Current steering neurostimulator device with unidirectional current sources
First Claim
1. A medical device, comprising:
- a neurostimulator that includes one or more channels, wherein each channel includes;
a digitally-controlled switch coupled to a voltage source, wherein the switch is in one of;
an “
on”
state and an “
off”
state in response to a first control signal;
a digitally-controlled current sink coupled to the switch in a manner such that the switch is coupled between the current sink and the voltage source, wherein the current sink is electrically isolated from the voltage source when the switch is in the “
off”
state, and wherein the current sink draws a variable amount of electrical current in response to a second control signal, and wherein the second control signal includes a plurality of bits, and wherein the current sink includes a plurality of first transistors and a plurality of second transistors, wherein the first transistors are each coupled to the switch through a respective one of the second transistors, wherein the first transistors are each operable to draw a current that is an integer multiple of a reference current, and wherein the second transistors are operable to be individually turned on or off by a corresponding bit of the second control signal, thereby enabling the respectively-coupled first transistor to draw current or preventing such first transistor from drawing current; and
a conductor coupled to the switch and the current sink, wherein the conductor is configured to be coupled to an electrode that is operable to deliver the electrical current drawn by the current sink to a target tissue area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a medical device that includes a neurostimulator. The neurostimulator includes one or more channels. Each channel includes a digitally-controlled switch coupled to a voltage source. The switch is in one of an “on” state and an “off” state in response to a first control signal. Each channel also includes a digitally-controlled current sink coupled to the switch. The current sink is coupled between the switch and the voltage source. The current sink draws a variable amount of electrical current in response to a second control signal. Each channel further includes a conductor coupled to the switch and the current sink. The conductor is configured to be coupled to an electrode that is operable to deliver the electrical current drawn by the current sink to a target tissue area.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
a neurostimulator that includes one or more channels, wherein each channel includes; a digitally-controlled switch coupled to a voltage source, wherein the switch is in one of;
an “
on”
state and an “
off”
state in response to a first control signal;a digitally-controlled current sink coupled to the switch in a manner such that the switch is coupled between the current sink and the voltage source, wherein the current sink is electrically isolated from the voltage source when the switch is in the “
off”
state, and wherein the current sink draws a variable amount of electrical current in response to a second control signal, and wherein the second control signal includes a plurality of bits, and wherein the current sink includes a plurality of first transistors and a plurality of second transistors, wherein the first transistors are each coupled to the switch through a respective one of the second transistors, wherein the first transistors are each operable to draw a current that is an integer multiple of a reference current, and wherein the second transistors are operable to be individually turned on or off by a corresponding bit of the second control signal, thereby enabling the respectively-coupled first transistor to draw current or preventing such first transistor from drawing current; anda conductor coupled to the switch and the current sink, wherein the conductor is configured to be coupled to an electrode that is operable to deliver the electrical current drawn by the current sink to a target tissue area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator having different first and second channels, the first channel including a first tunable unidirectional current source, the first and second channels also including; respective first and second switches each coupled to a power supply, wherein the first current source is coupled to the power supply through the first switch; and respective first and second electrodes coupled to the first and second switches, respectively; entering a stimulation phase by; opening the first switch; closing the second switch; and tuning the first current source in a manner such that it sinks a programmable amount of electrical current; and entering a recovery phase by; closing both the first and second switches; and tuning the first current source in a manner such that it does not sink any electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An electrical stimulation device, comprising:
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a voltage supply means for delivering a steady voltage; a switching means for selectively opening and closing a circuit path coupled to the voltage supply means; a current sink means for sinking a programmably-adjustable amount of current, the current sink means being coupled to the voltage supply means through the switching means, wherein the opening of the circuit path cuts off electrical coupling between the current sink means and the voltage supply means, wherein the current sink means includes;
a plurality of current mirror means for sinking currents that are different integer multiples of a reference current, and a plurality of current mirror switch means for selectively allowing a subset of the current mirror means to sink current while preventing a different subset of the current mirror means from sinking current;
wherein each of the current mirror means is coupled to a respective one of the current mirror switch means; anda conductor means for stimulating a living body, the conductor means being coupled to both the switching means and the current sink means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electrical stimulation device, comprising:
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a plurality of anodic channels that each include an anode electrode coupled to a steady voltage supply; and a cathodic channel that includes a current sink that sinks a programmably-determined amount of current and a cathode electrode coupled to the current sink; wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are both implemented on a lead that is operable to carry out electrical stimulation of a neural tissue, wherein the anode electrodes of the plurality of the anodic channels are positioned on the lead in a manner such that the cathode electrode is at least partially encircled by the anode electrodes, and wherein all the anode electrodes have identical voltage potentials. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification