Patient programmer for implantable devices
First Claim
1. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
- a plurality of electrode nodes configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes;
a plurality of stimulation sources, wherein the number of the plurality of stimulation sources is less than the number of electrode nodes, wherein the plurality of stimulation sources comprises at least one positive current source and at least one negative current source, wherein one of the at least one positive current source and one of the at least one negative current source are coupled to one of the electrode nodes via a common node, wherein each of the at least one positive current source is programmable and each of the at least one negative current source is programmable, wherein each programmable positive current sources comprises a positive digital-to-analog circuit (PDAC), and each programmable negative current source comprises a negative digital-to-analog circuit (NDAC);
a programmable switch matrix coupled between the plurality of electrode nodes and the plurality of stimulation sources; and
control circuitry configured for operating the programmable switch matrix to couple any of the plurality of stimulation sources to any of the plurality of electrode nodes for each of one or more channels.
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Abstract
The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bi-directional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
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a plurality of electrode nodes configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of stimulation sources, wherein the number of the plurality of stimulation sources is less than the number of electrode nodes, wherein the plurality of stimulation sources comprises at least one positive current source and at least one negative current source, wherein one of the at least one positive current source and one of the at least one negative current source are coupled to one of the electrode nodes via a common node, wherein each of the at least one positive current source is programmable and each of the at least one negative current source is programmable, wherein each programmable positive current sources comprises a positive digital-to-analog circuit (PDAC), and each programmable negative current source comprises a negative digital-to-analog circuit (NDAC); a programmable switch matrix coupled between the plurality of electrode nodes and the plurality of stimulation sources; and control circuitry configured for operating the programmable switch matrix to couple any of the plurality of stimulation sources to any of the plurality of electrode nodes for each of one or more channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
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a plurality of electrode nodes configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of stimulation sources, wherein the number of the plurality of stimulation sources is less than the number of electrode nodes, wherein the plurality of stimulation sources comprises at least one current source with a positive digital-to-analog circuit (PDAC) and at least one current source with a negative digital-to-analog circuit (NDAC); a programmable switch matrix coupled between the plurality of electrode nodes and the plurality of stimulation sources; and control circuitry configured for operating the programmable switch matrix to couple any of the plurality of stimulation sources to any of the plurality of electrode nodes for each of one or more channels. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification