Apparatus for tissue stimulation

• US 8,290,583 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Vernon, Scott D., Tyler, Larry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US12/766,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20100256711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/9
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3931 Protecting, e.g. back-up systems

Abstract

Delivering electrical stimulation to a body tissue by a circuit. The circuit includes a first and second terminal electrically coupled to body tissue. A sole capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is coupled to the first terminal. The second electrode is coupled to a power source through a switch.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a sole capacitor which includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to the first terminal;

a first voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a reference potential;

a third switch configured for coupling the second terminal to the reference potential;

a second voltage source having an output; and

a fourth switch coupled between the output of the second voltage source and the second electrode.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first voltage source is one of a voltage converter, a charge pump and a switching regulator.

3. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a sole capacitor that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to the first terminal;

a first voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a reference potential;

a third switch configured for coupling the second terminal to the reference potential;

a second voltage source having an output; and

a fourth switch coupled between the output of the second voltage source and the second terminal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a fifth switch coupled between the output of the second voltage source and the second electrode.

5. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a sole capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to the first terminal;

a voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a reference potential;

a third switch configured for coupling the second terminal to the reference potential;

an adjustable impedance circuit that includes an input and an output, the input for coupling to the reference potential; and

a fourth switch coupled between the second electrode and the output of the adjustable impedance circuit.

6. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a sole capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to the first terminal;

a voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a reference potential;

a third switch configured for coupling the second terminal to the reference potential;

an adjustable impedance circuit having an input and an output, the input coupled to the reference potential; and

a fourth switch coupled between the second terminal and the output of the adjustable impedance circuit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a fifth switch coupled between the second electrode and the output of the adjustable impedance circuit.

8. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a sole capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode coupled to the first terminal;

a voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a reference potential;

a third switch configured for coupling the second terminal to the reference potential; and

a fourth switch configured to couple the first electrode to the reference potential.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the voltage source is one of a voltage converter, a charge pump and a switching regulator.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising:

a current-carrying element having an output; and

a fifth switch coupled between the output of the current-carrying element and the second electrode.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the fourth switch is a fault resistant switched conductor.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the fourth switch is a fault resistant switched conductor.

13. An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

first and second terminals configured to be electrically coupled to the body tissue;

a capacitor having a first electrode coupled to the first terminal and having a second electrode;

a voltage source having an output;

a first switch for coupling the second electrode to the output of the voltage source;

a second switch configured for coupling the second electrode to a first reference potential;

a first fault resistant switched conductor for coupling between the reference potential and the second terminal; and

a second fault resistant switched conductor for coupling between the reference potential and the first terminal.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising:

a current-carrying element having an output; and

a third switch coupled between the output of the current-carrying element and the second electrode.

15. A method of changing the amplitude of a stimulation pulse applied to a patient'"'"'s body tissue from a first amplitude to a second amplitude, the method comprising:

changing the voltage stored on a sole capacitor from a first voltage to a second voltage substantially proportional to the second amplitude;

discharging the sole capacitor through the body tissue; and

changing the voltage across the capacitor to substantially the first voltage.