US4390023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Patterned electrical tissue stimulator
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1981-04-30
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2001-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A patterned electrical tissue stimulator includes a current source and analog multiplexers connected to an array of electrodes attached to the body. Microprocessor control of the multiplexer and the current source provides automatic selection of electrode stimulation pairs whereby spatial patterns of electrical stimulation are produced. Temporal summation and temporal patterns of electrical stimulus are provided through microprocessor control of the current source.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Rise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A portable automatically controlled electrical tissue stimulator comprising: means for producing electrical stimulation current, the polarity of said current controllable by a current control signal; a plurality of electrodes for attachment in an array to a patient to be treated; multiplexing means operatively connected between said current means and said electrodes, and responsive to a multiplexing signal for selectively connecting any pair of electrodes to said current means; and presettable automatic control means including memory means for storing presettable digitally encoded information indicative of a desired sequence of electrode pair connections and a desired number of current pulses to be applied to each of the pairs connected in the sequence and further including means responsive to said information stored in said memory means to produce said multiplexing signal and said current control signal to cause said electrodes to be sequentially connected to said current means automatically and stimulation current pulses of alternating polarity to be delivered to said pairs of said electrodes automatically.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A portable automatically controlled electrical tissue stimulator comprising: means for producing electrical stimulation current, the polarity of said current controllable by a current control signal; a plurality of electrodes for attachment in an array to a patient to be treated; multiplexing means operatively connected between said current means and said electrodes, and responsive to a multiplexing signal for selectively connecting any pair of electrodes to said current means; and presettable automatic control means including memory means for storing presettable digitally encoded information indicative of a desired sequence of electrode pair connections and a desired number of current pulses to be applied to each of the pairs connected in the sequence and further including means responsive to said information stored in said memory means to produce said multiplexing signal and said current control signal to cause said electrodes to be sequentially connected to said current means automatically and stimulation current pulses of alternating polarity to be delivered to said pairs of said electrodes automatically.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said presettable automatic control means comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said presettable automatic control means includes means for causing a plurality of electrode pairs to be connected in sequence to said means for producing electrical stimulation current, within a 4 msec period, so that the electrical stimulation delivered to each of said electrode pairs is temporarily indistinguishable to the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the current pulses produced by said means for producing said stimulation current are generated at an intensity level substantially equal to or less than the level of human perception.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said presettable automatic control means includes means for causing a plurality of said current pulses to be delivered to a connected electrode pair within a duration of time short enough to cause said pulses to be temporarily summed in the stimulated tissue.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |