Symmetrical output neurostimulation device
First Claim
1. A method of providing therapy to a patient using an array of electrodes implanted adjacent neural tissue of the patient and a grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, the method comprising:
- regulating a first non-zero voltage at an anode of the electrodes relative to the grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, wherein the anode is different than the grounding electrode;
regulating a second non-zero voltage at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, wherein the cathode is different than the grounding electrode; and
conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode at the first non-zero voltage and the cathode at the second non-zero voltage, thereby stimulating the neural tissue, wherein the grounding electrode prevents voltage shifts within analog output circuitry from being conducted to the anode and cathode differentially.
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Abstract
A method and system of providing therapy to a patient using electrodes implanted adjacent tissue. The method comprises regulating a first voltage at an anode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, regulating a second voltage at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, and conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode at the first voltage and the cathode at the second voltage, thereby stimulating the neural tissue. The system comprises a grounding electrode configured for being placed in contact with the tissue, electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to the electrodes, a first regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, a second regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, and control circuitry configured for controlling the regulators to convey electrical stimulation energy between the anode and cathode.
13 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of providing therapy to a patient using an array of electrodes implanted adjacent neural tissue of the patient and a grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, the method comprising:
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regulating a first non-zero voltage at an anode of the electrodes relative to the grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, wherein the anode is different than the grounding electrode; regulating a second non-zero voltage at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the grounding electrode in contact with the neural tissue, wherein the cathode is different than the grounding electrode; and conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode at the first non-zero voltage and the cathode at the second non-zero voltage, thereby stimulating the neural tissue, wherein the grounding electrode prevents voltage shifts within analog output circuitry from being conducted to the anode and cathode differentially. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A neurostimulation system, comprising
a grounding electrode configured for being placed in contact with neural tissue; -
a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to an array of electrodes; a first regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, wherein the anode is different than the grounding electrode; a second regulator configured for being electrically coupled between a cathode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, wherein the cathode is different than the grounding electrode; and control circuitry configured for controlling the first and second regulators to convey electrical stimulation energy between the anode and the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing therapy to a patient using an array of electrodes implanted adjacent neural tissue of the patient and a ground electrode placed in contact with the neural tissue, the method comprising
regulating electrical stimulation energy at an anode of the electrodes relative to the neural tissue using a first regulator electrically coupled between the anode and the grounding electrode, wherein the anode is different than the grounding electrode; -
regulating electrical stimulation energy at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the neural tissue using a second regulator electrically coupled between the cathode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, wherein the cathode is different than the grounding electrode; and conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode and the cathode, thereby stimulating the neural tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification