Architectures for sharing of current sources in an implantable medical device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11697022-B2
Application number	US-202117146158-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2021
Priority date	Jun 29, 2011
Publication date	Jul 11, 2023
Grant date	Jul 11, 2023

Abstract

A group select matrix is added to an implantable stimulator device to allow current sources to be dedicated to particular groups of electrodes at a given time. The group select matrix can time multiplex the current sources to the different groups of electrodes to allow therapy pulses to be delivered at the various groups of electrodes in an interleaved fashion. Each of the groups of electrodes may be confined to a particular electrode array implantable at a particular non-overlapping location in a patient's body. A switch matrix can be used in conjunction with the group select matrix to provide further flexibility to couple the current sources to any of the electrodes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:
a plurality of electrodes configured to provide a stimulation current to a patient, wherein the plurality of electrodes are divided into a plurality of groups;
P current sources, wherein P comprises a plural number;
logic circuitry;
a switch matrix having N switch matrix outputs, wherein N comprises a plural number, wherein the switch matrix is controllable by a plurality of first control signals, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to assert at least two of the first control signals, wherein each of the at least two first control signals is configured to couple a different one of the P current sources to a different one of the N switch matrix outputs; and
a group selection matrix configured to receive the N switch matrix outputs and controllable by X group control signal lines, wherein X comprises a plural number,
wherein the logic circuitry in response to at least one stimulation program is configured to assert at least one of the X group control signal lines, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to assert each of the at least one of the X group control signal lines at different times to couple the N switch matrix outputs to a different one of the groups.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the switch matrix is controllable by P times N first control signals.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein there are X groups, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to assert the X group control signal lines, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to assert each of the X group control signal lines at the different times to couple the N switch matrix outputs to a different one of the X groups.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is in only one of the X groups.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the logic circuitry further comprises arbitration logic to cause the X group control signal lines to be asserted at the different times.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein there are N electrodes in each of the groups.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arrays each comprising a different one of the groups, wherein each array is configured to be implanted at a different location in a patient.

8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an array, wherein the plurality of the groups are located on the array.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the logic circuitry is configured to assert each of the at least one of the X group control signal lines at different times to simultaneously couple the N switch matrix outputs to a different one of the groups.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the logic circuitry comprises a microcontroller.

Assignees

• Boston Scient Neuromodulation Corp

Inventors

• Lee Dongchul

Classifications

• A61N1/36125

  Details of circuitry or electric components · CPC title

• A61N1/36157

  Current (A61N1/3616 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61N1/372

  Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators · CPC title

• A61N1/36185 Primary

  Selection of the electrode configuration · CPC title