Body organ stimulus pulse generator with decoupled timing circuit and voltage multiplier

Claim 2

A body organ stimulus pulse generator comprising: a. source terminal means adapted to connect to an electric power source, b. stimulus pulse generating means adapted to be supplied from said terminal means when connected to a source and having output terminals adapted to be connected to a body organ, c. decoupling impedance means having one terminal connected to one source terminal and having another terminal, d. pulse timing means for controlling said stimulus pulse generating means and including a series circuit comprising a charging resistor means and a timing capacitor in series therewith, said series circuit being connected between said another terminal of said decoupling impedance means and the other source terminal for charging said timing capacitor, e. a first switch means responsive to development of a predetermined voltage on said capacitor by discharging the same and thereby producing a timing pulse, f. a second switch meAns connected between said another terminal of said decoupling impedance means and said other source terminal, means operatively connecting said first switch means to said second switch means for causing said second switch means to conduct in response to conduction of said first switch means, conduction by said second switch means effectively connecting said another terminal of said impedance means to said other source terminal whereby to substantially remove source voltage from said timing means and thereby decouple said timing circuit from said source and said pulse generating means during discharge of said timing capacitor.

Claim 3

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said first and second switch means are switching transistors.

Claim 4

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said first switch means is a transistor switch having a control terminal and load terminals, b. a voltage divider biasing circuit connected between said another terminal of said decoupling impedance means and said other source terminal and having an intermediate point connected to said control terminal, c. one of said load terminals of said first switch means being connected to the junction of said timing capacitor and charging resistor and responding to the difference between said predetermined voltage on said timing capacitor and the voltage at said intermediate point by turning on said transistor, d. load resistor means connected between another of said load terminals of said first switch means and said other source terminal, e. diode means and resistor means series connected between said one load terminal and said another terminal of said decoupling impedance means to divert some capacitor current from said first transistor switch means, thereby providing pulse width control means.

Claim 5

The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said second switch means is a transistor having a control terminal and load terminals, said control terminal being connected to the aforesaid load resistor means and becoming biased to turn on said second transistor switch when said first transistor switch is on and conducting through said load resistor means, said control terminal of said second switch means also being connected to said another load terminal of said first transistor switch means, b. one of said second transistor load terminals being connected to said decoupling impedance and the other load terminal being connected to said other source terminal, c. said pulse generating means being driven from one load terminal of said second transistor.

Claim 6

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse generating means includes: a. a first load capacitor and a charging resistor means connected in a series circuit between said source terminals, b. a second load capacitor having one side connected to one terminal that is adapted for connecting to an organ and a charging resistor means connected to the other side of said second load capacitor in a series circuit, said last named series circuit being connected between said source terminals, c. third switch means connected between said other side of said second load capacitor and one side of said first load capacitor, and fourth switch means connected from the other side of said first load capacitor to the other terminal that is adapted for being connected to an organ and said fourth switch means also being connected to said other source terminal to turn on in response to initiation of a pulse by said timing circuit to thereby discharge said load capacitors in series through an organ and to apply substantially double the source voltage to the heart.

Claim 7

The invention set forth in claim 5 including: a. fifth switch means having one load terminal connected to one source terminal and having another load terminal, and means for turning said fifth switch means on in response to initiation of a timing pulse, b. a double-throw mode selector switch means connected to an organ connectinG terminal and having selective conductive paths to said another load terminal of said fifth switch means and to said other source terminal, c. means responsive to turn on of said fifth switch means for controlling said third and fourth switch means to turn on simultaneously with said fifth switch means and said fourth switch means then connecting said other side of said first load capacitor to said other source terminal, d. turn on of said third, fourth and fifth switch means establishing a series circuit including said last named switch means, said load capacitors, said source terminals, the path to said fifth switch means of said selector switch, and said organ connecting output terminals, whereupon substantially the sum of said source and load capacitor voltages is applied to the organ connecting terminals.

Claim 8

A body organ stimulus pulse generator comprising: a. source terminal means adapted to connect to an electric source, b. a pulse timing circuit connected between one and another of said source terminals and operative to produce timing pulse signals at a rate corresponding with the desired stimulating rate of an organ, c. pulse generating means including output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ and including a first switch means that is connected to said one source terminal and that is turned on in response to initiation of a timing pulse signal and is turned off between such signals, d. a first load capacitor and charging resistor means connected in a series circuit between said source terminals, e. a second load capacitor and a charging resistor means connected in a series circuit including said organ connecting terminals, said last named series circuit being connected between said source terminals, said first and second load capacitors being charged through their respective charging resistor means between timing pulses, f. a normally off second switch means connected from said first load capacitor to said another source terminal, g. a normally off third switch means connected between said load capacitors, h. means responsive to turn on of said first switch means for turning on said second and third switch means upon initiation of a timing pulse and to effect a closed series discharge circuit including said load capacitors, said second and third switch means and said organ connecting terminals, whereby to stimulate an organ at substantially the sum of the voltages on the two load capacitors.

Claim 9

A body organ stimulus pulse generator comprising: a. source terminal means adapted to connect to an electric source, b. a pulse timing circuit connected between one and another of said source terminals and operative to produce timing pulse signals at a rate corresponding with the desired stimulating rate of an organ, c. pulse generating means including output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ and including a first switch means that is connected to said one source terminal and that is turned on in response to initiation of a timing pulse signal and is turned off between such signals, d. a first load capacitor and charging resistor means connected in a series circuit between said source terminals, e. a second load capacitor and a charging resistor means connected in a series circuit including said organ connecting terminals, said last named series circuit being connected between said source terminals, said first and second load capacitors being charged through their respective charging resistor means between timing pulses, f. a normally off second switch means connected from said first load capacitor to said another source terminal, g. a normally off third switch means connected between said load capacitors, h. means responsive to turn on of said first switch means for turning on said second and third switch means upon initiation of a timing pulse and to effect a closed series discharge circuit including said load capacitors, said second and third switch means and said organ connecting terminals, whereby to stimulate an organ at substantially the sum of the voltages on the two load capacitors.

Claim 10

The invention set forth in claim 7 including: a. a double-throw mode selector switch means in said load capacitor discharge circuit, said selector switch means having at least one selectable conductive path leading to said first switch means and to said one source terminal to which it is connected, said second switch means having another conductive path leading to said another source terminal and a common terminal connected to one of said organ terminals, b. whereupon turning on of said first, second, and third switch means in response to a timing pulse will connect said load capacitors and said source in series with said organ connecting terminals.

Claim 11

The invention set forth in claim 7 including: a. a radiating coil and a capacitor in series with each other and connected between a source terminal and a junction between said first load capacitor and said third switch means, whereupon turning said switch means on results in conduction through said coil and said capacitor and radiation of a signal from said coil.

Claim 12

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse generator means having input terminals connected to said source terminals and having output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ, c. decoupling impedance means having a first terminal connected to said first source terminal and having a second terminal, d. timing circuit means having input terminals respectively connected in a cIrcuit between said second impedance terminal and said second source terminal, said timing mean having an output terminal means on which a signal is produced for each timing period, e. switch means having a control element coupled with said timing circuit output terminal and having a load circuit connected between said second impedance terminal and said second source terminal, a timing signal on said control element rendering said switch means conductive whereby to effectively connect the input terminals of said timing circuit during a timing signal and thereby substantially isolate said circuit from said source and said pulse generator, and f. means for operating said pulse generator to produce pulses in response to occurrence of timing signals,

Claim 13

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse generator means having input terminals connected to said source terminals and having output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ, c. decoupling impedance means having a first terminal connected to said first source terminal and having a second terminal, d. timing circuit means having input terminals respectively connected in a cIrcuit between said second impedance terminal and said second source terminal, said timing mean having an output terminal means on which a signal is produced for each timing period, e. switch means having a control element coupled with said timing circuit output terminal and having a load circuit connected between said second impedance terminal and said second source terminal, a timing signal on said control element rendering said switch means conductive whereby to effectively connect the input terminals of said timing circuit during a timing signal and thereby substantially isolate said circuit from said source and said pulse generator, and f. means for operating said pulse generator to produce pulses in response to occurrence of timing signals,

Claim 14

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse timing means for producing short duration timing pulses with a predetermined period, said timing means having input terminals connected between said first and second terminals, c. pulse generator means having output terminals which are adapted to be connected to an organ, said generator comprising, i. a series circuit including a first capacitor, first switch means, a second capacitor and second switch means connected between said output terminals, ii. means for charging said first and second capacitors individually to substantially source voltage when said switch means are not conductive, and iii. means for rendering said first and second switch means conductive in response to occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to apply the sum of the voltages on said capacitors to said output terminals,

Claim 15

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse timing means for producing short duration timing pulses with a predetermined period, said timing means having input terminals connected between said first and second terminals, c. pulse generator means having output terminals which are adapted to be connected to an organ, said generator comprising, i. a series circuit including a first capacitor, first switch means, a second capacitor and second switch means connected between said output terminals, ii. means for charging said first and second capacitors individually to substantially source voltage when said switch means are not conductive, and iii. means for rendering said first and second switch means conductive in response to occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to apply the sum of the voltages on said capacitors to said output terminals,

Claim 16

The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein: a. there is a decoupling impedance means interposed between one of said pulse timing means input terminals and one of said source terminals, b. switch means having a control element and a load circuit controllable thereby, said load circuit being connected between one of said source terminals and the junction between said impedance and said timing means input terminal, c. said last named switch means also being rendered conductive in response to a timing pulse, whereby to effectively connect the input terminals of said timing pulse generator together during occurrence of a timing pulse.

Claim 17

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse timing means for producing short duration timing pulses with a predetermined period, said timing means having input terminals connected between said first and second terminals, c. pulse generator means having output terminals which are adapted to be connected to an organ, said generator comprising, i. a series circuit including a first capacitor means connected to one of said output terminals, first switch means connected to said first capacitor means, second switch means and a second capacitor means connected between said first and second switch means, said second switch means also connecting said second capacitor means to said second source terminal. ii. means for charging said first and second capacitor means individually to substantially source voltage when said first and second switch means are not conductive, iii. third switch means in a circuit between said first source terminal and the other of said output terminals, iv. means for rendering said first, second and third switch means conductive in response to occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to apply the sum of the voltages on said capacitors and the voltage on said source terminals to said output terminals.

Claim 18

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. first and second terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. pulse timing means for producing short duration timing pulses with a predetermined period, said timing means having input terminals connected between said first and second terminals, c. pulse generator means having output terminals which are adapted to be connected to an organ, said generator comprising, i. a series circuit including a first capacitor means connected to one of said output terminals, first switch means connected to said first capacitor means, second switch means and a second capacitor means connected between said first and second switch means, said second switch means also connecting said second capacitor means to said second source terminal. ii. means for charging said first and second capacitor means individually to substantially source voltage when said first and second switch means are not conductive, iii. third switch means in a circuit between said first source terminal and the other of said output terminals, iv. means for rendering said first, second and third switch means conductive in response to occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to apply the sum of the voltages on said capacitors and the voltage on said source terminals to said output terminals.

Claim 19

The invention set forth in claim 12 wherein: a. there is a decoupling impedance means interposed between one of said pulse timing means input terminals and one of said source terminals, b. switch means having a control element and a load circuit controllable thereby, said load circuit beinG connected between one of said source terminals and the junction between said impedance and said timing means input terminals, c. said last named switch means also being rendered conductive in response to a timing pulse, whereby to effectively connect the input terminals of said timing pulse generator together during occurrence of a timing pulse.

Claim 20

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. one and another terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. a pulse timing circuit having input terminals and an output terminal for producing pulses with a predetermined period, c. a decoupling impedance means connected between one of said timing circuit input terminals and one of said source terminals, d. second switch means having a control element and a load circuit the latter of which is connected in a circuit between one of said timing circuit input terminals and the other of said source terminals, said timing circuit output terminal being coupled with said control element to render said load circuit conductive upon occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to effectively connect said input of said pulse timing circuit together and thereby isolate said timing circuit from the source terminals during a timing pulse, e. a pulse generator having input terminals connected to said source terminals and having output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ, and f. means for turning on said pulse generator to produce a pulse on its said output terminals in response to occurrence of a timing pulse.

Claim 21

A body organ stimulator comprising: a. one and another terminals adapted to be connected to an electric source, b. a pulse timing circuit having input terminals and an output terminal for producing pulses with a predetermined period, c. a decoupling impedance means connected between one of said timing circuit input terminals and one of said source terminals, d. second switch means having a control element and a load circuit the latter of which is connected in a circuit between one of said timing circuit input terminals and the other of said source terminals, said timing circuit output terminal being coupled with said control element to render said load circuit conductive upon occurrence of a timing pulse, whereby to effectively connect said input of said pulse timing circuit together and thereby isolate said timing circuit from the source terminals during a timing pulse, e. a pulse generator having input terminals connected to said source terminals and having output terminals adapted to be connected to an organ, and f. means for turning on said pulse generator to produce a pulse on its said output terminals in response to occurrence of a timing pulse.

Claim 22

The invention set forth in claim 15 wherein: a. said pulse timing circuit comprises, i. charging resistor means and a timing capacitor in a series circuit therewith, said circuit being connected between said timing circuit input terminals, ii. first switch mean responsive to development of a predetermined voltage on said timing capacitor by conducting and discharging said capacitor and thereby producing a timing pulse for controlling said pulse generator, said switch means having a control element connected to a point intermediate said timing capacitor and said resistor means, iii. pulse width control means including diode means connected to said control terminal, to said capacitor and to one of said input terminals, iv. said second switch means connected between said timing circuit input terminals, v. means for controlling said second switch means to conduct in response to conduction by said first switch means, vi. conduction by said second switch means providing a path for conduction through said diode means whereby to divert capacitor current from said control element and thereby control the duration of said timing pulse.