Multi-compliance voltage generator in a multichannel current stimulator
First Claim
1. A power supply comprising:
- a power source providing a source voltage;
means for processing the source voltage to generate an output voltage at a Vout node, wherein the output voltage varies from the source voltage;
a multiplicity of energy storage devices adapted to individually controllably receive energy from the Vout node;
a multiplicity of Vc nodes wherein the multiplicity of energy storage devices are electrically connected between the Vc nodes and ground; and
a multiplicity of switches (M5a–
M5t), each electrically connected between a Vc node and one or more stimulation channels, wherein the switches (M5a–
M5t) are adapted to selectably connect the Vc nodes to the one or more stimulation channels;
wherein the means for processing comprises a switched capacitor circuit comprising a multiplicity of switched capacitors, whereinthe multiplicity of switched capacitors are disconnectably connectable in-parallel, wherein the in-parallel multiplicity of switched capacitors are chargeable from the power source, andthe multiplicity of switched capacitors are disconnectably connectable in-series.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved multi-voltage power supply charges individual small capacitors to different voltages. Each small capacitor is assigned to a circuit, and is charged to a voltage level sufficient for the circuit. In one embodiment, an improved switching regulator includes a multiplicity of small capacitors. The small capacitors are assigned to stimulation channels of a stimulation system. Each channel has a unique compliance voltage which the assigned small capacitors are charged to. By charging the small capacitors to the corresponding compliance voltages, versus charging a single large capacitor to the maximum compliance voltage, unnecessary power dissipation is avoided. In another embodiment, a switched capacitor power supply benefits from the present invention in the same manner as the switching regulator power supply. Further, any system requiring a plurality of different voltages may benefit from the present invention.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A power supply comprising:
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a power source providing a source voltage; means for processing the source voltage to generate an output voltage at a Vout node, wherein the output voltage varies from the source voltage; a multiplicity of energy storage devices adapted to individually controllably receive energy from the Vout node; a multiplicity of Vc nodes wherein the multiplicity of energy storage devices are electrically connected between the Vc nodes and ground; and a multiplicity of switches (M5a–
M5t), each electrically connected between a Vc node and one or more stimulation channels, wherein the switches (M5a–
M5t) are adapted to selectably connect the Vc nodes to the one or more stimulation channels;wherein the means for processing comprises a switched capacitor circuit comprising a multiplicity of switched capacitors, wherein the multiplicity of switched capacitors are disconnectably connectable in-parallel, wherein the in-parallel multiplicity of switched capacitors are chargeable from the power source, and the multiplicity of switched capacitors are disconnectably connectable in-series. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An improved power supply for implantable devices, the power supply comprising:
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a battery; a control circuit; a multiplicity of switched capacitors adapted to be electrically configurable in parallel between the battery and ground and electrically configurable in series between ground and a node Vout, wherein the configuration of the switched capacitors is controlled by the control circuit; a multiplicity of small capacitors in parallel; a multiplicity of switches (M4a–
M4t) in parallel, each electrically connected individually between the node Vout and one of the small capacitors, wherein the switches (M4a–
M4t) are controlled by the control circuit;a multiplicity of Vc nodes wherein the small capacitors are electrically connected between the Vc nodes and ground; and a multiplicity of switches (M5a–
M5t), each electrically connected between a Vc node and one or more stimulation channels, wherein the switches (M5a–
M5t) are adapted to selectably connect the Vc nodes to the one or more stimulation channels.
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11. A method for providing multi-voltage power, comprising:
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providing a source voltage to a node Vs; disconnectably connecting a multiplicity of switched capacitors in parallel between the node Vs and ground; disconnectably connecting the switched capacitors in series between ground and a node Vout; and connecting a multiplicity of parallel sub-circuits between the node Vout and ground, wherein each parallel sub-circuit comprises a switch, a node Vc, and a small capacitor, wherein the small capacitor is electrically connected between the switch and ground, and the node Vc is between the switch and the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification