Method and apparatus to provide safety checks for neural stimulation
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling the stimulation of neural tissue comprising:
- an implantable electronics package;
a neural stimulator within said implantable electronics package;
an electrode array driven by the neural stimulator and suitable to stimulate neural tissue;
an external processor wirelessly communicating with said implantable electronics package;
a current pulse generator within said external processor providing instructions to said implantable electronics package for stimulating neural tissue;
a meter device within said external processor for testing total power dissipation of said neural stimulator during stimulation of tissue; and
a calculating device within said external processor for comparing said total power dissipation to a predetermined maximum power dissipation,wherein the current pulse generator is configured such that instructions from the current pulse generator to the implantable electronics package for stimulating a particular electrode in the electrode array are based on total power dissipation of the electrode array.
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Abstract
The present application deals generally with the stimulation of neural tissue by electronic means and specifically with controlling the level of electrical stimulation in order to prevent damage to the neural tissue. Methods presented in the disclosure include detecting current leakage via electrode impedance measurement, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing the electrode response to test current pulse. Apparatus presented in the disclosure include circuitry and systems capable of performing the methods disclosed.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the stimulation of neural tissue comprising:
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an implantable electronics package; a neural stimulator within said implantable electronics package; an electrode array driven by the neural stimulator and suitable to stimulate neural tissue; an external processor wirelessly communicating with said implantable electronics package; a current pulse generator within said external processor providing instructions to said implantable electronics package for stimulating neural tissue; a meter device within said external processor for testing total power dissipation of said neural stimulator during stimulation of tissue; and a calculating device within said external processor for comparing said total power dissipation to a predetermined maximum power dissipation, wherein the current pulse generator is configured such that instructions from the current pulse generator to the implantable electronics package for stimulating a particular electrode in the electrode array are based on total power dissipation of the electrode array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification