Abstract: A new architecture is disclosed for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits (ICs). The electrode outputs on the ICs are wired together. Each IC can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in master and slave ICs are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other IC so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: A new architecture is disclosed for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits (ICs). The electrode outputs on the ICs are wired together. Each IC can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in master and slave ICs are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other IC so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes communication circuitry that enables the IMD to communicate via a network such as the Internet. A security routine is executed on the IMD to determine whether the IMD is capable over communicating via the network. If so, the IMD requests an identifier of current firmware stored on a server that is connected to the communication network. The identifier of the current firmware is compared to an identifier of firmware that is installed on the IMD. If the installed firmware is the same as the current firmware on the server, a timer is reset, but if the installed firmware cannot be verified as matching the current firmware on the server (e.g., because the IMD is not capable of communicating via the network), the timer continues to run. When the timer expires, the IMD is prevented from communicating via the network until further action is taken.

Abstract: A new architecture is disclosed for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits (ICs). The electrode outputs on the ICs are wired together. Each IC can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in master and slave ICs are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other IC so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new architecture for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits. The electrode outputs on the integrated circuits are wired together. Each integrated circuit can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in each of the master and slave integrated circuits are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other integrated circuit so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes communication circuitry that enables the IMD to communicate via a network such as the Internet. A security routine is executed on the IMD to determine whether the IMD is capable over communicating via the network. If so, the IMD requests an identifier of current firmware stored on a server that is connected to the communication network. The identifier of the current firmware is compared to an identifier of firmware that is installed on the IMD. If the installed firmware is the same as the current firmware on the server, a timer is reset, but if the installed firmware cannot be verified as matching the current firmware on the server (e.g., because the IMD is not capable of communicating via the network), the timer continues to run. When the timer expires, the IMD is prevented from communicating via the network until further action is taken.

Abstract: Methods and circuitry for determining an implanted-neurostimulator patient's position, and adjusting a situation program delivered by the neurostimulator based on the determined position, is disclosed. Impedance measurements of the patient's tissue are taken at the neurostimulator's electrodes, which measurements can comprise complex impedance measurements (magnitude and phase) taken at different frequencies. Such impedance measurements, which can be taken interleaved with stimulation therapy, are used to determine an “impedance fingerprint.” This fingerprint can be compared to other known fingerprints stored in the IPG, which known fingerprints are associated with particular stimulation programs. When a measured fingerprint matches one stored in the IPG, the stimulation program associated with the stored fingerprint is automatically used for patient therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new architecture for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits. The electrode outputs on the integrated circuits are wired together. Each integrated circuit can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in each of the master and slave integrated circuits are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other integrated circuit so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new architecture for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits. The electrode outputs on the integrated circuits are wired together. Each integrated circuit can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in each of the master and slave integrated circuits are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other integrated circuit so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: Methods and circuitry for determining an implanted-neurostimulator patient's position, and adjusting a situation program delivered by the neurostimulator based on the determined position, is disclosed. Impedance measurements of the patient's tissue are taken at the neurostimulator's electrodes, which measurements can comprise complex impedance measurements (magnitude and phase) taken at different frequencies. Such impedance measurements, which can be taken interleaved with stimulation therapy, are used to determine an “impedance fingerprint.” This fingerprint can be compared to other known fingerprints stored in the IPG, which known fingerprints are associated with particular stimulation programs. When a measured fingerprint matches one stored in the IPG, the stimulation program associated with the stored fingerprint is automatically used for patient therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new architecture for an IPG having a master and slave electrode driver integrated circuits. The electrode outputs on the integrated circuits are wired together. Each integrated circuit can be programmed to provide pulses with different frequencies. Active timing channels in each of the master and slave integrated circuits are programmed to provide the desired pulses, while shadow timing channels in the master and slave are programmed with the timing data from the active timing channels in the other integrated circuit so that each chip knows when the other is providing a pulse, so that each chip can disable its recovery circuitry so as not to defeat those pulses. In the event of pulse overlap at a given electrode, the currents provided by each chip will add at the affected electrode. Compliance voltage generation is dictated by an algorithm to find an optimal compliance voltage even during periods when pulses are overlapping.

Abstract: Circuitry for generating a compliance voltage (V+) for the current sources and/or sinks in an implantable stimulator device in disclosed. The circuitry assesses whether V+ is optimal for a given pulse, and if not, adjusts V+ for the next pulse. The circuitry uses amplifiers to measure the voltage drop across active PDACs (current sources) and NDAC (current sinks) at an appropriate time during the pulse. The measured voltages are assessed to determine whether they are high or low relative to optimal values. If low, a V+ regulator is controlled to increase V+ for the next pulse; if not, the V+ regulator is controlled to decrease V+ for the next pulse. Through this approach, gradual changes that may be occurring in the implant environment can be accounted for, with V+ adjusted on a pulse-by-pulse basis to keep the voltage drops at or near optimal levels for efficient DAC operation.

Abstract: An improved architecture for an implantable medical device such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the various functional blocks for the IPG are incorporated into a signal integrated circuit (IC). Each of the functional blocks communicates with each other, and with other off-chip devices if necessary, via a centralized bus governed by a communication protocol. To communicate with the bus and to adhere to the protocol, each circuit block includes bus interface circuitry adherent with that protocol. Because each block complies with the protocol, any given block can easily be modified or upgraded without affecting the design of the other blocks, facilitating debugging and upgrading of the IPG circuitry. Moreover, because the centralized bus can be taken off the integrated circuit, extra circuitry can easily be added off chip to modify or add functionality to the IPG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to secure paring of electronically controlled devices configured to communicate with each other. A medical system is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the system comprising a first communication link allowing a first group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit, and a second communication link allowing a second group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit. Different properties of the communication links may be used to ensure that certain data, e.g. during pairing of the two devices, can be transmitted in a more controlled way whereas other data can be transmitted in a less controlled way.

Abstract: An improved implantable pulse generator (IPG) containing graceful shutdown circuitry is disclosed. A magnet sensor senses the presence of an emergency shutdown magnet. Output of the magnet sensor is conditioned by a signal conditioning circuit. Output of the signal conditioning circuit is delayed by a delay element before being fed to a power cut-off switch, which cuts-off power to the IPG circuitry. An interrupt signal is routed from before the delay element to the IPG processor as an indicator of imminent shutdown. The processor launches shutdown routine that carries out shutdown operations such as logging the emergency shutdown event, saving and closing open files, saving data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory, etc., before the power cut-off switch is activated upon elapsing of delay provided by the delay element. The magnet sensor, signal conditioning circuit, and delay element are powered separately from the rest of the circuitry of the IPG.

Abstract: An improved implantable pulse generator (IPG) containing graceful shutdown circuitry is disclosed. A magnet sensor senses the presence of an emergency shutdown magnet. Output of the magnet sensor is conditioned by a signal conditioning circuit. Output of the signal conditioning circuit is delayed by a delay element before being fed to a power cut-off switch, which cuts-off power to the IPG circuitry. An interrupt signal is routed from before the delay element to the IPG processor as an indicator of imminent shutdown. The processor launches shutdown routine that carries out shutdown operations such as logging the emergency shutdown event, saving and closing open files, saving data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory, etc., before the power cut-off switch is activated upon elapsing of delay provided by the delay element. The magnet sensor, signal conditioning circuit, and delay element are powered separately from the rest of the circuitry of the IPG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to secure paring of electronically controlled devices adapted to communicate with each other. Thus, a medical system is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the system comprising first means of communication allowing a first group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit, and second means of communication allowing a second group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit. In this way different properties of the two means of communication can be used to secure that certain data, e.g. during pairing of the two devices, can be transmitted in a more controlled way whereas other data can be transmitted in a less controlled way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to secure paring of electronically controlled devices adapted to communicate with each other. Thus, a medical system is provided comprising a first unit and a second unit, the system comprising first means of communication allowing a first group of data types to be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit, the first unit comprising an acoustic transducer having a transducer coil with a plurality of windings, the transducer coil serving as an antenna for wireless signals transmitted between the first and second units. In this way a “par-=asite” property of the acoustic transducer can be used, i.e. using the coil as a receiving means, thereby replacing a receiving structure, e.g. a separate receiver coil or an antenna, which would otherwise have to be provided, this reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An implantable microstimulator configured to be implanted beneath a patient's skin for tissue stimulation employs a bi-directional RF telemetry link for allowing data-containing signals to be sent to and from the implantable microstimulator from at least two external devices. Further, a separate electromagnetic inductive telemetry link allows data containing signals to be sent to the implantable microstimulator from at least one of the two external devices. The RF bidirectional telemetry link allows the microstimulator to inform the patient or clinician regarding the status of the microstimulator device, including the charge level of a power source, and stimulation parameter states. The microstimulator has a cylindrical hermetically sealed case having a length no greater than about 27 mm and a diameter no greater than about 3.3 mm. A reference electrode is located on one end of the case and an active electrode is located on the other end of the case.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for generating a compliance voltage from a battery voltage in an implantable stimulator device. In one embodiment, the battery voltage is boosted to form the compliance voltage for driving the current sources (DACs) that provide therapeutic current to the electrodes on the device. Such improved boosting circuitry is preferably cascaded and comprises two stages. The first stage is preferably a step-up converter, which is used to generate an intermediate voltage from the battery voltage. The second stage is preferably a charge pump, which is used to generate the compliance voltage from the intermediate voltage. By splitting the boosting into stages, power efficiency during generation of high voltages is improved compared to the use of step-up converters and resolution in setting the compliance voltage is improved compared to the use of charge pumps alone.