Variable impedance shunt for a tissue stimulating prosthesis
First Claim
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1. A tissue stimulating prosthesis implantable in a recipient to electrically stimulate a segment of the recipient'"'"'s tissue with stimulating current, the prosthesis comprising:
- a stimulator unit configured to generate the current signals;
a first electrode configured to direct stimulation to the tissue;
a second electrode positioned separate from the first electrode; and
a variable impedance shunt disposed between the first electrode and second electrode;
wherein the stimulator unit is further configured to selectively control the shunt impedance.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for neural stimulation are disclosed. The principle is that a conventional current path is used to deliver the stimulus to neural structures, but an alternative current path is provided to bypass the neural structures during the opposite polarity part of the current flow. As a consequence, charge balance can be provided at the tissue/electrode interface, whilst delivering stimuli which are not charge balanced to the neural structures.
6 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A tissue stimulating prosthesis implantable in a recipient to electrically stimulate a segment of the recipient'"'"'s tissue with stimulating current, the prosthesis comprising:
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a stimulator unit configured to generate the current signals; a first electrode configured to direct stimulation to the tissue; a second electrode positioned separate from the first electrode; and a variable impedance shunt disposed between the first electrode and second electrode; wherein the stimulator unit is further configured to selectively control the shunt impedance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of electrically stimulating a segment of the recipient'"'"'s tissue with a tissue stimulating prosthesis comprising a stimulator unit, a first electrode configured to direct stimulation to the tissue, a second electrode positioned separate from the first electrode, and a variable impedance shunt disposed between the first electrode and second electrode, the method comprising:
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selectively conducting a first current from the first electrode to the second electrode via the tissue; and selectively conducting a second current from the first electrode to the second electrode at least partially through the shunt. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A tissue stimulating prosthesis implantable in a recipient to electrical stimulate a segment of the recipient'"'"'s tissue with stimulating current signals having a first polarity during a first phase, and a second, opposite polarity during a second phase, the prosthesis comprising:
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a stimulator unit configured to generate the current signals; a first electrode configured to direct stimulation to the tissue; a second electrode positioned separate from the first electrode; and a variable bypass pathway disposed between the first electrode and second electrode, wherein the pathway has an impedance to current signals of the first polarity that is different than an impedance to current signals of the second polarity. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification