Abstract: A hermetically sealed biocompatible pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. Anodic bonding of the pressure module package components which have similar thermal coefficients of expansion provides low stress bonding and maintains long term reliability, dependability and accuracy. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. Operating power for the pressure sensor module is provided by the external controller and an internal rechargeable energy storage component. Accordingly, the pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed biocompatible pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. Anodic bonding of the pressure module package components which have similar thermal coefficients of expansion provides low stress bonding and maintains long term reliability, dependability and accuracy. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. Operating power for the pressure sensor module is provided by the external controller and an internal rechargeable energy storage component. Accordingly, the pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. The pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system. An exemplary use is in a three pressure sensor system including a flow control valve in a shunt to treat hydrocephalus. An embodiment of the invention includes a pressure sensor and associated electromagnetic coils embedded in the tip portion of the shunt for measuring the pressure of fluid externally of the shunt at the tip portion.

Abstract: A brain implant device includes a housing containing communication and control electronics coupled to a conduit configured for monitoring signals from a brain's motor cortex and providing stimulation signals to the brain's sensory cortex. The brain implant device is capable of wireless communication with an external communication and control signal source by means of an antenna provided in the housing. The conduit is flexible and may contain upwards of 128 electrical conductors providing electrical connections between the device electronics and related sites on the motor and/or sensory cortex by means of a plurality of electrically conductive protuberances extending from the conduit and adapted for contact with such sites.

Abstract: A brain implant device includes a housing containing communication and control electronics coupled to a conduit configured for monitoring signals from a brain's motor cortex and providing stimulation signals to the brain's sensory cortex. The brain implant device is capable of wireless communication with an external communication and control signal source by means of an antenna provided in the housing. The conduit is flexible and may contain upwards of 128 electrical conductors providing electrical connections between the device electronics and related sites on the motor and/or sensory cortex by means of a plurality of electrically conductive protuberances extending from the conduit and adapted for contact with such sites.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed biocompatible pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. Anodic bonding of the pressure module package components which have similar thermal coefficients of expansion provides low stress bonding and maintains long term reliability, dependability and accuracy. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. Operating power for the pressure sensor module is provided by the external controller and an internal rechargeable energy storage component. Accordingly, the pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring temperature in a body, the system comprising at least one implantable device, wherein the implantable device(s) is operable to sense temperature in the body and to generate status signals based on the sensed temperature in the body. The system further comprising a system control unit for wirelessly communicating with the implantable device(s), and the system control unit comprising a signal receiver for receiving the status signals, and also a programmable controller for producing notification signals based on the received status signals. A notification unit can alternatively communicate with the system control unit or the implantable device(s) for disclosing the sensed body temperature based on the notification signals.

Abstract: An implantable sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically performing on a periodic basis, e.g., every 1 to 24 hours, specified integrity tests which verify proper operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A wireless implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the wireless device is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. The implantable device can download program instructions from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. Moreover, the implantable device provides for checking the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. The implantable device has power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for sensing an output of a sensor having at least one electrode pair and circuitry for obtaining and processing the sensor output. The electrode pair may be laid out such that one electrode is wrapped around the other electrode in a U-shaped fashion. The electronic circuitry may include, among other things, a line interface for interfacing with input/output lines, a rectifier in parallel with the line interface, a counter connected to the line interface and a data converter connected to the counter and the electrode pair. The data converter may be a current-to-frequency converter. In addition, the rectifier may derive power for the electronic circuit from communication pulses received on the input/output lines.

Abstract: An implantable substrate sensor has electronic circuitry and electrodes formed on opposite sides of a substrate. A protective coating covers the substrate, effectively hermetically sealing the electronic circuitry under the coating. Exposed areas of the electrodes are selectively left uncovered by the protective coating, thereby allowing such electrodes to be exposed to body tissue and fluids when the sensor is implanted in living tissue. The substrate on which the electronic circuitry and electrodes are formed is the same substrate or “chip” on which an integrated circuit (IC) is formed, which integrated circuit contains the desired electronic circuitry. Such approach eliminates the need for an hermetically sealed lid or cover to cover hybrid electronic circuitry, and allows the sensor to be made much thinner than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, two such substrate sensor may be placed back-to-back, with the electrodes facing outward.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc.

Abstract: A DC to DC transmission system includes at least three conductors between a source and a sink, a first switch which alternately connects each conductor to the source, a second switch which alternately connects each conductor to the sink. The switches are synchronized such that one conductor is alternately coupled between the same polarity side of the source and sink and another conductor is alternately coupled between the other polarity side of the source and sink. The alternating connection between the conductors and source and sink may be undertaken at a wide range of frequencies.

Abstract: A system, method and power/data transmission device comprising a coil having a high Q, a low-voltage driver and a high-voltage driver switchably coupled to the coil. The low-voltage driver and the high-voltage driver are controlled by a microcontroller and switch at about the same time thereby providing a modulated data signal for transmission. Furthermore, the system includes at least one implantable microstimulator coupled to the transmission device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring temperature in a body, the system comprising at least one implantable device, wherein the implantable device(s) is operable to sense temperature in the body and to generate status signals based on the sensed temperature in the body. The system further comprising a system control unit for wirelessly communicating with the implantable device(s), and the system control unit comprising a signal receiver for receiving the status signals, and also a programmable controller for producing notification signals based on the received status signals. A notification unit can alternatively communicate with the system control unit or the implantable device(s) for disclosing the sensed body temperature based on the notification signals.

Abstract: An implantable device and a wireless communication integrated circuit (IC) implementable in the implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the communication IC is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. Moreover, the implantable device and the communication IC provide for checking of the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the desired operation of the implantable device. The implantable device and the communication IC therein have power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges. A further embodiment provides a robust communication IC, whereby signal distortion or interference between the analog and digital components collectively residing on the same communication IC is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A device configured for implanting beneath a patient's skin for the purpose of tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle, stimulation and/or parameter monitoring and/or data communication. Devices in accordance with the invention are comprised of a sealed housing, typically having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, having a non-circular, e.g., an oval or polygon shaped, cross-section containing a power source for powering electronic circuitry within including a controller, an address storage means, a data signal receiver and an input/output transducer. When used as a stimulator, such a device is useful in a wide variety of applications to stimulate nerves and associated neural pathways. Alternatively, devices of the present invention are configurable to monitor a biological parameter. Furthermore, a placement structure is shown for facilitating placement of the implantable device proximate to neural/muscular tissue.

Abstract: An implantable substrate sensor has electronic circuitry and electrodes formed on opposite sides of a substrate. A protective coating covers the substrate, effectively hermetically sealing the electronic circuitry under the coating. Exposed areas of the electrodes are selectively left uncovered by the protective coating, thereby allowing such electrodes to be exposed to body tissue and fluids when the sensor is implanted in living tissue. The substrate on which the electronic circuitry and electrodes are formed is the same substrate or “chip” on which an integrated circuit (IC) is formed, which integrated circuit contains the desired electronic circuitry. Such approach eliminates the need for an hermetically sealed lid or cover to cover hybrid electronic circuitry, and allows the sensor to be made much thinner than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, two such substrate sensors may be placed back-to-back, with the electrodes facing outward.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-mode crystal oscillator system selectively configurable to minimize power consumption or noise generation. Such a system is particularly applicable to the communication system of an implantable device, e.g., the microstimulator/sensor device described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,164,284 and 6,185,452. In such devices, their small size limits the size of the battery contained within and thus makes it essential to minimize power consumption. Additionally, the small size and battery capacity result in a limited transmission power. Furthermore, the small size limits the antenna efficiency which makes it desirable to limit any noise generation to maximize the signal-to-noise level of the resulting receive signal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention alternatively supply power to the oscillator in either a first mode that minimizes power consumption or a second mode that minimizes noise generation.