Implantable transducer devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An isotropic implantable receiver-stimulator device comprising:
- (a) an acoustic transducer assembly which receives acoustic energy from an acoustic source and converts the acoustic energy into electrical signals,(b) demodulator circuitry connected to receive the electrical signals and convert said signals to a biologically stimulating electrical output; and
(c) at least two tissue contacting stimulation electrodes which receive the stimulating electrical output and deliver said output to tissue, wherein the electric output that is produced by the isotropic implantable receiver-stimulator is substantially insensitive to the relative orientation of the receiver-stimulator to the acoustic source, wherein the transducer assembly comprises a plurality of individual transducer elements and wherein the demodulator circuitry comprises a plurality of individual demodulator circuits, with the electrical signal from each transducer element going to a demodulator circuit which produces an output, further comprising summing circuitry which sums all of the converted electrical signals from all of the demodulator circuits to produce the biologically stimulating electriclal output.
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Abstract
Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.
299 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An isotropic implantable receiver-stimulator device comprising:
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(a) an acoustic transducer assembly which receives acoustic energy from an acoustic source and converts the acoustic energy into electrical signals, (b) demodulator circuitry connected to receive the electrical signals and convert said signals to a biologically stimulating electrical output; and (c) at least two tissue contacting stimulation electrodes which receive the stimulating electrical output and deliver said output to tissue, wherein the electric output that is produced by the isotropic implantable receiver-stimulator is substantially insensitive to the relative orientation of the receiver-stimulator to the acoustic source, wherein the transducer assembly comprises a plurality of individual transducer elements and wherein the demodulator circuitry comprises a plurality of individual demodulator circuits, with the electrical signal from each transducer element going to a demodulator circuit which produces an output, further comprising summing circuitry which sums all of the converted electrical signals from all of the demodulator circuits to produce the biologically stimulating electriclal output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification