Systems and methods for precharging circuitry for pulse generation
First Claim
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1. An implantable pulse generator for generating electrical pulses for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the implantable pulse generator comprising:
- a controller for controlling operations of the implantable pulse generator;
a voltage multiplier for selectively generating a plurality of voltages;
a cathode node and an anode node;
switching circuitry for controllably connecting the cathode node and the anode node to one or more outputs of the implantable pulse generator, the anode node being coupled to the voltage multiplier;
output driver circuitry for providing constant current for respective pulses output from the implantable pulse generator, wherein the output driver circuitry comprises;
(i) a transistor disposed between the cathode node and electrical ground of the implantable pulse generator;
(ii) an operational-amplifier for providing a signal to a gate of the transistor to control a resistance of the transistor, the operational-amplifier comprising a first input and a second input, the first input of the operational amplifier receiving feedback from the transistor to limit current flow through the transistor; and
(iii) circuitry for communicating a control signal to the second input of the operational amplifier;
wherein, for generation of each stimulation pulse, the controller is operable to control the circuitry for communicating to communicate a first signal to the second input of the operational-amplifier to lower a resistance of the transistor before current is delivered to the patient by the output driver circuitry, to communicate a second signal to the second input to control an amplitude of a respective pulse during current delivery, and to temporarily cease to communicate a signal to the second input after delivery of current to the patient.
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Abstract
A low power (and lower cost) implementation for amplifier used in delivering a stimulation pulse is provided according to embodiments through use of a pre-charge period for each pulse. For example, a voltage at a variable output terminal of a digital-to-analog converter is increased on the leading edge of PULSE and INVERTCLK signals to result in an output of an operational amplifier increasing to a predetermined voltage prior to output of a stimulation pulse, according to an embodiment. A shunt path may be implemented to shunt current away from a load during the pre-charge period.
27 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An implantable pulse generator for generating electrical pulses for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the implantable pulse generator comprising:
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a controller for controlling operations of the implantable pulse generator; a voltage multiplier for selectively generating a plurality of voltages; a cathode node and an anode node; switching circuitry for controllably connecting the cathode node and the anode node to one or more outputs of the implantable pulse generator, the anode node being coupled to the voltage multiplier; output driver circuitry for providing constant current for respective pulses output from the implantable pulse generator, wherein the output driver circuitry comprises; (i) a transistor disposed between the cathode node and electrical ground of the implantable pulse generator; (ii) an operational-amplifier for providing a signal to a gate of the transistor to control a resistance of the transistor, the operational-amplifier comprising a first input and a second input, the first input of the operational amplifier receiving feedback from the transistor to limit current flow through the transistor; and (iii) circuitry for communicating a control signal to the second input of the operational amplifier; wherein, for generation of each stimulation pulse, the controller is operable to control the circuitry for communicating to communicate a first signal to the second input of the operational-amplifier to lower a resistance of the transistor before current is delivered to the patient by the output driver circuitry, to communicate a second signal to the second input to control an amplitude of a respective pulse during current delivery, and to temporarily cease to communicate a signal to the second input after delivery of current to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating an implantable pulse generator for generating electrical pulses for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the implantable pulse generator comprising:
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operating a voltage multiplier for selectively generating a plurality of voltages; operating switching circuitry for controllably connecting a cathode node and an anode node to one or more outputs of the implantable pulse generator, the anode node being coupled to the voltage multiplier; operating output driver circuitry for providing constant current for respective pulses output from the implantable pulse generator, wherein the operating the output driver circuitry comprises; (i) conducting current through a transistor disposed between the cathode node and electrical ground of the implantable pulse generator; (ii) providing a signal to a gate of the transistor by an operational-amplifier to control a resistance of the transistor, a first input of the operational amplifier receiving feedback from the transistor to limit current flow through the transistor; and (iii) for each stimulation pulse, providing a first signal to the second input of the operational-amplifier to lower a resistance of the transistor before current is delivered to the patient by the output driver circuitry, providing a second signal to the second input to control an amplitude of a respective pulse during current delivery, and temporarily ceasing to provide a signal to the second input after delivery of current to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification