Patent ID: 8116878
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A stimulation circuit for a channel in a multi-channel stimulator, the stimulation circuit comprising: an electrical ground; a common supply voltage; first and second electrode contacts; first and second current sources, said first current source having a first connection and a second connection, said second current source having a third connection and a fourth connection, said first and third connections electrically connected to the common supply voltage, and said second and fourth connections electrically connected to the first electrode contact; third and fourth current sources, said third current source having a fifth connection and a sixth connection, said fourth current source having a seventh connection and an eighth connection, said fifth and seventh connections electrically connected to the common supply voltage, and said sixth and eighth connections electrically connected to the second electrode contact; and a first bypass switch configured to selectively be in one of a first and a second position, wherein, in said first position, said first bypass switch is configured to electrically connect said first electrode contact to said ground, and wherein, in a second position, said first bypass switch is configured to electrically connect said first electrode contact to said first and second current sources and permit the first and third current sources to operate together in a push-pull configuration; and a second bypass switch configured to selectively be in one of a first and a second position, wherein, in said first position, said second bypass switch is configured to electrically connect the second electrode contact to said ground, and wherein, in said second position, said second bypass switch is configured to electrically connect the second electrode contact to said third and fourth current sources and permit the second and fourth current sources to operate together in a push-pull configuration; wherein said first bypass switch is configured to be selectively placed in said first position and said second bypass switch is configured to be selectively placed in said second position to cause said channel to operate in a low compliance voltage mode in which a voltage between said first and second electrode contacts is within a first voltage range; wherein said first and second bypass switches are configured to both be selectively placed in said second positions to cause said channel to operate in a high compliance voltage mode in which a voltage between said first and second electrode contacts is within a second voltage range, said second voltage range greater than said first voltage range and wherein the stimulation circuit is capable of operating in both modes; wherein the first and second current sources provide opposite current flow in the stimulation circuit; wherein the third and fourth current sources provide opposite current flow in the stimulation circuit; and wherein the stimulation circuit is capable of operating in both the low compliance voltage mode and the high compliance voltage mode.