Remote control unit for use with an implantable neural stimulator system
First Claim
1. A remote control unit for controlling an implantable neural stimulator, said implantable neural stimulator having an implantable microphone adapted to sense an externally-generated acoustic control signal, and an RF transmitter adapted to generate a radio frequency (RF) back telemetry signal, said remote control unit comprising:
- control circuitry for generating control signals in response to user inputan acoustic generator for broadcasting said control signals acoustically; and
an RF receiver circuit adapted to receive RF back telemetry signals generated by the implantable neural stimulator;
wherein the acoustic generator includes means for sending acoustic control signals to the implantable neural stimulator over a distance of at least about 45 cm, andwherein the RF receiver circuit includes means for receiving RF back telemetry signals from the implantable neural stimulator over a distance of at least about 45 cm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable neural stimulation system, such as an auditory Fully Implantable System (FIS), includes: (1) an implanted device capable of providing desired tissue or nerve stimulation; and (2) a remote control unit that provides a mechanism for readily controlling the implant device. The remote control unit uses a first signal path to send signals to the implant device, and a second signal path to receive signals from the implant device. The combination of these two signal paths provides a full-duplex channel between the remote control unit and the implant device through which appropriate control and status signals may be sent and received. In one embodiment, the first signal path comprises an audio signal path through which audio control signals, e.g., a tone sequence or a 32-bit word FSK modulated between 300 and 1200 Hz, are sent; and the second signal path comprises a RF signal path through which a BPSK, QPSK or FM modulated RF signal is received. The full-duplex channel allows operation of the remote control unit, i.e., allows signals to be successfully sent to and received from the implant device, from as far away as 45–60 cm from the implant device.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A remote control unit for controlling an implantable neural stimulator, said implantable neural stimulator having an implantable microphone adapted to sense an externally-generated acoustic control signal, and an RF transmitter adapted to generate a radio frequency (RF) back telemetry signal, said remote control unit comprising:
- control circuitry for generating control signals in response to user input
an acoustic generator for broadcasting said control signals acoustically; and an RF receiver circuit adapted to receive RF back telemetry signals generated by the implantable neural stimulator; wherein the acoustic generator includes means for sending acoustic control signals to the implantable neural stimulator over a distance of at least about 45 cm, and wherein the RF receiver circuit includes means for receiving RF back telemetry signals from the implantable neural stimulator over a distance of at least about 45 cm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- control circuitry for generating control signals in response to user input
Specification