摘要:
A wireless implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the wireless device is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. The implantable device can download program instructions from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. Moreover, the implantable device provides for checking the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. The implantable device has power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges.
摘要:
An implantable device and a wireless communication integrated circuit (IC) implementable in the implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the communication IC is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. Moreover, the implantable device and the communication IC provide for checking of the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the desired operation of the implantable device. The implantable device and the communication IC therein have power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges. A further embodiment provides a robust communication IC, whereby signal distortion or interference between the analog and digital components collectively residing on the same communication IC is minimized or eliminated.
摘要:
A communication protocol that is configured to extend the battery life of devices that monitor and/or affect body parameters and is particularly useful in a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more implanted devices. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. The time between battery rechargings is determined by the battery capacity and the device's power consumption. Accordingly, the present invention reduces their average power consumption by reducing the usage duty cycle of their power consuming transmit and receive modes used to communicate with the SCU. By dedicating addressable time slots to each of the implantable devices in the system and limiting their use of receive and transmit modes to time periods proximate to these time slots, the average power consumption is accordingly reduced.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a multi-mode crystal oscillator system selectively configurable to minimize power consumption or noise generation. Such a system is particularly applicable to the communication system of an implantable device, e.g., the microstimulator/sensor device described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,164,284 and 6,185,452. In such devices, their small size limits the size of the battery contained within and thus makes it essential to minimize power consumption. Additionally, the small size and battery capacity result in a limited transmission power. Furthermore, the small size limits the antenna efficiency which makes it desirable to limit any noise generation to maximize the signal-to-noise level of the resulting receive signal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention alternatively supply power to the oscillator in either a first mode that minimizes power consumption or a second mode that minimizes noise generation.
摘要:
A pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. The pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system. An exemplary use is in a three pressure sensor system including a flow control valve in a shunt to treat hydrocephalus. An embodiment of the invention includes a pressure sensor and associated electromagnetic coils embedded in the tip portion of the shunt for measuring the pressure of fluid externally of the shunt at the tip portion.
摘要:
An implantable substrate sensor has electronic circuitry and electrodes formed on opposite sides of a substrate. A protective coating covers the substrate, effectively hermetically sealing the electronic circuitry under the coating. Exposed areas of the electrodes are selectively left uncovered by the protective coating, thereby allowing such electrodes to be exposed to body tissue and fluids when the sensor is implanted in living tissue. The substrate on which the electronic circuitry and electrodes are formed is the same substrate or “chip” on which an integrated circuit (IC) is formed, which integrated circuit contains the desired electronic circuitry. Such approach eliminates the need for an hermetically sealed lid or cover to cover hybrid electronic circuitry, and allows the sensor to be made much thinner than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, two such substrate sensor may be placed back-to-back, with the electrodes facing outward. As required, capacitors that form part of the sensor's electronic circuits are formed on the substrate by placing metalization layers and a dielectric in vacant areas of the substrate surface.
摘要:
A fully implantable cochlear implant system (170) and method includes an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212) that is connected to an implantable speech processor (ISP) unit (210). Both the ISP unit and the ICS unit reside in separate, hermetically-sealed, cases. The ICS unit has a coil (220) permanently connected thereto through which magnetic or inductive coupling may occur with a similar coil located externally during recharging, programming, or externally-controlled modes of operation. The ICS unit further has a cochlear electrode array (114) permanently connected thereto via a first multi-conductor cable (116). The ICS unit 212 also has a second multi-conductor cable (222) attached thereto, which second cable contains no more than five conductors. The second cable is detachably connected to the ISP unit via a connector (224) located on the case of the ISP unit. The ISP unit includes an implantable subcutaneous microphone (218) as an integral part thereof, and further includes ISP circuitry (214) and a replenishable power source (216), e.g., a rechargeable battery.
摘要:
A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU. In accordance with the invention, a preferred SCU is similarly implemented as a device capable of being implanted beneath a patient's skin, preferably having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm. Wireless communication between the SCU and the implanted devices is preferably implemented via a modulated sound signal, AC magnetic field, RF signal, or electric conduction.
摘要:
A low power switched rectifier circuit is realized using P-MOS and N-MOS FET switches that are turned ON/OFF at just the right time by a detector and inverter circuit (which form an integral part of the rectifier circuit) to rectify an incoming ac signal in a highly efficient manner. Parasitic diodes and transistors that form an integral part of the FET circuitry respond to and rectify the incoming signal during start up, i.e., when no supply voltage is yet present, thereby providing sufficient operating voltage for the FET switches to begin to perform their intended rectifying function. In the absence of an incoming ac signal, i.e., during the time between biphasic pulses, the rectifier circuit is biased with an extremely small static bias current; but in the presence of an incoming ac signal, at a time when the positive and negative phases of the incoming signal are to be connected to positive and negative supply lines, a much larger dynamic bias current is automatically triggered.
摘要:
An implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) has eight output stages (212), each having a current source (212B) connected to a pair of electrodes, designated "A" and "B", through respective output coupling capacitors and an electrode switching matrix (212C). An indifferent electrode is connected to each output stage by way of an indifferent electrode switch (212D). The current source generates a precise stimulation current as a function of an analog control voltage. The analog control voltage, in turn, is generated by a logarithmic D/A converter. The D/A converter serially converts data words, received in a data frame from an external source, to respective analog control voltages that are applied sequentially to the current sources of each output stage. An output mode register (208) controls the switching matrix of each stage, as well as the indifferent electrode switch, to configure the electrodes for a desired stimulation configuration, e.g., bipolar stimulation (current flow between the pair of electrodes of the output stage), or monopolar stimulation (current flow between one of the electrodes of the output stage and the indifferent electrode). The voltage at the "A" and "B" electrode of each output stage may be selectively telemetered to the wearable system, as may the current flow through the indifferent electrode, thereby facilitating a measurement of the electrode impedance. The "A" and "B" electrodes of each output stage may be selectively shorted through a high or low resistance in order to discharge the output coupling capacitors.