Programmable body stimulator

In a body-implantable device for providing electrical stimulation to living animal tissue of the type having pulse generator means with at least one alterable output parameter, output means adapted for connection to said tissue and means responsive to externally generated signals for programming said output parameter in predetermined correspondence with said signals, the improvement wherein said programming means comprises:

• means for detecting first externally generated signals of predetermined characteristics;
• means responsive to detected first signals for generating a sequence of control signals, one control signal on the occurrence of each of said first signals;
• counter means having a plurality of sequential states and connected to receive said control signals for advancing its state in response to each control signal;
• means responsive to said control signals for resetting said counter means in response to the first control signal in a sequence of control signals;
• means for detecting second externally generated signals of predetermined characteristics discriminable from the characteristics of said first signals;
• and
• means responsive to detected second signals for enabling said control signal generating means only during the occurrence of said second signals.