Active current control using the enclosure of an implanted pulse generator
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- providing a neurostimulator that includes a stimulation circuit, an enclosure housing the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure having at least one conductive area, and a plurality of distal electrodes coupled to the stimulation circuit through the enclosure;
operating the stimulation circuit to energize a first subset of the distal electrodes with a first polarity;
operating the stimulation circuit to energize a second subset of the distal electrodes with a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second subset being different from the first subset;
operating the stimulation circuit to energize the enclosure with one of the first and second polarities; and
determining a perception threshold current level and a pain threshold current level at the enclosure during a calibration stage, and wherein the operating of the stimulation circuit to energize the enclosure is performed such that an electrical current at the enclosure is capped at one of;
the perception threshold current level and the pain threshold current level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical stimulation apparatus including a medical device. The medical device includes: a housing component having at least one electrically conductive area. The medical device includes a plurality of conductors configured to be electrically coupled to a distal electrode array. The electrode array are implantable in a human body. The medical device includes a stimulation circuit positioned inside the housing component. The stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels. A first subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the conductors. A second subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component. The stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator that includes a stimulation circuit, an enclosure housing the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure having at least one conductive area, and a plurality of distal electrodes coupled to the stimulation circuit through the enclosure; operating the stimulation circuit to energize a first subset of the distal electrodes with a first polarity; operating the stimulation circuit to energize a second subset of the distal electrodes with a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second subset being different from the first subset; operating the stimulation circuit to energize the enclosure with one of the first and second polarities; and determining a perception threshold current level and a pain threshold current level at the enclosure during a calibration stage, and wherein the operating of the stimulation circuit to energize the enclosure is performed such that an electrical current at the enclosure is capped at one of;
the perception threshold current level and the pain threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator that includes a stimulation circuit, an enclosure that houses the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure having an electrically conductive area, and a plurality of distal electrodes coupled to the stimulation circuit through the enclosure; ramping up a current at the enclosure during an initial calibration stage; determining, in response to the ramping, a perception threshold current level and a pain threshold current level; operating the stimulation circuit to energize a first subset of the distal electrodes with a first polarity; operating the stimulation circuit to energize a second subset of the distal electrodes with a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second subset being different from the first subset; and operating the stimulation circuit to energize the enclosure with one of the first and second polarities, wherein the enclosure is energized with a stimulation current that is capped at one of;
the perception threshold current level and the pain threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator that includes a housing having at least one electrically conductive area, controller circuitry and stimulation circuitry disposed within the housing, and a plurality of implantable distal electrodes electrically coupled to the stimulation circuitry; determining a perception threshold current level and a pain threshold current level by sweeping a current at the housing; and thereafter configuring the controller circuitry and the stimulation circuitry to; energize a first subset of the distal electrodes with a first polarity; energize a second subset of the distal electrodes with a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second subset being different from the first subset; and energize the housing with one of the first and second polarities, wherein the first and second subsets of distal electrodes and the housing are energized simultaneously, and wherein the housing actively sinks or sources an amount of current that is capped at one of;
the perception threshold current level and the pain threshold current level. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification