# US 2017/0281944 A1 · Implantable pulse generator that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281944 A1 - Document ID: US20170281944A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/629,237 - Filed: 2017-06-21 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Saif Khalil; Raghavendra Angara; Miles Curtis; Christopher Biele; Daniel Fellmeth; Hrishikesh Gadagkar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281944A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/36071: {Pain} - A61N 1/36062: {Spinal stimulation} - A61N 1/3787: {from an external energy source} - H02J 7/42: with electronic devices having internal batteries, e.g. mobile phones - H02J 50/12: of the resonant type - H02J 50/80: involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices - H02J 50/90: involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment - A61N 1/0553: {Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy} - A61N 1/0558: {Anchoring or fixation means therefor} - A61N 1/36125: {Details of circuitry or electric components} - A61N 1/36185: {Selection of the electrode configuration} - A61N 1/37235: {Aspects of the external programmer} - A61N 1/3752: {Details of casing-lead connections} - H02J 2105/46: Medical devices, medical implants or life supporting devices - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body has a programmable signal generator that can generate the signals based on stored signal parameters without any intervention from a processor that controls the overall operation of the IPG. While the signal generator is generating the signals the processor can be in a standby mode to substantially save battery power. The IPG also contains circuitry to indicate to a patient that proper alignment exists between the IPG and an external charger to charge a battery in the IPG. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spinal cord stimulation system comprising: an external charger; and an implantable pulse generator including a rechargeable battery configured to wirelessly couple to the external charger; wherein the implantable pulse generator contains a voltage source, a current limiter, and an amplifier configured to charge the rechargeable battery based on power transmitted by the external charger; and wherein the external charger is configured to provide an indication that proper alignment exists between the rechargeable battery and the external charger based upon a drop in an output voltage of the current limiter when the amplifier receives a maximum set current limit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the indication of proper alignment is audible and/or tactile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the external charger comprises a Class-E topology power amplifier configured to produce a magnetic field that induces power into the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrodes for delivering electrical pulses to a patient. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of leads connecting the plurality of electrodes to the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 5, further comprising an application-specific circuit (ASIC) that is configured to determine which of the plurality of electrodes actively provide electrical pulses to the patient. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 6, wherein the ASIC is configured to convert digital signals into analog signals that are ultimately provided to one or more of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 7, further comprising a microcontroller within the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 8, wherein the microcontroller is in electronic communication with the ASIC. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 9, wherein the ASIC is configured to deliver electrical signals to one or more of the plurality of electrodes when the microcontroller is in a standby mode. ### Claim 11 A spinal cord stimulation system comprising: an external charger; and an implantable pulse generator including a rechargeable battery configured to wirelessly couple to the external charger; wherein the implantable pulse generator contains a voltage source, a current limiter, and an amplifier configured to charge the rechargeable battery based on power transmitted by the external charger; and wherein the external charger is configured to provide an indication that proper alignment exists between the rechargeable battery and the external charger based upon the current limiter determining that a maximum set current limit is received by the amplifier. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 11, wherein the indication of proper alignment is audible and/or tactile. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 11, wherein the external charger comprises a Class-E topology power amplifier configured to produce a magnetic field that induces power into the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of electrodes for delivering electrical pulses to a patient. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of leads connecting the plurality of electrodes to the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 15, further comprising an application-specific circuit (ASIC) that is configured to determine which of the plurality of electrodes actively provide electrical pulses to the patient. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 16, wherein the ASIC is configured to convert digital signals into analog signals that are ultimately provided to one or more of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 17, further comprising a microcontroller within the implantable pulse generator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 18, wherein the microcontroller is in electronic communication with the ASIC. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The spinal cord stimulation system of claim 19, wherein the ASIC is configured to deliver electrical signals to one or more of the plurality of electrodes when the microcontroller is in a standby mode.