Current generation architecture for an implantable medical device including controllable slew rate

Abstract

Digital-to-analog converter (master DAC) circuitry is disclosed that is programmable to set a controlled slew rate for pulses that are otherwise defined as having sharp amplitude transitions. For example, when producing a biphasic pulse, the constant amplitude and duration of first and second pulses phases can be defined and provided to the DAC in traditional fashion. Slew rate control signals control a slew rate DAC within the master DAC, which prescribes a slew rate that will appear at sharp transitions of the defined biphasic pulses, i.e., at the beginning of the first phase, at the transition from the first to the second phase, and at the end of the second phase. The slew rate can vary with the duration or frequency of the pulses, with lower slew rates used with longer durations and/or lower frequencies, and with higher slew rates used with shorter durations and/or higher frequencies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.