Patent ID: 7664548

Claim:
A system for delivering neuromodulation therapy, comprising: a plurality of implantable neuromodulation units wherein each such unit includes a programmable controller, at least one of a neural stimulator and a sensor for measuring a physiological variable affected by neural stimulation, and a telemetry transceiver for communicating over a communication channel; wherein each of the neuromodulation units are programmed to communicate bidirectionally and exchange functional status with one another via telemetry as network nodes to form a network of neuromodulation units that is able to deliver neuromodulation therapy in a coordinated manner; wherein the neuromodulation units are programmed such that the network is automatically reconfigured when one or more neuromodulation units are taken in or out of service; wherein the neuromodulation units are programmed such that, when a unit that measures a physiological variable is removed from the network, the other units of the network detect the lack of communication from the removed unit and adjust algorithms for controlling the delivery of neural stimulation that depend upon the physiological measurements obtained by the removed unit; and, wherein the neuromodulation units are programmed such that, when a new unit joins the network, the new unit communicates to the other units in the network information as to its stimulation and/or sensing functionality.