CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a tissue node potential of a neurostimulation system. The envisioned neurostimulation system can include an energy source, a housing or a housing portion, a stimulation node, a stimulation surface for contacting a tissue of a patient, and a control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to maintain at least one of the housing or housing portion, the stimulation node, or the stimulation surface at a predefined voltage or within a predefined voltage range.
1 . A neurostimulation system, comprising:
an energy source;
a housing or a housing portion;
a stimulation node;
a stimulation surface for contacting a tissue of a patient; and
a control circuit configured to maintain at least one of the housing or housing portion, the stimulation node, or the stimulation surface at:
a predefined voltage, or
within a predefined voltage range.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises at least one energy controlling element that draws energy from or returns energy to the energy source to keep at least one of:
the housing or the housing portion,
the stimulation node, or
the stimulation surface
at a predefined voltage or kept within a predefined voltage range.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation surface is maintained at the predefined voltage or within the predefined voltage range using a capacitor.
4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising a monitoring element.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein:
the energy source comprises a power source; and
the monitoring element is configured to monitor at least one of:
a voltage across the capacitor;
a voltage of at least one of the housing or the housing portion;
a voltage of the stimulation node;
a voltage of the stimulation surface;
a current through at least one of
the capacitor,
the housing,
the housing portion,
the stimulation node, or
the stimulation surface; or
at least one of a voltage, a current, or a power of the power source.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises at least one of
a current source;
a switch;
a voltage source;
a ground; or
a bridge circuit.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein at least one of
the housing or housing portion,
the stimulation node, or
the stimulation surface,
is part of a bridge circuit.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the bridge circuit comprises an H-bridge circuit.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit has a supply voltage within a range from more than 0 V to about 50 V, whereas the supply voltage is supplied by a voltage supply.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the supply voltage is from about 5 V to about 30 V.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the supply voltage is from about 20 V to about 30 V.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises at least one of:
a capacitor;
a monitoring element;
a switch being arranged in a branch connecting the capacitor with a voltage supply or another voltage source; and
a further switch being arranged in a branch connecting the capacitor with another rail.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the control circuit comprises at least one further current source.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the control circuit further comprises a first control switch and a second control switch connected in series.
15 . The system of claim 14 ,
wherein the at least one further current source comprises a first current source and a second current source; and
wherein the first control switch and the second control switch are arranged between the first current source and the second current source.
16 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a switch for connecting, to at least one of ground or another rail, at least one of
a capacitor, or
the housing or housing portion.
16 . The system of claim 1 ,
wherein the control circuit is directly or indirectly connected to a stimulation generation module of an implantable pulse generator, and
wherein the stimulation generation module is powered from a single energy source.
17 . The system of claim 1 , whereas at least one stimulation current source or output stage of the stimulation generation module, during stimulation, remains in at least one of
its high-ohmic output range, or
its compliance region.