Power supply and voltage double output circuitry for implantable electro-medical apparatus

Claim 2

In implantable electrical medical apparatus including circuit means for developing electrical signals for stimulating selected portions of a body, the improvement comprising: electrically redundant power supply means for providing electrical energy to the circuit means; voltage doubling circuit means connected to the circuit means for doubling the electrical signals for stimulating; capacitance means in said voltage doubler means; and switch means alternatively connecting said capacitance means to said power supply means from a first connection for charging said capacitance means to a further connection for putting said capacitance means and said power supply means in series aiding configuration with regard to the electrical signals for stimulating.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said electrically redundant power supply means includes: electrical energy supply means having at least a pair of supply output terminals connected to the circuit means; said supply means comprising a plurality of sources of electrical energy having first and second output terminals; means connecting said first output terminal of at least a first and second of said sources of energy to one of said pair of supply output terminals; first and second asymmetric current conducting means connecting respectively, said second output terminal of said first and second sources of energy to the other of said supply output terminals.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 in which: the reverse bias levels of said first and second asymmetric current conducting means are unequal.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 in which: the reverse bias levels of said first and second asymmetric current conducting means are equal.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 in which: one of said first and second asymmetric conducting means comprises at least a pair of serially connected diodes; the other of said first and second asymmetric current conducting means comprises one or more serially connected diodes including less diodes than said one asymmetric current conducting means; and all said diodes have approximately the same electrical characteristics.

Claim 7

Implantable electrical medical apparatus including circuit means for developing electrical signals for stimulating selected portions of a body, comprising: electrically redundant power supply means having a pair of supply junctions; means connecting said circuit means to said supply junctions; voltage doubling means having first and second output terminals adapted to be connected to a body for electrical stimulatIon thereof; said voltage doubling means including a capacitor having a pair of plates; means connecting one of said plates to one of said supply junctions; means connecting the other of said plates to said first output terminal; means connecting said second output terminal to the other supply junction; electrical switch means connecting said one plate to said other supply junction; further electrical switch means connecting said second output terminal to said one supply junction; and all said switch means being connected to said circuit means and including means for selectably reversing the polarity of electrical energy to said capacitor.

Claim 8

Implantable electrical medical apparatus including circuit means for developing electrical signals for stimulating selected portions of a body, comprising: electrically redundant power supply means having a pair of supply junctions; means connecting said circuit means to said supply junctions; voltage doubling means having first and second output terminals adapted to be connected to a body for electrical stimulatIon thereof; said voltage doubling means including a capacitor having a pair of plates; means connecting one of said plates to one of said supply junctions; means connecting the other of said plates to said first output terminal; means connecting said second output terminal to the other supply junction; electrical switch means connecting said one plate to said other supply junction; further electrical switch means connecting said second output terminal to said one supply junction; and all said switch means being connected to said circuit means and including means for selectably reversing the polarity of electrical energy to said capacitor.

Claim 9

In implantable electrical medical apparatus, including circuit means for developing electrical signals, the improvement comprising: at least first and second substantially equal sources of electrical energy having two outputs of opposite polarity; first and second junctions; means connecting the same polarity output on each of said sources to said first junction; diode means connecting the other polarity output of said first source to said second junction; further diode means connecting the other polarity output of said second source to said second junction; said first and second junctions connected to the circuit means; energy storage means having first and second terminals; first output means connected to said first terminal; second output means; impedance means connecting said second output means to said first junction; impedance means connecting said second terminal to said second junction; first switch means connecting said second output means to said second junction; second switch means connecting said second terminal to said first junction; said first and second switch means operably connected to said circuit means for switching the polarity of electrical energy to said energy storing means.

Claim 10

In implantable electrical medical apparatus, including circuit means for developing electrical signals, the improvement comprising: at least first and second substantially equal sources of electrical energy having two outputs of opposite polarity; first and second junctions; means connecting the same polarity output on each of said sources to said first junction; diode means connecting the other polarity output of said first source to said second junction; further diode means connecting the other polarity output of said second source to said second junction; said first and second junctions connected to the circuit means; energy storage means having first and second terminals; first output means connected to said first terminal; second output means; impedance means connecting said second output means to said first junction; impedance means connecting said second terminal to said second junction; first switch means connecting said second output means to said second junction; second switch means connecting said second terminal to said first junction; said first and second switch means operably connected to said circuit means for switching the polarity of electrical energy to said energy storing means.