channels is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A multiple channel stimulator for applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal, said stimulator comprising:
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a single power supply; a plurality of channels, each connected to said power supply, for selectively applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal in order to stimulate said nerve; a plurality of cuff electrodes, each having an anode and a cathode, coupled to each channel and adapted to contact the nerve associated with said channel; and control means, coupled to said plurality of channels, for selectively activating a particular channel to stimulate the nerve associated with that channel, wherein said control means further includes first switching means for coupling said anode associated with said selected channel to ground to provide a path of zero resistance, whereby leakage current between said selected channel and other channels is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A multiple channel stimulator for applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal, said stimulator comprising:
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a single power supply; a plurality of channels, each connected to said power supply by an isolation resistor, for selectively applying electrical impulses to nerves of a mammal in order to stimulate said nerve; a plurality of cuff electrodes, each having an anode and a cathode, coupled to each channel and adapted to contact the nerve associated with said channel; and control means, coupled to said plurality of channels, for selectively activating a particular channel to stimulate the nerve associated with that channel, wherein said control means further includes first switching means for coupling said anode associated with said selected channel directly to said power supply and bypassing said isolation resistor, whereby any leakage current between said selected channel and other channels is minimized. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification