초록 ▼

The implantable device includes a power supply including a high value, small sized capacitor having at least a capacitive rating of 0.1 farads which is completely contained within the implantable device. This high value, small size capacitor or series of capacitors enables the implantable device to

The implantable device includes a power supply including a high value, small sized capacitor having at least a capacitive rating of 0.1 farads which is completely contained within the implantable device. This high value, small size capacitor or series of capacitors enables the implantable device to deliver, on a controlled and continual basis, electric energy over at least an eight hour period. Further, the capacitive power source is replenished via an external, RF coupled device on a daily or other long term periodic basis. During the replenishing cycle, the energy contained in the battery of the external transmitter is transferred to the internal capacitive power source in the implantable device. The method includes providing, on an exclusive basis, power to an implantable device via a high value capacitive source during at least an eight hour cycle of substantially continual delivery of electric energy. The method includes incorporating and containing a capacitive device in the implantable device wherein the capacitive device has a capacitive rating of at least 0.1 farads. The capacitive device captures and stores a pre-determined amount of coulombs of electrical energy. This electrical energy is utilized to power the implantable device during at least an eight hour cycle during substantial continual delivery of electrical energy. The replenishment unit can be programmed to interrogate the implanted device and reprogram the implanted device upon detection of a lower power status signal. Also, automatic as well as manually commanded replenishment routines are established between the replenishment unit and the implanted device. Data transmission, error detection routines are established for the programming of the implanted device.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A replenishable, power supply system contained within an implantable device, sufficient to supply power to said implantable device on an exclusive basis over at least a portion of a day, said power source including a high value, small size capacitive energy storage unit having a cap

[ I claim:] [1.] A replenishable, power supply system contained within an implantable device, sufficient to supply power to said implantable device on an exclusive basis over at least a portion of a day, said power source including a high value, small size capacitive energy storage unit having a capacitive rating of at least 0.1 farads;an inductor coil adapted to gather emf power transmissions, rectifying means and means for controlling the level of charge in said capacitive energy storage unit, all electrically coupled to said capacitive energy storage unit and incorporated into said implantable stimulator;a low level charge detector, electrically coupled to said capacitive energy source, for detecting and issuing a "charge" low command signal when the charge in said capacitive energy source falls below a predetermined level,a telemetry circuit coupled to said detector and receiving said "charge" low command signal, said telemetry circuit transmitting a signal representative of said command signal;means, external to said implantable device and not adapted for implantation, for replenishing said capacitive energy storage unit up to its maximum rated voltage by generating said emf power transmissions near said inductor coil;said replenishing means having a corresponding telemetry circuits said corresponding telemetry circuit receiving said signal representative of said "charge" low command signal; and,means for controlling said means for replenishing, said means for controlling being coupled to said corresponding telemetry circuit and activating said means for replenishing upon receipt of said signal representative of said "charge" low command signal.