MEMs switching circuit and method for an implantable medical device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:
- a first circuit adapted to perform a first function;
a second circuit adapted to perform a second function; and
a switching circuit coupled to the first and second circuits to selectively electrically couple the first circuit to the second circuit, the switching circuit comprising at least one Micro-Electrical-Mechanical System (MEMs).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved switching system for use with an implantable medical device (IMD) is described. The system utilizes Micro-Electrical-Mechanical system (MEMs) switches in place of one or more switches formerly implemented using transistor networks. Any type of switching circuit used within an IMD may be implemented using this technology. For example, MEMs switches may be utilized in a circuit for selectably delivering electrical stimulation to a patient, and/or in a circuit for providing surge protection. The fabrication of the MEMs switches may be performed using one or more separate tubs or wells on a silicon substrate to isolate switching circuitry from other IMD circuitry.
-
Citations
41 Claims
-
1. An implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:
-
a first circuit adapted to perform a first function;
a second circuit adapted to perform a second function; and
a switching circuit coupled to the first and second circuits to selectively electrically couple the first circuit to the second circuit, the switching circuit comprising at least one Micro-Electrical-Mechanical System (MEMs). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An implantable medical device (IMD), comprising
a first circuit that is capable of providing electrical stimulation to a patient; - and
a switching circuit coupled to the first circuit to selectively allow the electrical stimulation to be provided to the patient, the switching circuit comprising a Micro-Electrical-Mechanical system (MEMs). - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- and
-
27. A method of controlling delivery of electrical stimulation to a body, comprising:
-
a.) generating a stimulation signal; and
b.) utilizing a Micro-Electrical-Mechanical system (MEMs) switch to control delivery of the stimulation signal to the body. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
detecting an electrical disturbance; and
utilizing a MEMs switch to manage the electrical disturbance.
-
-
35. A method of operating an implantable medical device, comprising:
-
(a) providing a first circuit adapted to perform a first function;
(b) providing a second circuit adapted to perform a second function; and
(c) utilizing at least one Micro-Electrical-Mechanical System (MEMs) to selectively electrically couple the first and second circuits. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
-
Specification