US 7,637,867 B2 · Methods for configuring implantable satellite effectors

Abstract

Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for configuring one or more effectors situated within a satellite unit that resides in a subject's body, wherein

the satellite unit includes a number of effectors that interact with the subject's body, and satellite circuitry that is coupled to a bus, and
the bus includes first and second conduction paths with at least a portion of the second conduction path comprising the subject's body when the satellite unit is located within the subject's body,
the method comprising:
receiving signals over the bus;
and
based on the signals received over the bus,
deriving a relatively stable DC voltage for supplying the circuitry,
recovering clock and digital data,
interpreting bit sequences in the digital data to extract configuration information, and
using the bit sequences to store configuration information for the one or more desired effectors;
and
receiving a sleep command over the bus that causes a certain part of the satellite circuitry to turn off while the effectors remain in a configured state.

9 more elements

A method for configuring one or more effectors situated within a satellite unit that resides along a carrier located in a subject's body, wherein

the satellite unit includes a number of effectors that interact with the subject's body, and satellite circuitry that is coupled to a bus, and
the bus includes first and second conduction paths with at least a portion the first conduction path being insulated from the subject's body when the carrier is located within the subject's body,
the method comprising:
receiving signals over the bus;
and,
based on the signals received over the bus,
deriving a relatively stable DC voltage for supplying the circuitry,
recovering clock and digital data,
interpreting bit sequences in the digital data to extract address information, and
at least for cases where the address information matches stored address information, using the bit sequences to configure one or more desired effectors to be coupled to the first or the second conduction paths of the bus;
and
receiving a sleep command over the bus that causes a certain part of the satellite circuitry to turn off while the effectors remain in a configured state.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for configuring implantable satellite effectors

Life of this patent

Methods for configuring implantable satellite effectors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13