Current steering neurostimulator device with unidirectional current sources
First Claim
1. An electrical stimulation apparatus, comprising:
- a power source;
a programmable switch having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the power source;
a unidirectional current source electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch, wherein the unidirectional current source is electrically uncoupled to the power source when the programmable switch is open, the unidirectional current source having a tunable current level;
an electrode contact electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch and to the unidirectional current source, the electrode contact being configured for contact with a living body; and
a microcontroller electrically coupled to the programmable switch and to the unidirectional current source, wherein the microcontroller is configured to;
control an opening and a closing of the programmable switch;
set the current level of the unidirectional current source; and
cause the electrode contact to deliver current drawn from the unidirectional current source while the programmable switch is open.
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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.
26 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical stimulation apparatus, comprising:
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a power source; a programmable switch having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the power source; a unidirectional current source electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch, wherein the unidirectional current source is electrically uncoupled to the power source when the programmable switch is open, the unidirectional current source having a tunable current level; an electrode contact electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch and to the unidirectional current source, the electrode contact being configured for contact with a living body; and a microcontroller electrically coupled to the programmable switch and to the unidirectional current source, wherein the microcontroller is configured to; control an opening and a closing of the programmable switch; set the current level of the unidirectional current source; and cause the electrode contact to deliver current drawn from the unidirectional current source while the programmable switch is open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A medical stimulation device, comprising:
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a power source; a transceiver configured to conduct telecommunications with one or more external devices; a microcontroller configured to generate control signals in response to the telecommunications with the one or more external devices; and a plurality of individually-controllable electrical stimulation paths, wherein each stimulation path includes; a programmable switch having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the power source, and wherein the programmable switch is configured to open or close in response to the control signals generated by the microcontroller; a unidirectional current source electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch, wherein the unidirectional current source is electrically uncoupled to the power source when the programmable switch is open, the unidirectional current source having a current level that is tunable in response to the control signals generated by the microcontroller; an electrode contact electrically coupled to the second terminal of the programmable switch and to the unidirectional current source, the electrode contact being configured to deliver, to a body tissue, current drawn from the unidirectional current source while the programmable switch is programmed to be open. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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providing a neurostimulator that includes a microcontroller and an anodic channel and a cathodic channel, the anodic channel and the cathodic channel including respective programmable unidirectional current sources and respective programmable switches, wherein a current level of the unidirectional current sources and an open/close position of the switches are programmable in response to control signals generated by the microcontroller; generating stimulation current by putting the neurostimulator in a stimulation phase of operation; and thereafter ceasing generation of the stimulation current by putting the neurostimulator in a recovery phase of operation, wherein at least the cathodic channel is programmed to have different configurations with respect to the current level and the open/close switch position during the stimulation and recovery phases of operation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification