High voltage monitoring successive approximation analog to digital converter

A method of converting an analog signal to a digital equivalent signal utilizing an analog to digital converter, said converter comprising:

• a differential amplifier configurable as either an op amp or a comparator, said differential amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, wherein a reference voltage is coupled to the first input;
• a capacitor array coupled across the second input and the output, said capacitor array having a total capacitance value of C2;
• an input capacitor switchably coupled between a source of analog signals and the second input, said input capacitor having a capacitance value of C1;
• a successive approximation register coupled to the switched capacitor array and the differential amplifier output;
• and a logic signal generator configured to provide timing control logic signals to:
• define a sampling interval, define a transfer interval and define an analog to digital conversion interval respectively, the method comprising:
• sampling the analog signal onto the input capacitor during the sampling interval wherein the differential amplifier is configured as an op amp;
• transferring the sampled signal on the input capacitor multiplied by the ratio C1/C2 during the transfer interval to the switched capacitor array, wherein the differential amplifier is configured as an op amp;
• and
• configuring the differential amplifier as a comparator and converting the voltage on the capacitor array to digital output bits for storage in the successive approximation register according to the comparator output in a successive approximation protocol during an analog to digital conversion interval to thereby provide the digital equivalent signal.

A peripherally-implantable neurostimulation system comprising:

• a plurality of leads, wherein each of the plurality of leads comprises at least one electrode;
• an analog-to-digital converter comprising a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter and an integral switched capacitor amplifier, wherein the successive approximation analog-to-digital converter and the integral switched capacitor amplifier share a common differential amplifier;
• and
• a pulse generator configured to generate one or several electrical pulses, wherein the pulse generator is connected to the leads such that the electrical pulses are transmitted to the at least one electrode.

An implantable electrical stimulation system comprising:

• a pulse generator configured to generate one or several electrical pulses;
• an electrode array configured to output the one or several electrical pulses;
• an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog signal associated with at least one of the electrodes of the electrode array to a digital signal, the analog-to-digital converter including a reconfigurable differential amplifier;
• and
• a controller configured to reconfigure the differential amplifier between an operational amplifier mode and a comparator mode.

A method of treating neuropathic pain, comprising:

• delivering at least one electrical pulse to a body tissue proximate or at a nerve by an implanted pulse generator and at least one electrode;
• sensing an analog attribute of the at least one electrical pulse using a differential amplifier configured in an operational amplifier mode;
• and
• converting the sensed analog attribute to a digital signal using the differential amplifier configured in a comparator mode.