Power efficient stimulators
AssigneeSaluda Medical Pty Ltd
InventorsPeter Single, James Laird
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to a device for applying a neural stimulus. A battery supplies electrical energy at a battery voltage and an electrode applies the electrical energy to neural tissue. A circuit measures the nervous response of the tissue and a voltage converter receives the electrical energy from the battery and controls a voltage applied to the electrode based on the measured nervous response of the tissue. This direct voltage control is energy efficient because losses across a typical current mirror are avoided. Further, the control based on the measured nervous response leads to automatic compensation of impedance variation due to in-growth or change in posture. As a result, the stimulation results in a desired neural response.
Claims22
A device for applying a neural stimulus comprising:
- a battery to supply electrical energy at a battery voltage;
- an electrode to apply the electrical energy to neural tissue;
- a circuit to measure a nervous response of the neural tissue;
- and
- a voltage converter to receive the electrical energy from the battery and to control a voltage applied to the electrode based on the measured nervous response of the tissue.
A method for neural stimulation, the method comprising repeatedly performing the steps of:
- generating a stimulation voltage signal at a stimulation voltage;
- applying the stimulation voltage signal to neural tissue;
- measuring a nervous response of the tissue;
- and
- adjusting the stimulation voltage based on the measured nervous response.
A device for applying a neural stimulus comprising:
- a battery to supply electrical energy at a battery voltage;
- stimulating electrodes to apply the electrical energy to neural tissue;
- a circuit to measure a nervous response of the tissue;
- a current mirror to deliver a current to the stimulating electrodes according to a reference current that is based on the measured nervous response;
- and
- a voltage converter to receive the electrical energy from the battery and to control a voltage applied to the current mirror based on a voltage between the stimulating electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.