APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ENERGY TO BODY-IMPLANTED APPARATUS WITH SIGNAL-RECEIVING MEANS

摘要

An apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation energy to body-implanted apparatus with signal-receiving means is described which is particularly useful in implanted devices, including nerve and muscle stimulators, artificial organs, and certain electro-mechanical devices such as implanted dispensers for the administration of fluids to the body system. The electrical portion of the system includes a transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter normally being disposed or worn externally of the body of the patient or user and being arranged to generate pulses of predetermined amplitude at radio frequencies. The receiver includes a pick-up, a receiver and an output electrode arrangement which is normally subcutaneously implanted within the body of the patient. Since variations in signal energy received by the receiver from its coupled transmitter may occur due to relative positioning of the transmitter-receiver pair, the receiver serves to regulate the amount of energy delivered to the output electrodes such that relatively uniform impulses are normally applied to the output electrodes. Thus, even though there may be variations in the energy coupled from the transmitter to the receiver, a uniform output occurs; the arrangement providing a means for coupling an electrical signal of variable magnitude to provide an output or stimulation signal of constant energy amplitude or magnitude to an implanted device.