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A method and class of circuit configurations for coupling low-frequency signals from one stage of an electronic apparatus to another stage, from the outside world to such a stage, or from such a stage to the outside world, through the use of a plurality of symmetrical double-layer capacitors combine

A method and class of circuit configurations for coupling low-frequency signals from one stage of an electronic apparatus to another stage, from the outside world to such a stage, or from such a stage to the outside world, through the use of a plurality of symmetrical double-layer capacitors combined with other electronic components are disclosed. The capacitors are used for signal transmission while blocking direct current, rather than for energy storage. Use of double-layer capacitors in place of more conventional capacitors permits the transmission of a much wider range of signals with far less distortion. The technology is particularly well-adapted to use in medical devices, including bioelectronic stimulators, where redundant devices are required for safety in case of single component failure while unacceptable levels of distortion may occur when conventional components are used.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A coupling circuit comprising: a first conductor in electrical communication with a first external circuit;a second conductor in electrical communication with a second external circuit;a double-layer capacitive element between the first conductor and the second conductor and coupling an electrica

1. A coupling circuit comprising: a first conductor in electrical communication with a first external circuit;a second conductor in electrical communication with a second external circuit;a double-layer capacitive element between the first conductor and the second conductor and coupling an electrical signal between the first external circuit and the second external circuit, the double-layer capacitive element further operable to substantially block a direct current (DC) component of the electrical signal; anda resistor in communication with the double-layer capacitive element, the resistor operable to improve impedance matching between the first external circuit and the second external circuit. 2. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the double-layer capacitive element includes a semiconductor in contact with an electrolytic material. 3. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the double-layer capacitive element includes a first semiconductor in contact with an electrolytic material, and a second semiconductor in contact with the electrolytic material. 4. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the double-layer capacitive element includes a plurality of double-layer capacitors connected in series. 5. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the double-layer capacitive element includes one or more ultracapacitors. 6. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal includes an unbalanced charge. 7. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a time constant. 8. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a time constant in excess of ten seconds. 9. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a time constant in excess of thirty seconds. 10. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a time constant in excess of one-hundred seconds. 11. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a time constant in excess of one-thousand seconds. 12. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a frequency at approximately or below twenty Hertz. 13. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a frequency approximately between five and fifteen Hertz. 14. The coupling circuit of claim 1, wherein the resistor and the double-layer capacitive element produce a frequency approximately between one and three ten thousandths of a Hertz. 15. A method comprising the steps of: supplying a signal including both an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component into a first conductor;propagating the signal along said first conductor into a double-layer capacitive element and a resistor that is coupled to the double-layer capacitive element, the resistor being operable to improve impedance matching between a circuit and a load;coupling the AC component of the signal through said double-layer capacitive element;blocking the DC component of the signal with said double-layer capacitive element;propagating the AC component of the signal from said double-layer capacitive element into a second conductor; anddelivering the AC component of the signal from the second conductor to the load. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein propagating the signal along said first conductor into a double-layer capacitive element includes coupling the signal through a single double-layer capacitor. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein propagating the signal along said first conductor into a double-layer capacitive element includes coupling the signal through a plurality of double-layer capacitors. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein delivering the AC component of the signal from the second conductor to the load includes delivering the AC component of the signal from the second conductor into a biological material. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein delivering the AC component of the signal from the second conductor to the load includes delivering the AC component of the signal from the second conductor into another circuit. 20. A coupling circuit for propagating an alternating current (AC) signal between two elements, the coupling circuit comprising: a double-layer capacitive element connected in a path of signal flow between the two elements, wherein a direction of the path of signal flow is from an electronic apparatus to biological material from a living organism, and the double-layer capacitive element includes terminals, each terminal operating in a floating state relative to one of ground and a fixed voltage; and a resistor in communication with the double-layer capacitive element, the resistor operable to improve impedance matching between the first external circuit and the second external circuit. 21. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which the two elements are part of the electronic apparatus, and said path of signal flow is from one stage of the electronic apparatus to another stage. 22. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which another direction of said path of signal flow is from an external environment to the electronic apparatus. 23. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which another direction of said path of signal flow is from the electronic apparatus to an external environment. 24. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said biological material is from a living human body. 25. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said biological material is from a living animal body. 26. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said biological material is from a living organism other than a human or an animal. 27. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said biological material is from biological cells in culture. 28. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said biological material is from tissues in culture. 29. The coupling circuit of claim 20, wherein the double-layer capacitive element comprises a plurality of cells connected in series. 30. The coupling circuit of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of double-layer capacitive elements that each include a plurality of cells connected in series. 31. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said one or more double-layer capacitive elements are used along with resistors to produce a frequency at approximately or below twenty Hertz. 32. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said one or more double-layer capacitive elements are used along with resistors to produce a frequency below twenty Hertz. 33. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said one or more double-layer capacitive elements are used along with resistors to produce a frequency approximately between five and fifteen Hertz. 34. The coupling circuit of claim 20, in which said one or more double-layer capacitive elements are used along with resistors to produce a frequency approximately between one and three ten thousandths of a Hertz. 35. A coupling circuit for propagating an alternating current (AC) signal between two elements, the coupling circuit comprising: a double-layer capacitive element connected in a path of signal flow between the two elements, wherein a direction of the path of signal flow is from an electronic apparatus to biological material from a living organism, and the double-layer capacitive element includes terminals, each terminal operating in a floating state relative to one of ground and a fixed voltage wherein the AC signal is accompanied by a direct current (DC) signal component and includes unbalanced charge content. 36. The coupling circuit of claim 35, in which said unbalanced charge content exists for a period of time. 37. A coupling circuit for propagating an alternating current (AC) signal between two elements, the coupling circuit comprising: one or more double-layer capacitive elements connected in a path of signal flow between the two elements, wherein said one or more double-layer capacitive elements are used along with resistors to match an impedance of a biological material while maintaining a time constant that has a magnitude greater than six seconds, the one or more double-layer capacitive elements including terminals that operate in a floating state relative to one of ground and a fixed voltage. 38. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than thirty seconds. 39. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than 100 seconds. 40. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than 300 seconds. 41. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than 1000 seconds. 42. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than 3000 seconds. 43. The coupling circuit of claim 37, in which said time constant has a magnitude greater than 10,000 seconds. 44. A coupling circuit for propagating an alternating current (AC) signal between two elements, the coupling circuit comprising: a plurality of double-layer capacitive elements connected in a path of signal flow between the two elements, wherein a direction of the path of signal flow is from an electronic apparatus to biological material from a living organism, and each of the double-layer capacitive elements include respective terminals a plurality of cells connected in series, each terminal operating in a floating state relative to one of ground and a fixed voltage; in which said plurality of double-layer capacitive elements includes three double-layer capacitors. 45. The coupling circuit of claim 44, wherein said plurality of double-layer capacitive elements includes double-layer capacitors operating within their specified voltage ranges.