EFFICIENT DYNAMIC STIMULATION IN AN IMPLANTED DEVICE
Apparatus is provided for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance. The apparatus comprises a capacitor, and circuitry which is adapted to charge the capacitor to a potential, and discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue. The apparatus further comprises a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, which is coupled to the circuitry, and which is adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.
1 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . Apparatus for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance, comprising:
a capacitor;
circuitry which is adapted to:
charge the capacitor to a potential, and
discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue; and
a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, which is coupled to the circuitry, and which is adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.
20 . The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the resistance comprises a value so that substantially no anodal break excitation occurs in the tissue.
21 . The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the circuitry is adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue.
22 . The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period.
23 - 61 . (canceled)
62 . Apparatus for stimulating tissue having a capacitance, comprising:
charge circuitry which is adapted to apply a potential to the tissue, causing a voltage to develop across the capacitance of the tissue;
discharge circuitry which is adapted to inject a current to the tissue so as to discharge the capacitance; and
feedback circuitry which is adapted to monitor the potential and to control the current in response to the potential.
63 . A method for stimulating tissue having a capacitance, comprising:
applying a potential to the tissue so as to cause a voltage to develop across the capacitance of the tissue;
injecting a current to the tissue so as to discharge the capacitance;
monitoring the potential to generate a monitored potential; and
controlling the current in response to the monitored potential.
64 . A method for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance, comprising:
providing a capacitor;
providing circuitry which is adapted to charge the capacitor to a potential, and discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue; and
providing a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, and which is coupled to the circuitry and adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.
65 . The method according to claim 64 , wherein the resistance comprises a value so that substantially no anodal break excitation occurs in the tissue.
66 . The method according to claim 64 , wherein providing the circuitry comprises providing the circuitry adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue.
67 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period.
68 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein providing the circuitry comprises providing the circuitry adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue.
69 . The apparatus according to claim 68 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period.
70 . The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the circuitry is adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue.
71 . The apparatus according to claim 70 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period.