Implantable pulse generator that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body
First Claim
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1. A spinal cord stimulation system comprising:
- an external charger; and
an implantable pulse generator including a rechargeable battery configured to wirelessly couple to the external charger;
wherein the external charger contains a voltage source, a current limiter, and an amplifier configured to generate a power signal which is capable of charging the rechargeable battery, wherein the current limiter is coupled between the voltage source and the amplifier to limit the amount of current provided to produce the power signal; and
wherein the external charger is configured to provide an indication that proper alignment exists between the rechargeable battery and the external charger based upon a drop in an output voltage of the current limiter when the amplifier receives a maximum set current limit.
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Abstract
An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body has a programmable signal generator that can generate the signals based on stored signal parameters without any intervention from a processor that controls the overall operation of the IPG. While the signal generator is generating the signals the processor can be in a standby mode to substantially save battery power. The IPG also contains circuitry to indicate to a patient that proper alignment exists between the IPG and an external charger to charge a battery in the IPG.
133 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A spinal cord stimulation system comprising:
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an external charger; and an implantable pulse generator including a rechargeable battery configured to wirelessly couple to the external charger; wherein the external charger contains a voltage source, a current limiter, and an amplifier configured to generate a power signal which is capable of charging the rechargeable battery, wherein the current limiter is coupled between the voltage source and the amplifier to limit the amount of current provided to produce the power signal; and wherein the external charger is configured to provide an indication that proper alignment exists between the rechargeable battery and the external charger based upon a drop in an output voltage of the current limiter when the amplifier receives a maximum set current limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A spinal cord stimulation system comprising:
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an external charger; and an implantable pulse generator including a rechargeable battery configured to wirelessly couple to the external charger; wherein the external charger contains a voltage source, and an amplifier configured to produce a power signal which is provided to a charging coil, wherein the charging coil will transmit power capable of charging the rechargeable battery, the external charge further comprising a current limiter configured to limit the current provided to the charging coil; and wherein the external charger is configured to provide an indication that proper alignment exists between the rechargeable battery and the external charger based upon the current limiter determining that a maximum set current limit is received by the amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification