Neurostimulator output switching circuitry with self-test mode
AssigneeAdvanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
InventorsDaran DeShazo, Gavin Rade
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An implantable medical device (IMO) includes one or more stimulation engines (SEs) and selectively connectable output switching circuitry for driving a plurality of output nodes associated with a respective plurality of electrodes of the IMO's lead system when implanted in a patient. The output switching circuitry may be configured to facilitate self-test mode (STM) functionality in the IMO (e.g., when it is in a hermetically sealed package) by using a dual mode switch in series with a stimulation engine selection switch with respect to each output node in the output switching circuitry under mode selection control.
Claims20
A method operative with an implantable medical device (IMD), the method comprising:
- establishing a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication link with an external device;
- responsive to a mode selection control signal received from the external device, generating one or more digital control signals for effectuating one or more internal circuit paths via output switching circuitry of the IMD by selectively activating a dual mode (DM) switch and a select stimulation engine selection (SES) switch of a plurality of SES switches associated with output nodes of the output switching circuitry, the plurality of SES switches are associated with a corresponding plurality of stimulation engines, wherein the output nodes are operative to be connected to corresponding electrodes of a lead system when implanted proximate to tissue of a patient;
- selectively coupling a programmable measurement circuit to at least a portion of an internal circuit path associated with a particular output node to measure at least one of an impedance of a DM switch associated with the particular output node, an impedance of a select SES switch associated with the particular output node, or programmability of a pulse current through a measurement path forming the at least a portion of the internal circuit path, wherein the DM and a particular SES switch associated with the particular output node are disposed in respective closed states forming part of the measurement path in a series connection, the pulse current having one or more configurable pulse settings and patterns selectable from the external device;
- and
- providing one or more measurements obtained from the programmable measurement circuit to the external device for presentation via a user interface.
A method operative with an implantable medical device (IMD), the method comprising:
- establishing a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication link with an external device using a wireless communication protocol;
- generating an adjustable target voltage at a voltage multiplier (VM) node based on a voltage supplied by a power supply;
- using at least one stimulation engine operative to energize at least a portion of a plurality of electrodes of a lead system when the lead system is implanted proximate to a tissue of a patient;
- driving, with output switching circuitry, a plurality of output nodes, at least one output node of the plurality of output nodes is connectable to a corresponding electrode of the plurality of electrodes when implanted, the output switching circuitry comprising a switching portion for the at least one output node;
- selectively coupling, using a dual mode (DM) switch of the switching portion, the at least one output node to the VM node operative to power an anodic node of the at least one stimulation engine;
- and
- selectively coupling, using at least one stimulation engine selection (SES) switch, the at least one output node to a cathodic node, the DM switch and the at least one SES switch being activated to close so as to effectuate an internal circuit path in the output switching circuitry of the IMD in a self-test mode responsive to one or more digital control signals generated under control of one or more processors operating based on a mode selection control signal from the external device.
A method operative with an implantable medical device (IMD), the method comprising:
- establishing a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication link with an external device;
- responsive to a mode selection control signal received from the external device, generating one or more digital control signals for effectuating one or more internal circuit paths via output switching circuitry of the IMD by selectively activating a dual mode (DM) switch and a select stimulation engine selection (SES) switch of a plurality of SES switches associated with output nodes of the output switching circuitry, wherein the output nodes are operative to be connected to corresponding electrodes of a lead system when implanted proximate to tissue of a patient;
- selectively coupling a programmable measurement circuit to at least a portion of an internal circuit path associated with a particular output node to measure at least one of an impedance of a DM switch associated with the particular output node, an impedance of a select SES switch associated with the particular output node, or programmability of a pulse current through a measurement path forming the at least a portion of the internal circuit path, wherein the DM switch and the select SES switch associated with the particular output node are disposed in respective closed states forming part of the measurement path in a series connection;
- and
- providing one or more measurements obtained from the programmable measurement circuit to the external device for presentation via a user interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.