Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless implantable communication system, method and sensing device, wherein an implantable data conversion module is adapted for operative coupling to a distinct or integrated implantable sensing device for the conversion of a characteristic signal for transmission thereof to an external receiver, e.g. by way of an inductive element. Upon positioning an external inductive element in the vicinity of the implanted device, a corresponding signal is induced within the external element allowing for reconstruction of the converted signal, and thereby allowing for recovery of the characteristic signal. Embodiments for the communication of data across a biological barrier, including communications from an external transmitter to an implanted receiver, an implanted transmitter to an external receiver, and an implanted transmitter/receiver pair are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless implantable communication system, method and sensing device, wherein an implantable data conversion module is adapted for operative coupling to a distinct or integrated implantable sensing device for the conversion of a characteristic signal for transmission thereof to an external receiver, e.g. by way of an inductive element. Upon positioning an external inductive element in the vicinity of the implanted device, a corresponding signal is induced within the external element allowing for reconstruction of the converted signal, and thereby allowing for recovery of the characteristic signal. Embodiments for the communication of data across a biological barrier, including communications from an external transmitter to an implanted receiver, an implanted transmitter to an external receiver, and an implanted transmitter/receiver pair are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control method and system are provided for regulating operation of power factor correction rectifiers based on the non-symmetric boost converter topology. Control of both the front-end stage is enabled taking sinusoidal current from the utility network and a downstream converter providing isolated DC output voltage. Also provided are a method and system for reducing volume of reactive components in boost-based rectifiers with power factor correction. Flux density through the inductor is reduced with a biasing inductor current having a much lower frequency than the switching frequency of the converter.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a power controller. A method may include comparing a summation voltage comprising a sum of an amplified error voltage and a reference voltage with an estimated voltage to generate a comparator output signal. The method may also include generating a gate drive signal from the comparator output signal and filtering a signal coupled to a power stage to generate the estimated voltage.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation.

Abstract: A control method and system are provided for regulating operation of power factor correction rectifiers based on the non-symmetric boost converter topology. Control of both the front-end stage is enabled taking sinusoidal current from the utility network and a downstream converter providing isolated DC output voltage. Also provided are a method and system for reducing volume of reactive components in boost-based rectifiers with power factor correction. Flux density through the inductor is reduced with a biasing inductor current having a much lower frequency than the switching frequency of the converter.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a power controller. A method may include comparing a summation voltage comprising a sum of an amplified error voltage and a reference voltage with an estimated voltage to generate a comparator output signal. The method may also include generating a gate drive signal from the comparator output signal and filtering a signal coupled to a power stage to generate the estimated voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a cascaded converter has an upstream converter and a downstream converter coupled in series. An energy storage element is provided between the two converters for providing constant energy and to respond to a load step in the load of the system. An upstream controller is connected to the output of the downstream controller to control the duty cycle of the upstream converter as a function of the duty cycle of the downstream controller. The upstream converter controls the duty cycle of the upstream converter in order to maintain the duty cycle of the second converter at a substantially constant reference value. This control of the converters allows for reduction of the energy storage requirements of the cascaded system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless implantable communication system, method and sensing device, wherein an implantable data conversion module is adapted for operative coupling to a distinct or integrated implantable sensing device for the conversion of a characteristic signal for transmission thereof to an external receiver, e.g. by way of an inductive element. Upon positioning an external inductive element in the vicinity of the implanted device, a corresponding signal is induced within the external element allowing for reconstruction of the converted signal, and thereby allowing for recovery of the characteristic signal. Embodiments for the communication of data across a biological barrier, including communications from an external transmitter to an implanted receiver, an implanted transmitter to an external receiver, and an implanted transmitter/receiver pair are also disclosed.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, apparatus and method of a PFC rectifier having a programmable output voltage that does not incur a drastic penalty in the overall size or volume of the device, or a significant degradation in efficiency. The PFC rectifier of the present invention may incorporate a two-stage solution for output voltage regulation. The present invention provides a topology of a small-size/volume PFC rectifier with a variable (i.e. programmable) output voltage and a complementary control method. The two-stage system of the present invention incorporates a smaller and lower cost capacitor than the bulky size and costly energy storage capacitors required in conventional prior art. The present invention also achieves tight output regulation. The two-stage topology of the present invention further achieves on-line efficiency optimization and significantly reduces the volume of the downstream stage over the prior art examples through dynamic adjustment of the downstream stage supply voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation.

Abstract: What is described is a battery management architecture that eliminates previously described problems of the previous solutions and compensates for the extra cost of a cell-balancing circuit. These advantages are achieved by integrating the voltage step-up and balancing functions as well as charging functions inside a single converter topology. Instead of providing the entire output voltage and power, the converter in this configuration is merely assisting the battery by providing a portion of the power delivered to the load, rather than the entirety of the power delivered to the load. This portion of power is proportional to the difference between the output and the battery pack voltages.

Abstract: What is described is a battery management architecture that eliminates previously described problems of the previous solutions and compensates for the extra cost of a cell-balancing circuit. These advantages are achieved by integrating the voltage step-up and balancing functions as well as charging functions inside a single converter topology. Instead of providing the entire output voltage and power, the converter in this configuration is merely assisting the battery by providing a portion of the power delivered to the load, rather than the entirety of the power delivered to the load. This portion of power is proportional to the difference between the output and the battery pack voltages.

Abstract: A circuit converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The circuit includes a first stage voltage converter that receives the input voltage and converts the input voltage. The first stage voltage converter includes a first buck converter having a double rail output: a first rail at a high intermediate voltage and a second rail at a low intermediate voltage. The circuit also includes a second stage voltage converter that receives the output rails and produces the output voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, apparatus and method of a PFC rectifier having a programmable output voltage that does not incur a drastic penalty in the overall size or volume of the device, or a significant degradation in efficiency. The PFC rectifier of the present invention may incorporate a two-stage solution for output voltage regulation. The present invention provides a topology of a small-size/volume PFC rectifier with a variable (i.e. programmable) output voltage and a complementary control method. The two-stage system of the present invention incorporates a smaller and lower cost capacitor than the bulky size and costly energy storage capacitors required in conventional prior art. The present invention also achieves tight output regulation. The two-stage topology of the present invention further achieves on-line efficiency optimization and significantly reduces the volume of the downstream stage over the prior art examples through dynamic adjustment of the downstream stage supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is a voltage mode digital controller for low-power high-frequency dc-dc converters that has recovery time approaching physical limitations of a given power stage. It consists of a digital controller with load transient response approaching physical limitations of a given power stage that is suitable for low-power SMPS. In one aspect the invention is a method of utilizing a continuous-time digital signal processor (CT-DSP) for regulation of the operation of switch-mode power supplies. A CT-DSP can be used to instantaneously detect changes of voltage or current during transition periods and immediately perform control action that results in the fastest possible response. The invention may include current program mode controllers for SMPS where the input current is sensed as well as power factor correction rectifiers (PFC), where often input voltage, input current and output voltage are sensed.

Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus has a power circuit unit, the power circuit unit including a first switching element connected at a first end to a first end of a power supply, an inductor connected at a first end thereof to a second end of the first switching element, a second output terminal connected to a second end of the inductor, a capacitor connected between a first output terminal and the second output terminal, and a second switching element connected between a second end of the power supply and a second end of the first switching element. The switching power supply apparatus has an optimal response multi-mode digital current program mode control unit, the optimal response multi-mode digital current program mode control unit including an error signal generator which generates an error signal according to a potential difference between an output voltage and a preset voltage, and an inductor current detector which detects and amplifies an inductor current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a power controller. A method may include comparing a summation voltage comprising a sum of an amplified error voltage and a reference voltage with an estimated voltage to generate a comparator output signal. The method may also include generating a gate drive signal from the comparator output signal and filtering a signal coupled to a power stage to generate the estimated voltage.