Implantable multichannel stimulator
First Claim
1. A multichannel stimulation system comprising:
- a plurality of implanted electrodes;
a plurality of implantable microstimulators, each being electrically connected to at least two of said plurality of implanted electrodes, each microstimulator including;
first coupling means for receiving a power signal and an informational signal;
stimulation circuitry powered by said power signal including;
power means for extracting power from said power signal,demodulator means for recovering and demodulating said information signal,output circuitry responsive to said information signal for applying a stimulation pulse, derived from the power extracted from said power signal, to said implanted electrodes whenever said information signal contains prescribed stimulator codes,whereby the stimulation pulse may be selectively applied to the electrodes connected to a respective one of said plurality of microstimulators as controlled by said information signal;
a biocompatible, non-conductive plastic material adapted for binding said plurality of microstimulators together to form a stimulator array; and
an external control unit that includes;
first generating means for generating said power signal,second generating means for selectively generating said information signal, andsecond coupling means for transmitting said power and information signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multichannel stimulation system includes a plurality of implantable microminiature stimulators (microstimulators), each being connected to a respective implanted electrode or electrode array. Each microstimulator is selectively operable as controlled by an external (non-implanted) control unit. The electrode or electrode array is implanted so as to contact nerves and/or tissue that is to be stimulated. Operating power is inductively coupled from the control unit to the microstimulators. An information signal is also coupled to the microstimulators to control which of the microstimulators is to be activated to provide a stimulation pulse to its respective electrode. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cochlear prosthesis with an intracochlear electrode array being implanted within the human cochlea, and with selected electrodes of the array being connected to individual ones of the plurality of microstimulators. The control unit of such cochlear prosthesis includes a small external transmitter coil that is worn next to the skin where the microstimulators are implanted. The control unit generates a power signal and an information signal for powering and controlling the cochlear prosthesis.
522 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A multichannel stimulation system comprising:
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a plurality of implanted electrodes; a plurality of implantable microstimulators, each being electrically connected to at least two of said plurality of implanted electrodes, each microstimulator including; first coupling means for receiving a power signal and an informational signal; stimulation circuitry powered by said power signal including; power means for extracting power from said power signal, demodulator means for recovering and demodulating said information signal, output circuitry responsive to said information signal for applying a stimulation pulse, derived from the power extracted from said power signal, to said implanted electrodes whenever said information signal contains prescribed stimulator codes, whereby the stimulation pulse may be selectively applied to the electrodes connected to a respective one of said plurality of microstimulators as controlled by said information signal; a biocompatible, non-conductive plastic material adapted for binding said plurality of microstimulators together to form a stimulator array; and an external control unit that includes; first generating means for generating said power signal, second generating means for selectively generating said information signal, and second coupling means for transmitting said power and information signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An implantable multichannel stimulator comprising:
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an electrode array including; a plurality of electrode contacts, a plurality of wire connectors, each of said wire connectors electrically connected to one of said electrode contacts, insulating material disposed within said electrode array such that each of said wire conductors associated with each electrode contact is electrically insulated from the other wire conductors associated with the other electrode contacts; and a plurality of implantable microstimulators, each of which includes; a first and second output terminal connected to prescribed selected ones of said wire conductors of said electrode array, means for applying a stimulation pulse between said first and second output terminals in a controlled manner, and a bonding material disposed proximate to said plurality of implantable microstimulators such that said plurality of implantable microstimulators are mechanically held together, said bonding material being compatible with and impervious to body fluids; whereby selected ones of said electrode contacts of said electrode array have said stimulation pulse applied thereto in response to a controlled application of stimulation pluses from at least one of said microstimulators. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of stimulating multiple channels of an implantable electrode array, said electrode array including a plurality of electrode contacts, each being connected to a respective, insulated wire conductor, and an implanted coil in a sealed housing for each stimulation channel that is to be provided, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inductively coupling said implanted coil with an external coil; (b) applying an ac power signal to said external coil; (c) rectifying the ac power signal that is inductively coupled to the implanted coil of each channel; (d) charging a capacitor within the sealed housing of each channel with the rectified power signal; and (e) selectively discharging the capacitor of each channel through which stimulation is to be provided through an electrical path that includes a selected one of said wire conductors and the electrode contact connected to said wire conductor. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A method of stimulating multiple channels of an implantable electrode array, said electrode array including a plurality of microstimulators mechanically held together, each having electrode contacts, each being connected to a respective, insulated wire conductor, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling power to each microstimulator from an external source; (b) modulating the coupled power with a microstimulator code corresponding to a particular microstimulator of said plurality of microstimulators where a stimulation pulse is to be generated; (c) demodulating the coupled power at each microstimulator to determine if it contains a preassigned microstimulator code corresponding to the particular microstimulator whereat the demodulation is made; and (d) generating a stimulation pulse from power derived from said coupled power when the microstimulator code corresponds to the preassigned microstimulator code of the microstimulator whereat the demodulation takes place. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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Specification