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AssigneeAlfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
InventorsRalph M. Weisner, David L. Canfield, Richard J. Nelson, Joseph H. Schulman
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A magnetic control system for selectively enabling/disabling an implantable device's operation using externally applied pulsed magnetic means, e.g., a controlled electromagnet or the like. Typically, such implantable devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate “independently” using the externally provided programmed information. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to stop/pause the operation of such selected implanted device while not affecting other such devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying pulsed magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc., and sensing these identifiable sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be enabled/disabled.
A system for selectively enabling/disabling at least a portion of the operation of an implantable device in response to an externally applied pulsed magnetic field, wherein said implantable device is configured for stimulating tissue within a patient's body and said implantable device is contained within a sealed elongated housing having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, said system comprising:
A system for selectively enabling/disabling at least a portion of the operation of an implantable device in response to an externally applied pulsed magnetic field, wherein said implantable device is configured for stimulating tissue within a patient's body, said system comprising:
An improved implantable device configured for stimulating tissue within a patient's body wherein said implantable device is contained within a sealed elongate housing having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, said system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.