US4096866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rechargeable body tissue stimulator with back-up battery and pulse generator
Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
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Filing: 1977-07-29
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1997-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An implanted tissue stimulator apparatus includes circuitry, powered by an implanted rechargeable battery, to produce electrical stimulation and apply it to selected body tissue. The condition of the rechargeable battery is monitored continuously and if the cell fails or its voltage drops below a preselected level, the stimulator reverts to a stand-by power source provided by a battery having an extremely long shelf-life. A back-up pulse generator is also provided and the control logic circuitry within the implanted stimulator monitors the operation of the pulse generator, in addition to the condition of the rechargeable battery, and if faulty operation of the pulse generator is detected the logic circuitry automatically switches to the back-up pulse generator in order to maintain adequate tissue stimulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Fischell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5005; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/378; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/48; H01M50/00; H01M50/50; H01M50/572; H01M50/574; H01M50/578; H02; H02J; H02J50/00; H02J50/10; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/971; H02J7/973; H01M2200/00; H01M2200/20; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/40; H02J2105/46; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An implantable stimulator for applying electrical stimulation to body tissue of a patient comprising, means constituting a source of operating energy, generator means operably connected to receive operating energy from said source means for generating said electrical stimulation, said generator means including a circuit means forming a first primary generator of electrical stimulation and a circuit means forming a second stand-by generator of back-up electrical stimulation, circuit means operably connected to said first primary and second stand-by generators for applying said electrical stimulation, and control means responsive to the output of said first primary generator for selectively rendering said second stand-by generator effective to apply said back-up stimulation if said first primary is not properly generating said electrical stimulation.--
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An implantable stimulator for applying electrical stimulation to body tissue of a patient comprising, means constituting a source of operating energy, generator means operably connected to receive operating energy from said source means for generating said electrical stimulation, said generator means including a circuit means forming a first primary generator of electrical stimulation and a circuit means forming a second stand-by generator of back-up electrical stimulation, circuit means operably connected to said first primary and second stand-by generators for applying said electrical stimulation, and control means responsive to the output of said first primary generator for selectively rendering said second stand-by generator effective to apply said back-up stimulation if said first primary is not properly generating said electrical stimulation.--
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 1 wherein said source means includes first and second batteries, wherein said first battery is connected to supply operating energy to first primary generator, and wherein said second stand-by generator is adapted to receive operating energy from said second battery.--
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 2 wherein said control means also responds to the voltage output from said first battery for selevtively rendering said second stand-by generator effective to generate said back-up stimulation if the voltage output from said first battery decreases below a predetermined level.--
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 2 including means for recharging said first battery from an external source, wherein said second battery is a stand-by battery having a substantial shelf-life, and wherein said control means includes a switch means for connecting said second battery to said second stand-by generator.--
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 1 wherein said first primary generator includes means to inhibit the generation of said electrical stimulation and wherein said control means includes means for checking to determine if said first primary generator is inhibited prior to rendering effective said second stand-by generator.--
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 1 wherein said back-up electrical stimulation has a characteristic distinctive from the electrical stimulation generated by said first primary generator.--
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The implantable stimulator specified in claim 1, wherein said source means includes a first rechargeable battery and a second battery having a substantial shelf-life, and wherein said control means further includes a first switch means for selectively connecting either of said first and second batteries to apply operating energy to said first primary generator.--
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The implanted stimulator specified in claim 7 wherein said control means further includes a second switch means for selectively connecting either of said first and second batteries to apply operating energy to either of said first and second generators.--
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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) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |