Abstract: Apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform to an electrode of an implantable medical device. The stimulation waveform comprises at least one stimulation pulse. The embodiment of the invention supports a generation of a stimulation pulse in which an amplitude and an electrical polarity of the stimulation pulse can be dynamically changed. The embodiment comprises a capacitor arrangement, a regulator and a switching array. The capacitor arrangement can be reconfigured with respect to an electrical reference through the switching array in order for the regulator to deliver the stimulation pulse to a pair of electrodes. In another embodiment, a plurality of stimulation waveforms are generated in which different stimulation waveforms are associated with different electrodes. With the embodiment, a plurality of regulators are connected and reconfigured to the capacitor arrangement in order that the different stimulation waveforms are generated by different regulators.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The stimulation waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. Each rate period interval is partitioned into time intervals, during which stimulation pulses, recharging, and time duration delays may be induced. With the embodiment of the invention, a second stimulation pulse, having different electrical characteristics than a first stimulation pulse, may be generated during the rate period interval. An embodiment utilizes apparatus comprising a waveform controller and a waveform generator that are controlled by the waveform controller. The waveform controller uses waveform parameters to instruct the waveform generator to form stimulation pulses. Any of the components may be adjusted or deleted in the generation of the stimulation waveform.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the invention, apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform (that comprises at least a stimulation pulse) to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. A portion of the rate period interval is identified, in which the portion comprises at least one phase. During each phase, the stimulation waveform is synthesized by a waveform controller and a waveform generator. The waveform controller utilizes waveform parameters, e.g. the initial value, final value, and step time duration, to form a digital signal to the waveform generator. The waveform generator utilizes the digital signal to form the synthesized waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring capacitive elements of an implantable medical device system for device failure and responding thereto. A therapy measurement block monitors a charge value across one or more capacitive elements. If the charge value falls outside a prescribed range, indicating possible failure in the capacitive element, the system removes from service the capacitive element and its associated regulator, notifies the implantable neuro stimulator of the failure and/or takes appropriate corrective measures.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the invention, apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform to an electrode of an Implantable Neurological Stimulator (INS). The embodiment provides a time delay interval between a first stimulation pulse and a recharging of the apparatus, in which the time delay interval is adjustable. The embodiment utilizes apparatus comprising a waveform controller and a waveform generator that is controlled by the waveform controller. With a variation of the embodiment, the apparatus utilizes passive recharging. In another variation of the embodiment, the apparatus utilizes a second stimulation to balance an accumulated charge. In another embodiment of the invention, a clinician is able to adjust the time delay interval through a telemetry channel. The waveform controller receives information about the time delay interval, and the waveform control instructs the waveform generator to adjust the time delay interval.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for independently delivering a plurality of therapy programs in an implantable medical device. A therapy controller configures the device to generate independent pulse trains associated with a plurality of therapy programs and dynamically configures the electrodes to deliver the independent pulse trains to the patient. Once configured, the implantable medical device delivers the plurality of therapy programs to the patient wherein the therapy programs may overlap in time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that will allow for external communication, via an external programmer, for positive device identification and for retrieval of device or patient information stored by an implantable medical device with a depleted power source. The external programmer will deliver energy to a secondary power source located inside the implanted device using RF telemetry sufficient to charge up the secondary power source, e.g., a small capacitor. The capacitor will charge up immediately within milliseconds. Once the secondary power source is sufficiently charged, it can be used to power up a controller having the stored information in the implantable medical device. Once the controller is operational, the implanted device will transmit device and patient information to the external programmer via RF telemetry.

Abstract: A power management system and technique to manage and allocate the energy provided to various components of an implanted device during periods of low energy. The power management system includes an implantable power source delivering energy to various components within the implantable medical device, a measurement device to measure the energy of the power source, and a processor responsive to the measurement device. The processor monitors the energy level of the power source. During periods of low energy, the processor limits the energy to certain device-critical components of the implantable medical device. This minimizes the risk of damage to the power source resulting from high energy drain during periods of low energy. Further, this preserves operation of device-critical components of the implanted device during periods of low energy.

Abstract: A stimulation device for screening therapeutic effects from electrical stimulation of electrically excitable tissue. The stimulation device includes inputs such that the user can easily select the polarity, amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate of the respective stimulation signal applied on each of the implanted electrodes. Alternatively, the stimulation device automatically sets those parameters of the stimulation signal with parameters that have historically produced high ratings of therapeutic effect. The user then enters a rating of the therapeutic effect that results from the application of those stimulation signals on the implanted electrodes. The stimulation device is designed to also include a casing such that the stimulation device is adapted to be portable. Because the stimulation device of the present invention is also inexpensive, the user can carry this device around during normal daily activities of the user during the screening process.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an implantable pump is programmed non-invasively by means of a programmer that communicates flow rate information by means of radio frequency telemetry or other methods of non-invasive telemetry. The programmer also supplies power to the implantable pump during programming. The implanted rate-adjustable pump that receives rate information and power by telemetry preferably does not include a battery or any other type of internal power supply, relying only on the energy obtained from the programmer through telemetry.

Abstract: Electrode construction and assembly for energy storage devices such as capacitors and batteries wherein the electrodes, both anode and cathode, are of one piece construction folded and interleaved to provide an electrode assembly of improved operation.