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US5179950A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Implanted apparatus having micro processor controlled current and voltage sources with reduced voltage levels when not providing stimulation

Assignee: Livanova USA Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-05
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Granted: 1993-01-19
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Expires: 2011-12-05
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Abstract

Abstract An implant for stimulating the vagus nerve receives commands over a radio frequency link. The implant disables a voltage convertor used in providing the stimulation signal at periodic intervals to monitor for communications attempts. The implant provides radio frequency marker pulses before providing stimulation signals of certain frequencies. During the providing of stimulation signals the implant monitors the voltage overhead present between the voltage source and the load and adjusts the overhead to a desired level. The implant changes the voltage applied to certain internal components during stimulation periods to allow full power operation during those intervals and reduced power levels at other intervals. The implant is reset by the placing of a magnet in a given location in conjunction with the application of a radio frequency transmission for a given period.

Inventors

  • 👤 Henry Stanislaw

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 10:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/36053; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36064; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37217; G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/468; A61N1/02; A61N1/025

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 249 words
An implanted apparatus for providing an electrical signal to a living organism, comprising: a battery for providing electrical energy; a power supply circuit connected to said battery and having a voltage output responsive to a signal to select between two voltage output levels; a microprocessor having its power input connected to said power supply voltage output and having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said outputs connected to provide a signal to select said power supply voltage output level; a current source for providing the electrical signal to the living organism, said current source being coupled to said outputs of said microprocessor to control the production and level of the signal provided by said current source; a voltage source connected to said current source and to said battery to provide operating energy for said output signal, said voltage source being coupled to said microprocessor outputs to control the production and level of the voltage provided by said voltage source; and means for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the lower power supply output voltage level and to disable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is not being provided to the living organism and for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the higher power supply output voltage level and to enable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is being provided to the living organism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 249 words
An implanted apparatus for providing an electrical signal to a living organism, comprising: a battery for providing electrical energy; a power supply circuit connected to said battery and having a voltage output responsive to a signal to select between two voltage output levels; a microprocessor having its power input connected to said power supply voltage output and having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said outputs connected to provide a signal to select said power supply voltage output level; a current source for providing the electrical signal to the living organism, said current source being coupled to said outputs of said microprocessor to control the production and level of the signal provided by said current source; a voltage source connected to said current source and to said battery to provide operating energy for said output signal, said voltage source being coupled to said microprocessor outputs to control the production and level of the voltage provided by said voltage source; and means for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the lower power supply output voltage level and to disable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is not being provided to the living organism and for directing said microprocessor to set output levels to select the higher power supply output voltage level and to enable production of signals by said current source and said voltage source when the electrical signal is being provided to the living organism.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1996-01-19 1996-07-20 1997-01-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-01-19 2000-07-20 2001-01-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-01-19 2004-07-20 2005-01-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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