Microstimulator employing improved recharging reporting and telemetry techniques

An implantable neural stimulator module, comprising:

• an hermetically-sealed housing;
• an electronic subassembly housed within said hermetically-sealed housing;
• a rechargeable power source contained within said hermetically-sealed housing and operatively connected to said electronic subassembly for providing operating power to said electronic subassembly;
• a first electrode external to said hermetically-sealed housing and electrically coupled to said electronic subassembly;
• a second electrode external to said hermetically-sealed housing and electrically coupled to said electronic subassembly;
• an antenna coil within said hermetically-sealed housing;
• and
• telemetry circuitry, coupled to said antenna coil, for allowing data-containing signals to be received from and sent to at least one external device,
• wherein the electronic subassembly measures a rectified voltage of the rechargeable power source during recharging of the rechargeable power source via an external charging field, and transmits the measured voltage to one of the at least one external devices, wherein the measured voltage is measured when no stimulation is being provided by the electronic subassembly.

An implantable neural stimulator module, comprising:

• an hermetically-sealed housing;
• an electronic subassembly housed within said hermetically-sealed housing;
• a rechargeable power source contained within said hermetically-sealed housing and operatively connected to said electronic subassembly for providing operating power to said electronic subassembly;
• a first electrode external to said hermetically-sealed housing and electrically coupled to said electronic subassembly;
• a second electrode external to said hermetically-sealed housing and electrically coupled to said electronic subassembly;
• and
• telemetry circuitry for allowing data-containing signals to be received from and sent to at least one external device,
• wherein the electronic subassembly measures a voltage of the rechargeable power source during recharging of the rechargeable power source via an external charging field, and transmits the measured voltage to one of the at least one external devices, wherein the measured voltage is measured when no stimulation is being provided by the electronic subassembly.