Implantable Pulse Generator Waveforms With Memory-Based Amplitude Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical device stimulation circuitry lacks flexibility in defining complex pulses, requiring numerous registers and flip flops for additional phases, leading to increased layout space and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a pulse generator with control circuitry that uses memory circuitry to store pulse, steering, and aggregate instructions, allowing for amplitude modulation and linkage of these programs to generate complex pulses efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional stimulation circuitry uses numerous registers and flip flops to define additional pulse phases, then complex pulse generation capability is improved, but layout space and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplex pulse generation capabilityVSAvoidlayout space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional hardware-based pulse generation (using numerous registers and flip flops) with a software-based approach using lookup tables stored in memory. The pulse generation is achieved through programmed instructions that retrieve pre-defined pulse parameters from memory, substituting complex hardware circuits with software control and data storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses lookup tables that contain copied and pre-stored pulse phase definitions and parameters. Instead of generating each pulse phase through complex real-time hardware operations, the system retrieves pre-computed pulse parameters from memory, effectively copying proven pulse patterns and reusing them with minimal additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional stimulation circuitry uses numerous registers and flip flops to define additional pulse phases, then complex pulse generation capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplex pulse generation capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces power-intensive hardware-based pulse generation (using numerous registers and flip flops) with a software-based approach using lookup tables stored in memory. The pulse generation is achieved through programmed instructions that retrieve pre-defined pulse parameters from memory, substituting complex hardware circuits with software control and data storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-computes and stores pulse phase parameters in lookup tables during device manufacturing or initialization. By performing the complex pulse parameter calculations beforehand and storing the results in memory, the system avoids the need for power-intensive real-time hardware generation of each pulse phase during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional stimulation circuitry uses numerous registers and flip flops, then additional pulse phases can be defined, but the number of required hardware components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse phase definition capabilityVSAvoidnumber of hardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal pulse generation system where a single hardware architecture with memory and programmed instructions can generate multiple pulse phases and patterns. The lookup tables serve as a universal repository that can store various pulse configurations, allowing the same hardware to perform multiple pulse generation functions without requiring dedicated hardware for each pulse type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12576276B2Amplitude modulating waveform pattern generation for stimulation in an implantable pulse generator

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

Improved stimulation circuitry for controlling the stimulation delivered by an implantable stimulator is disclosed. The stimulation circuitry includes memory circuitry that stores pulse programs that define pulse shapes, steering programs that define electrode configurations, and aggregate programs that link a selected pulse program with a selected steering program. The aggregate programs also include an amplitude modulation factor that modulates the amplitude defined by the pulse program. The inclusion of an amplitude modulation factor in the aggregate program allows complex amplitude-modulated waveforms to be produced. Pulse definition circuits in the stimulation circuitry execute aggregate programs to generate stimulation waveforms, which stimulation waveforms can be generated simultaneously by the different pulse definition circuits.