Shunt-current reduction techniques for an implantable therapy system
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a first therapy module comprising a housing and a signal generator enclosed within the housing, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate and deliver electrical stimulation to a first tissue site within a patient via a first electrode electrically connected to the signal generator;
a second therapy module configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a second tissue site within the patient;
a second, nontherapeutic electrode that is not used by the second therapy module for the delivery of the electrical stimulation by the second therapy module; and
a clamping structure configured to electrically connect the second, nontherapeutic electrode to the housing of the first therapy module, wherein the clamping structure is configured to reduce a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the first electrode, and wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for minimizing interference between the first and second medical devices or between the different therapy modules of a common medical device are described herein. In some examples, a medical device may include shunt-current mitigation circuitry and/or at least one clamping structure that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into a first therapy module of the medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first therapy module. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module. The second therapy module may be enclosed in a common housing with the first therapy module or may be separate, e.g., a part of a separate medical device.
161 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first therapy module comprising a housing and a signal generator enclosed within the housing, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate and deliver electrical stimulation to a first tissue site within a patient via a first electrode electrically connected to the signal generator; a second therapy module configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a second tissue site within the patient; a second, nontherapeutic electrode that is not used by the second therapy module for the delivery of the electrical stimulation by the second therapy module; and a clamping structure configured to electrically connect the second, nontherapeutic electrode to the housing of the first therapy module, wherein the clamping structure is configured to reduce a shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the first electrode, and wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method comprising:
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sensing a voltage gradient via a first, nontherapeutic electrode that is coupled to a housing of a first therapy module via a clamping structure, wherein the voltage gradient is generated by delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module via one or more electrodes coupled to the second therapy module, and wherein the first, nontherapeutic electrode is not one of the electrodes used by the second therapy module for the delivery of the electrical stimulation by the second therapy module; activating the clamping structure when the sensed voltage gradient is greater than a threshold voltage value; and reducing a shunt-current that is introduced into the first therapy module via a second electrode that is coupled to a signal generator of the first therapy module, wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module, and wherein activating the clamping structure reduces the shunt-current introduced into the first therapy module via the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system comprising:
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means for sensing a voltage gradient, the means for sensing being coupled to a housing of a first therapy module via a clamping structure, wherein the voltage gradient is generated by delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module via one or more electrodes coupled to the second therapy module, and wherein the means for sensing is not configured for the delivery of the electrical stimulation by the second therapy module; and means for activating the clamping structure when the sensed voltage gradient is greater than a threshold voltage value for reducing a shunt-current that is introduced into the first therapy module via an electrode that is coupled to a signal generator of the first therapy module, wherein the shunt-current is generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second therapy module. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification