Telemetry system for use with microstimulator
View Patent ↗An implantable microstimulator configured to be implanted beneath a patient's skin for tissue stimulation employs a bi-directional RF telemetry link for allowing data-containing signals to be sent to and from the implantable microstimulator from at least two external devices. Further, a separate electromagnetic inductive telemetry link allows data containing signals to be sent to the implantable microstimulator from at least one of the two external devices. The RF bidirectional telemetry link allows the microstimulator to inform the patient or clinician regarding the status of the microstimulator device, including the charge level of a power source, and stimulation parameter states. The microstimulator has a cylindrical hermetically sealed case having a length no greater than about 27 mm and a diameter no greater than about 3.3 mm. A reference electrode is located on one end of the case and an active electrode is located on the other end of the case.
1. A neurostimulator system, comprising:
a first external device;
a second external device; and
an implantable stimulator having an antenna, wherein the implantable stimulator is configured to generate stimulation pulses in accordance with programmed parameters,
wherein the first external device is configured to communicate data with the antenna in the implantable stimulator in accordance with a first modulation scheme via a first telemetry link,
wherein the second external device is configured to communicate data with the antenna in the implantable stimulator in accordance with at least a second modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme via a second telemetry link, and
wherein the implantable stimulator is configured to use the second telemetry link to provide power to the implantable stimulator.
2. The neurostimulator system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second external devices can communicate with each other.
3. The neurostimulation system of claim 1 , wherein the first modulation scheme comprises frequency shift keying, and the second modulation scheme comprises on-off keying.
4. The neurostimulation system of claim 1 , wherein the first external device comprises an external programmer, and the second external device comprises an external charger.
5. The neurostimulation system of claim 4 , wherein the external charger comprises a base station.
6. The neurostimulation system of claim 4 , wherein the external charger comprises a chair pad.
7. The neurostimulator system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable stimulator comprises a power source, and wherein the implantable stimulator is configured to provide the power to charge the power source.
8. A neurostimulator system, comprising:
an implantable stimulator, wherein the stimulator is configured to generate stimulation pulses;
a remote control configured to wirelessly communicate data to the stimulator; and
a charger configured to wirelessly provide operational power to the stimulator,
wherein the remote control and the charger are configured to communicate with each other via a wireless telemetry link.
9. The neurostimulator system of claim 8 , wherein the data is communicated to the stimulator in accordance with a frequency shift keying modulation scheme.
10. The neurostimulator system of claim 8 , wherein the charger includes a coil for producing the power.
11. The neurostimulator system of claim 8 , further comprising a clinician's programmer for wirelessly communicating with the charger and the remote control.
12. The neurostimulator system of claim 8 , wherein the implantable stimulator comprises:
a hermetically-sealed housing;
first and second electrodes external to the hermetically-sealed housing; and
telemetry circuitry configured to receive the data communicated by the remote control and the operational power provided by the charger.
13. The neurostimulator system of claim 12 , wherein the implantable stimulator further comprises a power source within the hermetically-sealed housing which is charged by the power provided by the charger.
14. The neurostimulator system of claim 8 , wherein the charger is further configured to wirelessly provide information to the stimulator.
15. A neurostimulator system, comprising:
a remote control;
an external device; and
an implantable stimulator configured to generate stimulation pulses in accordance with programmed parameters,
wherein the remote control is configured to communicate data with the implantable stimulator via a first radio frequency telemetry link, and
wherein the external device is configured to communicate data with the implantable stimulator via a second radio frequency telemetry link and via an electromagnetic inductive telemetry link.
16. The neurostimulator system of claim 15 , wherein the data communicated via the first radio frequency telemetry link is modulated using frequency shift keying.
17. The neurostimulator system of claim 16 , wherein the data communicated via the electromagnetic inductive telemetry link is modulated using on-off keying.
18. The neurostimulator system of claim 15 , wherein the implantable stimulator comprises:
a hermetically-sealed housing;
first and second electrodes external to the hermetically-sealed housing; and
telemetry circuitry configured to receive the first radio frequency telemetry link, the second radio frequency telemetry link, and the electromagnetic inductive telemetry link.
19. The neurostimulator system of claim 18 , wherein the implantable stimulator further comprises a power source within the hermetically-sealed housing which is charged by the electromagnetic inductive telemetry link.
20. The neurostimulator system of claim 15 , wherein the remote control and the external device communicate with each other via a wireless communication link.
21. The neurostimulator system of claim 15 , wherein the first and second radio frequency telemetry link carry data using the same modulation scheme.