Composite waveform based method and apparatus for animal tissue stimulation
First Claim
1. A medical apparatus for artificially stimulating internal soft tissue of an animal, said apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode and a second electrode for implantation into the soft tissue inside the animal; and
a stimulator connected to the first electrode and a second electrode, and in response to a control signal applying a composite voltage pulse to the first electrode and the second electrode for producing contraction of an organ of the animal, the composite voltage pulse having a first segment and a second segment contiguous with the first segment, an amplitude of the first segment being at least three times greater than an amplitude of the second segment, and wherein the first segment precedes the second segment.
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Abstract
A medical apparatus, for artificially stimulating internal tissue of an animal, applies a composite voltage pulse to a pair of electrodes implanted in the animal. The composite voltage pulse is formed by a first segment and a second segment contiguous with the first segment, both of which have generally rectangular shapes. The amplitude of the first segment is significantly greater than, e.g. at least three times, the amplitude of the second segment. However, the second segment has a significantly longer duration than the first segment, e.g. at least three times longer. Preferably the integrals of the first and second segments are substantially equal.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A medical apparatus for artificially stimulating internal soft tissue of an animal, said apparatus comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode for implantation into the soft tissue inside the animal; and a stimulator connected to the first electrode and a second electrode, and in response to a control signal applying a composite voltage pulse to the first electrode and the second electrode for producing contraction of an organ of the animal, the composite voltage pulse having a first segment and a second segment contiguous with the first segment, an amplitude of the first segment being at least three times greater than an amplitude of the second segment, and wherein the first segment precedes the second segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. A method for artificially stimulating internal soft tissue of an animal, comprising in response to a control signal applying a composite voltage pulse to a first electrode and a second electrode that are implanted into the soft tissue, the composite voltage pulse having a first segment and a second segment contiguous with and subsequent in time to the first segment, amplitude of the first segment being at least three times greater than the amplitude of the second segment, wherein the composite voltage pulse produces contraction of an organ of the animal.
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24. A medical apparatus for artificially stimulating internal soft tissue of an animal, said apparatus comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode for implantation into the internal soft tissue inside the animal; a stimulator connected to the first electrode and a second electrode, and in response to a control signal applying a composite voltage pulse to the first electrode and the second electrode, the composite voltage pulse having a first segment and a second segment contiguous with the first segment, wherein the first segment precedes the second segment, and wherein an amplitude of the first segment being at least three times greater than an amplitude of the second segment; a first conductor connecting the first electrode to the stimulator; and a second conductor connecting the second electrode to the stimulator, wherein the first and second conductors have a combined a resistance that is less than ten ohms.
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Specification