Telemetry system for use with microstimulator

An implantable microstimulator, comprising

• an hermetically-sealed housing
• an electronic subassembly housed within the hermetically-sealed housing;
• a power source contained within the hermetically-sealed housing and operatively connected to the electronic subassembly for providing operating power to the electronic subassembly;
• first and second electrodes external to the hermetically-sealed housing and electrically coupled to the electronic subassembly;
• an antenna within the hermetically-sealed housing;
• and
• telemetry circuitry, coupled to the antenna for allowing data-containing signals to be received from at least one external unit through a first radio frequency (RF) telemetry link, and for allowing data-containing signals to be received from at least one external unit through a second inductive telemetry link.

An implantable microstimulator, comprising:

• an hermetically-sealed housing;
• a first electrode and a second electrode for stimulating tissue, each electrode external to the hermetically-sealed housing;
• an antenna within the hermetically-sealed housing;
• and
• telemetry circuitry coupled to the antenna for receiving data-containing signals from at least one external device, said telemetry circuitry comprising
• a first telemetry receiver for receiving data in accordance with a first telemetry scheme, and
• a second telemetry receiver for receiving data in accordance with a second telemetry scheme.