Active current control using the enclosure of an implanted pulse generator

A neurostimulation medical system, comprising:

• a controller circuit configured to generate control signals in response to external programming signals;
• a stimulation circuit configured to generate stimulation signals in response to the control signals;
• a plurality of distal electrodes;
• a plurality of conductors configured to deliver the stimulation signals from the stimulation circuit to the electrodes;
• and
• an enclosure that houses the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure containing at least one electrically conductive area, wherein the distal electrodes are coupled to the stimulation circuit through the enclosure, wherein the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit are configured to ramp up a current at the enclosure during an initial calibration stage and determine therefrom a first current level corresponding to a perception threshold at the enclosure and a second current level corresponding to a pain threshold at the enclosure;
• wherein the stimulation circuit is configured to:
• energize a first subset of the distal electrodes with a first polarity;
• energize a second subset of the distal electrodes with a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second subset being different from the first subset;
• and
• energize the enclosure with one of the first and second polarities, and wherein the energized enclosure is programmed by the controller circuit to actively sink or source an amount of electrical current that is capped at one of:
• the first current level corresponding to the perception threshold, and the second current level corresponding to the pain threshold.

A neurostimulation medical system, comprising:

• a controller circuit configured to generate control signals in response to external programming signals;
• a stimulation circuit configured to generate stimulation signals in response to the control signals;
• a distal electrode array that is implantable in a human body;
• a plurality of conductors configured to deliver the stimulation signals from the stimulation circuit to the electrodes;
• and
• a housing component that houses the stimulation circuit therein, the housing component containing at least one electrically conductive area, wherein the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit are configured to ramp up a current at the housing component during an initial calibration stage and determine therefrom a first current level corresponding to a perception threshold at the housing component and a second current level corresponding to a pain threshold at the housing component;
• wherein:
• the stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels, a first subset of the stimulation channels being electrically coupled to the conductors, and a second subset of the stimulation channels being electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component;
• and
• the stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component, and wherein the housing component, while functioning as a part of the second subset of the stimulation channels, actively sinks or sources a programmed amount of electrical current that is capped at one of:
• the first current level corresponding to the perception threshold and the second current level corresponding to the pain threshold.

A neurostimulation medical system, comprising:

• a controller circuit configured to generate control signals in response to external programming signals;
• a stimulation circuit configured to generate stimulation signals in response to the control signals, wherein the stimulation circuit contains a plurality of current sources, and wherein at least a subset of the current sources each include at least one adjustable electrical supply;
• a plurality of implantable distal electrodes;
• a lead wire coupling assembly for electrically coupling the stimulation circuit to the distal electrodes;
• and
• an enclosure that houses the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure having at least one electrically conductive portion, wherein at least one of the current sources in the subset is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive portion of the enclosure, wherein the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit are configured to ramp up a current at the enclosure during an initial calibration stage and determine therefrom a first current level corresponding to a perception threshold at the enclosure and a second current level corresponding to a pain threshold at the enclosure, and wherein the enclosure is programmed by the controller circuit to actively sink or source an amount of electrical current that is capped at one of:
• the first current level and the second current level.

A neurostimulation medical system, comprising:

• a controller circuit configured to generate control signals in response to external programming signals;
• a stimulation circuit configured to generate stimulation signals in response to the control signals;
• a remote electrode array;
• a plurality of lead wires configured to provide electrical pulses generated by the stimulation circuit to the remote electrode array;
• and
• an enclosure that surrounds the stimulation circuit, the enclosure containing at least one electrically conductive area, wherein the lead wires are coupled to the stimulation circuit through the enclosure, wherein the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit are configured to ramp up a current at the enclosure during an initial calibration stage and determine therefrom a first current level corresponding to a perception threshold at the enclosure and a second current level corresponding to a pain threshold at the enclosure;
• wherein the stimulation circuit is configured to:
• cause a first stimulation path to be formed within the remote electrode array;
• and
• cause a second stimulation path to be formed from the remote electrode array to the enclosure;
• wherein the enclosure is programmed to actively sink or source an amount of electrical current that is capped at one of:
• the first current level corresponding to the perception threshold, and the second current level corresponding to the pain threshold.

A neurostimulation medical system, comprising:

• a controller circuit configured to generate control signals in response to external programming signals;
• a stimulation circuit configured to generate stimulation signals in response to the control signals, wherein the stimulation signals can stimulate a body tissue, and wherein the stimulation circuit includes one or more adjustable electrical supplies;
• one or more distal electrodes;
• a coupling mechanism configured to electrically couple the stimulation circuit to the one or more distal electrodes;
• and
• an enclosure that houses the stimulation circuit therein, the enclosure containing at least one electrically conductive portion, wherein the controller circuit and the stimulation circuit are configured to ramp up a current at the enclosure during an initial calibration stage and determine therefrom a first current level corresponding to a perception threshold at the enclosure and a second current level corresponding to a pain threshold at the enclosure;
• wherein the stimulation circuit is configured to simultaneously drive the enclosure through the conductive portion and drive at least a subset of the distal electrodes, wherein the driven enclosure is programmed to actively sink or source an amount of electrical current that is capped at one of:
• the first current level and the second current level.