Implanted apparatus having micro processor controlled current and voltage sources with reduced voltage levels when not providing stimulation

• US 5,179,950 A
• Filed: 12/05/1991
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: Stanislaw, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/802,740
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 128/421-423
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/468 characterised by reference voltage circuitry, e.g. soft start, remote shutdown

Abstract

An implant for stimulating the vagus nerve receives commands over a radio frequency link. The implant disables a voltage convertor used in providing the stimulation signal at periodic intervals to monitor for communications attempts. The implant provides radio frequency marker pulses before providing stimulation signals of certain frequencies. During the providing of stimulation signals the implant monitors the voltage overhead present between the voltage source and the load and adjusts the overhead to a desired level. The implant changes the voltage applied to certain internal components during stimulation periods to allow full power operation during those intervals and reduced power levels at other intervals. The implant is reset by the placing of a magnet in a given location in conjunction with the application of a radio frequency transmission for a given period.

Claims

1. An implanted apparatus for providing an electrical signal to a living organism, comprising:

a battery for providing electrical energy;

a power supply circuit connected to said battery and having a voltage output responsive to a signal to select between two voltage output levels;

a microprocessor having its power input connected to said power supply voltage output and having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said outputs connected to provide a signal to select said power supply voltage output level;

a current source for providing the electrical signal to the living organism, said current source being coupled to said outputs of said microprocessor to control the production and level of the signal provided by said current source;

a voltage source connected to said current source and to said battery to provide operating energy for said output signal, said voltage source being coupled to said microprocessor outputs to control the production and level of the voltage provided by said voltage source; and

means for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the lower power supply output voltage level and to disable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is not being provided to the living organism and for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the higher power supply output voltage level and to enable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is being provided to the living organism.