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AssigneeAlfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
InventorsJoseph H. Schulman, Gerald E. Loeb, John C. Gord, Primoz Strojnik
Estimating the term…
An addressable, implantable microstimulator is substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing inert to body fluids, and of a size and shape capable of implantation in a living body, by expulsion through a hypodermic needle. Power and information for operating the microstimulator is received through a modulated, alternating magnetic field in which a coil is adapted to function as the secondary winding of a transformer. Electrical energy is stored in capacitor means and is released into the living body by controlled, stimulating pulses which pass through body fluids and tissue between the exposed electrodes of the microstimulator. Detection and decoding means within the microstimulator are provided for controlling the stimulating pulses in accordance with the modulation of the received, alternating magnetic field. Means for controllably recharging the capacitor is provided.
An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, said microstimulator comprising:
An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing inert to body fluids, said microstimulator being adapted to electrically stimulate living tissue of a body wherein said microstimulator is implanted, said microstimulator having means for receiving a modulated, alternating magnetic field providing power and information, stimulating circuit means comprising two electrodes and capacitor means for storing received electrical energy, said two electrodes adapted to be disposed in one or more of body tissue and connected in series circuit with said capacitor means for discharging said capacitor at least partially into said fluids and tissue, providing a stimulating pulse thereto, means responsive to modulations of said received energy to control the duration of said stimulating pulses to specific values within predetermined ranges and to control the current amplitude of said stimulating pulses to within specific values within predetermined ranges and means for providing a balancing current flow, between said two electrodes, between said stimulating pulses, in the opposite direction from said stimulating pulses.
An implantable microstimulator substantially encapsulated within a hermetically-sealed housing which is inert to body fluids, said microstimulator having a coil for receiving an alternating magnetic field, stimulating electrode means at one end and a counter electrode at the other end, capacitor means in circuit with said stimulating electrode means and means for controllably charging said capacitor means from voltage induced in said coil, means for at least partly discharging said capacitor means through said electrode means and said counter electrode into a body wherein said microstimulator is implanted and means for controllably recharging said capacitor means.
An implantable microstimulator having a housing, said microstimulator having inert, metallic electrode means comprising at least two electrodes electrically connected to the inside of said housing through a hermetic seal, one electrode being disposed at or near one end of said housing and the other electrode at or near the other end of said housing, electronic control circuitry and capacitor means disposed within said housing and connected between one of said electrodes and said electronic control circuitry, induction means comprising a coil for receiving a modulated, alternating magnetic field to provide power and control information for said microstimulator, said electronic control circuitry connected in circuit with said coil and said second electrode and providing control and electrical energy for the charge of said capacitor means and, at least partial discharge, of said capacitor means through said electrode means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.