Patent ID: 6920359

Claim:
A multichannel deep brain stimulation system ( 10 ) comprising: an implantable pulse generator ( 20 ) having means for generating electrical stimuli comprising a plurality of channels and memory circuits, wherein the memory circuits store at least one program and data; at least one electrode array ( 30 ) connected to said implantable pulse generator, said at least one electrode array having a plurality of electrodes ( 32 ); a rechargeable battery ( 27 ) coupled to the implantable pulse generator, a hand-held programmer ( 50 ); a clinician's programmer ( 60 ); a manufacturing and diagnostic system ( 70 ); and an external battery charging system ( 40 ); wherein the implantable pulse generator ( 20 ) and said at least one electrode array ( 30 ) are adapted to be implanted directly in the cranium of a patient; and wherein the means for generating electrical stimuli comprises control circuits ( 21 , 28 , 27 ) and the memory circuits ( 22 , 24 ) that cause stimulation pulses having parameters specfied by the at least one program and data stored in the memory circuits to be applied through at least one of the plurality of channels to the electrodes ( 32 ) of the at least one electrode array; and wherein the hand-held programmer ( 50 ) is adapted to: communicate with the implantable pulse generator, allow the patient to monitor and change stimulation parameters, provide a first communication link ( 46 ) with the clinician's programmer, and provide a second communication link ( 47 ) with the manufacturing and diagnostic system, all for the purpose of programming and testing the implantable pulse generator ( 20 ); and wherein the external battery charging system ( 40 ) is adapted to be inductively coupled to the rechargeable battery ( 27 ) for the purpose of replenishing the power stored within the rechargeable battery.