EP3917612A1 - Power control circuit for sterilized devices, and associated systems and methods - Google Patents
Power control circuit for sterilized devices, and associated systems and methodsInfo
- Publication number
- EP3917612A1 EP3917612A1 EP19913183.0A EP19913183A EP3917612A1 EP 3917612 A1 EP3917612 A1 EP 3917612A1 EP 19913183 A EP19913183 A EP 19913183A EP 3917612 A1 EP3917612 A1 EP 3917612A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- circuitry
- output
- control circuit
- switch
- power control
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
- A61N1/36014—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes
- A61N1/36017—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
- A61N1/36014—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes
- A61N1/3603—Control systems
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
- A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
- A61L2202/18—Aseptic storing means
Definitions
- the presently disclosed technology relates generally to electronic medical devices that are to be sterilized in flammable environments prior to use and, in particular, to steriiizabie trial stimulators for use with implantable neurological stimulation systems.
- Implantable neurological stimulation systems generally have an implantable signal generator and one or more leads that deliver electrical pulses to neurological and/or muscle tissue. Often such devices have one or more electrodes that are inserted into the body near the target tissue to deliver the electrical pulses for therapeutic effect.
- the signal generator is programmed to supply electrical pulses to the electrodes, which in turn modify the function of the patient's nervous system, such as by altering the patient's responsiveness to sensory stimuli and/or altering the patient's motor-circuit output.
- the signal generator applies electrical pulses to the spinal cord via the electrodes that mask or otherwise alter the patient's sensation of pain.
- an externa! trial stimulator is attached to the implanted electrodes and can be programmed to deliver electrical pulses with varying signal levels, frequencies, time durations etc. if the patient responds well after wearing the trial stimulator, the patient receives a more permanent implantable stimulator.
- the implantable stimulator can be programmed with the therapy regimen that was determined to be the most beneficial during the trial period if necessary, the signal generator can be further programmed while implanted to fine tune the most beneficial therapy regimen.
- Figure 1 is a partially schematic illustration of an implantable spinal cord modulation system positioned at a patient's spine to deliver therapeutic signals in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.
- Figure 2 illustrates a trial stimulator that is placed in a sterile package and that wirelessly communicates with a programming unit in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed technology.
- Figure 3 is a block diagram of a power control circuit for selectively reducing stored energy in a trial stimulator to be sterilized in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed technology
- Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a power control circuit for selectively reducing stored energy in a trial stimulator to be sterilized in accordance with some embodiments of the disciosed technology.
- the present technology is directed generally to power control circuits for selectively powering circuit components and, in some embodiments for selectively powering circuit components in sterilizable devices, and associated systems and methods.
- the presently disclosed technologies are directed to systems and devices for discharging energy storage elements in a medical device that is to be placed in a flammable sterilizing gas after manufacture and prior to use.
- a bi-stable switch can control one or more transistors to drain energy from an energy storage device to a level below an ignition level of a sterilizing gas.
- the bi- stable switch can be triggered to change states via a remotely actuatable switch from outside a sealed packaging in which the circuit is placed so as not to break the sealed package in the process of re-activating the medical device. Definitions
- references to“some embodiments,”“one embodiment,” or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed technology. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Elements described in the context of representative devices, systems and methods may be applied to other representative devices, systems and methods in a variety of suitable manners.
- modulate As used herein, and unless otherwise noted, the terms “modulate,” “modulation,” “stimulate,” and “stimulation” refer generally to signals that have an inhibitory, excitatory, and/or other effect on a target neural population. Accordingly, a spinal cord “stimulator” can have an inhibitory effect on certain neural populations.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a representative patient therapy system 100 for treating a patient's neurological disorders, arranged relative to the general anatomy of the patient's spinal column 191.
- the system 100 can include a signal generator 101 (e.g., an implanted or implantable pulse generator or IPG), which may be implanted subcutaneously within a patient 190 and coupled to one or more signal delivery elements or devices 1 10.
- the signal delivery elements or devices 1 10 may be implanted within the patient 190, at or off the patient's spinal cord midline 189.
- the signal delivery elements 1 10 carry features for delivering therapy to the patient 190 after implantation.
- the signal generator 101 can be connected directly to the signal delivery devices 1 10, or it can be coupled to the signal delivery devices 1 10 via a signal link, e.g., a lead extension 102.
- the signal delivery devices 1 10 can include one or more elongated lead(s) or lead body or bodies 1 1 1 (identified individually as a first lead 1 1 1 a and a second lead 1 1 1 b).
- the terms signal delivery device, signal delivery element, lead, and/or lead body include any of a number of suitable substrates and/or supporting members that carry electrodes/devices for providing therapy signals to the patient 190.
- the lead or leads 1 1 1 can include one or more electrodes or electrical contacts that direct electrical signals into the patient's tissue, e.g., to provide for therapeutic relief.
- the signal delivery elements 1 10 can include structures other than a lead body (e.g., a paddle) that also direct electrical signals and/or other types of signals to the patient 190, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0256892, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- paddles may be more suitable for patients with spinal cord injuries that result in scarring or other tissue damage that impedes signal delivery from cylindrical leads.
- one signal delivery device may be implanted on one side of the spinal cord midline 189, and a second signal delivery device may be implanted on the other side of the spinal cord midiine 189.
- the first and second leads 1 1 1 1 a, 1 1 1 b shown in Figure 1 may be positioned just off the spinal cord midline 189 (e.g., about 1 mm offset) in opposing lateral directions so that the two leads 1 1 1 a, 1 1 1 b are spaced apart from each other by about 2 mm.
- the leads 1 1 1 may be implanted at a vertebral level ranging from, for example, about T4 to about T12.
- one or more signal delivery devices can be implanted at other vertebral levels, e.g., as disclosed in U.S Patent No. 9,327,121 , which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the signal generator 101 can provide signals (e.g., electrical signals) to the signal delivery elements 1 10 that excite and/or suppress target nerves.
- the signal generator 101 can include a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) or controller- readable medium (e.g. a memory circuit) containing instructions that are executable by a processor for generating suitable therapy signals.
- the signal generator 101 and/or other elements of the system 100 can include one or more processor(s) 107, memory unit(s) 108, and/or input/output device(s) 1 12.
- instructions for performing tasks can be stored on or in computer-readable media located at the signal generator 101 and/or other system components.
- the signal generator 101 and/or other system components may include dedicated hardware for executing computer-executable instructions or configured logic circuitry such as FPGAs to perform any one or more methods, processes, and/or sub-processes described in the materials incorporated herein by reference.
- the dedicated hardware also serve as "means for" performing the methods, processes, and/or sub-processes described herein.
- the signal generator 101 can also include multiple portions, elements, and/or subsystems (e.g., for directing signals in accordance with multiple signal delivery parameters), carried in a single housing, as shown in Figure 1 , or in multiple housings.
- the signal generator 101 can also receive and respond to an input signal received from one or more sources.
- the input signals can direct or influence the manner in which the therapy, charging, and/or process instructions are selected, executed, updated, and/or otherwise performed.
- the input signals can be received from one or more sensors (e.g., an input device 1 12 shown schematically in Figure 1 for purposes of illustration) that are carried by the signal generator 101 and/or distributed outside the signal generator 101 (e.g., at other patient locations) while still communicating with the signal generator 101.
- the sensors and/or other input devices 1 12 can provide inputs that depend on or reflect a patient state (e.g., patient position, patient posture, and/or patient activity level), and/or inputs that are patient-independent (e.g., time). Still further details are included in U.S. Patent No. 8,355,797, which is herein incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the signal generator 101 and/or signal delivery devices 1 10 can obtain power to generate the therapy signals from an external power source 103.
- the externa! power source 103 can by-pass an implanted signal generator and be used to generate a therapy signal directly at the signal delivery devices 1 10 (or via signal relay components).
- the external power source 103 can transmit power to the implanted signal generator 101 and/or directly to the signal delivery devices 1 10 using electromagnetic induction (e.g., RF signals).
- the external power source 103 can include an external coil 104 that communicates with a corresponding internal coil (not shown) within the implantable signal generator 101 , signal delivery devices 1 10, and/or a power relay component (not shown).
- the external power source 103 can be portable for ease of use.
- the signal generator 101 can obtain the power to generate therapy signals from an internal power source, in addition to or in lieu of the external power source 103.
- the implanted signal generator 101 can include a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery to provide such power.
- the internal power source includes a rechargeable battery
- the external power source 103 can be used to recharge the battery.
- the external power source 103 can in turn be recharged from a suitable power source (e.g., conventional wall power).
- an external stimulator or trial stimulator 105 can be coupled to the signal delivery elements 1 10 during an initial procedure, prior to implanting the signal generator 101.
- a practitioner e.g., a physician and/or a company representative
- the practitioner uses a cable assembly 120 to temporarily connect the trial stimulator 105 to the signal delivery device 1 10.
- the practitioner can test the efficacy of the signal delivery devices 1 10 in an initial position.
- the practitioner can then disconnect the cable assembly 120 (e.g., at a connector 122), reposition the signal delivery devices 1 10, and reapply the electrical signals.
- This process can be performed iteratively until the practitioner determines the desired position for the signal delivery devices 1 10.
- the practitioner may move the partially implanted signal delivery devices 1 10 without disconnecting the cable assembly 120.
- the iterative process of repositioning the signal delivery devices 1 10 and/or varying the therapy parameters may not be performed.
- the signal generator 101 , the lead extension 102, the trial stimulator 105 and/or the connector 122 can each include a receiving element 109 or coupler that is configured to facilitate the coupling and decoupling procedure between the signal delivery devices 1 10, the lead extension 102, the pulse generator 101 , the trial stimulator 105 and/or the connector 122.
- the receiving elements 109 can be at least generally similar in structure and function to those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 201 1/0071593, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the patient 190 can receive therapy via signals generated by the trial stimulator 105, generally for a limited period of time. During this time, the patient wears the cable assembly 120 and the trial stimulator 105 is secured outside the body. Assuming the trial therapy is effective or shows the promise of being effective, the practitioner then replaces the trial stimulator
- the therapy programs provided by the signal generator 101 can still be updated remotely via a wireless physician's programmer 1 17 (e.g., a physician's laptop, a physician's remote or remote device, etc.) and/or a wireless patient programmer 106 (e.g., a patient's laptop, patient's remote or remote device, etc.).
- a wireless physician's programmer 1 17 e.g., a physician's laptop, a physician's remote or remote device, etc.
- a wireless patient programmer 106 e.g., a patient's laptop, patient's remote or remote device, etc.
- the patient 190 has control over fewer parameters than does the practitioner.
- the capability of the patient programmer 106 may be limited to starting and/or stopping the signal generator 101 , and/or adjusting the signal amplitude.
- the present technology includes receiving patient feedback that is indicative of, or otherwise corresponds to, the patient's response to the signal.
- Feedback includes, but is not limited to, motor, sensory, and verbal feedback in response to the patient feedback, one or more signal parameters can be adjusted, such as frequency, pulse width, amplitude or delivery location.
- the trial stimulator 105 is connected to the signal delivery devices 1 10 within a sterile environment, the trial stimulator 105 must itself be sterile prior to use.
- the trial stimulator is preferably stored in a sterile package 150 that is opened just prior to connecting the triai stimulator to the patient.
- the sterile package 150 is a pouch that is permeable to sterilizing gasses but impermeable to microbe contaminants (e.g. bacteria, viruses, molds etc.). Suitable pouches are made from Tyvek® or other similar gas-permeable materials.
- ETO ethylene oxide
- Ethylene oxide can ignite when exposed to an electrical energy discharge as low as 60 micro-joules. Care must be taken to ensure that any electrical circuitry placed in the packaging is completely or nearly completely discharged prior to exposure to the flammable sterilizing gas.
- the triai stimulator 105 can be tested prior to its removal from the sterile packaging. Such testing can confirm the functionality of the unit prior to be being brought into a sterile operating theatre. In addition to or in lieu of testing, it may also be desirable to update the trial stimulator firmware and/or other software prior to removing the triai stimulator 105 from the packaging.
- an aspect of the presently disclosed technology includes a power control circuit that can be used with a trial stimulator to reduce the amount of energy stored In the trial stimulator to a level that allows the trial stimulator to be safely exposed to (e.g. placed In) a flammable sterilizing gas.
- the presently disclosed power control circuit can limit the battery drain of the trial stimulator while the triai stimulator is in a "sleep state” so that the battery remains sufficiently charged to power the circuit.
- the power control circuit can activate or awaken the trial stimulator while it is still in the sterile packaging.
- the power control circuit of the disclosed technology is described with respect to its use with a trial stimulator for nerve stimulation, it will be appreciated that the power control circuit can be used with other electronic devices that are to be stored prior to use and, in particular, with other electronic devices that are to be sterilized in a flammable gas environment.
- Figure 2 shows an environment in which a trial stimulator 105 is stored in a sterile packaging 150.
- the triai stimulator 105 is programmed with firmware required to control the internal circuitry used to deliver stimulation pulses to one or more electrodes in a patient.
- the packaging 150 is a gas-permeable pouch (e.g. formed from Tyvek® or another suitable material) that allows a gas such as ethylene oxide to penetrate into the packaging and sterilize the trial stimulator 105 inside. The gas is withdrawn through the permeable material and the contents of the packaging 150 remains sterile as long as the packaging remains sealed.
- a gas-permeable pouch e.g. formed from Tyvek® or another suitable material
- the trial stimulator 105 in the sterile packaging 150 is awakened and begins to communicate with an external device such as a pulse programmer 160. Suitable modes of communication include short distance wireless communication protocols (e.g. Bluetooth, ZigBee, 802.1 1 , infrared and/or other suitable protocols).
- the trial stimulator 105 is awakened from a sleep state while still sealed in the sterile packaging 150.
- the trial stimulator 150 begins wirelessly communicating with the programmer 160 to confirm that the trial stimulator 105 is working and/or to confirm that a battery within the trial stimulator has sufficient power to operate the trial stimulator, and/or to update firmware and/or other stored parameters if necessary.
- the power control circuit draws minimal power from the battery so that the power control circuit is able to keep the trial stimulator in a sleep state for several years without draining the battery to the point that it cannot power the trial stimulator.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power control circuit 200 configured in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed technology.
- the power control circuit 200 incudes a power source such as a battery 202 or other energy storage device (e.g. an energy storage capacitor).
- the battery voltage (VW) is connected to the trial stimulator circuitry 206 via an electronically controlled switch (e.g. a transistor) 204.
- the circuitry 206 includes, among other things, a processor, non-volatile memory for storing instructions or parameters, a radio transceiver for communicating with an external device and/or voltage regulators that produce higher voltages used to deliver the therapeutic pulses to the patient.
- the circuitry 206 may include energy storage devices (e.g.
- a bi-stable switch 220 controls one or more transistors 204, 222 to put the circuitry of the trial stimulator in a sleep state.
- the bi-stable switch 220 puts the trial stimulator in a sleep state by turning off the transistor 204 so that power from the battery does not reach the circuitry 206 in the trial stimulator in addition, any bus voltage levels and stored energy on the energy storage devices that could potentially ignite a sterilizing gas are drawn down to zero or near zero potential through one or more transistors 222.
- the bi-stabie switch 220 operates as a flip flop circuit to produce an output that places the trial stimulator in a run state when battery power is first applied to the switch 220.
- a processor (not shown) within the trial stimulator circuitry 206 can provide a signal on a line 208 that causes the bi-stable switch 220 to change states and produce a signal that puts the trial stimulator in a sleep state.
- the signal on line 208 from the processor can be activated once a self- test routine is complete.
- the processor or other logic circuit can receive a command from an external programmer (not shown) via a wireless connection to put the trial stimulator in a sleep state.
- a remotely actuatable switch 226 (e.g. a switch that is actuatable from outside the packaging 150 shown in Figure 2) is provided to change the state of the bi- stable switch 220 and cause the bi-stable switch to produce a signal causing the connected circuitry to exit the sleep state and enter the run state.
- the switch 226 can be operated through the sterile packaging so that the trial stimulator need not be removed from the packaging in order to cause the trial stimulator to enter the run state.
- Suitable remotely actuatable switches include, but are not limited to, magnetically activated reed switches, mechanical switches, pressure activated switches, light activated switches, shock activated switches, and/or Hall-effect switches in some embodiments, the switch 226 is mechanically operated so that it does not need to be powered while the trial stimulator is in the sleep state.
- the switch 226 is a magnetically activated reed switch. Placing a magnet on the outside of the sterile packaging near the switch 226 closes the reed switch and causes the power control circuit to produce an output that puts the trial stimulator in the run state. More particularly, closing the switch 226 causes the bi-stable switch 200 to generate an output that turns on the transistor 204 and applies the battery voltage to the circuitry 206 within the trial stimulator in addition, dosing the switch 226 turns off the transistor 222 and allows the energy storage devices in the trial stimulator to charge.
- FIG 4 is a schematic diagram of a representative embodiment of the power control circuit 200 shown in Figure 3.
- the power control circuit 200 includes the bi-stable switch 220 that is configured as a JK flip flop.
- the flip flop includes two cross- connected FET transistors 250 and 254.
- Each of the first and second transistors 250, 254 has a source terminal that is grounded.
- the drain terminal of the first transistor 250 is connected through a first 10 MW resistor 258 to the battery voltage Vbat.
- the drain of the second transistor 254 is connected through a second 10 MW resistor 260 to the battery voltage Vbat.
- the node between the drain terminal of the second transistor 254 and the second resistor 260 is connected through a first 1 MW resistor to the gate of the first transistor 250.
- the node between the drain of the first transistor 250 and first resistor 258 is connected through a second 1 MO resistor to the gate of the second transistor 254. in this way, when the first transistor 250 is turned on, the second transistor 254 is held off. Conversely, when the second transistor 254 is turned on, the first transistor 250 is held off.
- an output 262 of the flip flop circuit that is taken at the node between the drain of the second transistor 254 and the second resistor 260 drives a number of transistors that reduce the energy stored in a connected circuit when the circuit is in a sleep state.
- the output 262 feeds a gate of a p-type FET transistor 270 such that when the output 262 is a logic low level, the transistor 270 is turned on and connects the battery power to the connected circuitry 206.
- the output 262 is connected to gates of one or more n-type FET transistors 280a, 280b etc. When the output 262 is a logic low level, transistors 280a, 280b are turned off.
- the output 262 goes to a logic high level and the transistor 270 is turned off, thereby disconnecting the battery power from the connected circuitry 206.
- the logic high level on output 262 turns the transistors 280a, 280b on.
- the transistors 280a, 280b are configured to connect any busses and any energy storage devices on the busses or other powered lines to ground through a 1 KW resistor so that their voltage is zero or near zero and the energy stored on the capacitors is less than an ignition energy level of a flammable sterilization gas.
- the energy stored in the connected circuitry 208 while in the sleep state is reduced to less than 1/10th of that which could ignite a sterilizing gas (e.g. reduced to about 6 uJoules or less for ETO).
- the connected circuitry 206 is put into a sleep state.
- a first 1000 pF capacitor 264 is connected between the battery voltage and the gate of the second transistor 254.
- a second 1000 pF capacitor 266 is connected to the gate of the first transistor 250 and ground.
- the first capacitor 264 acts as a short and the battery voltage appears at the gate of the second transistor 254 turning it on and producing a logic low level on the output 262 thereby placing the connected circuitry 206 in a run state in this way, if a new battery is placed into the circuit, the connected circuitry 206 will immediately begin to operate in the run state.
- Capacitors 264, 266 also shunt stray EMF signals to ground or the battery and lessen the likelihood that any such EMF will change the state of the flip flop.
- the power control circuit 200 will keep the connected circuitry operating in the run state until it is commanded to turn off.
- an N-type FET transistor 290 has a drain connected to the gate of the second transistor 254. When the transistor 290 is turned on, the gate of the second transistor 254 is connected to ground and the second transistor 254 is turned off. The output 262 of the power control circuit then goes to a logic high level and the connected circuitry enters the sleep state.
- a signal that controls the transistor 290 is received from a processor or other logic circuit in the connected circuitry 206, such that when the circuit completes a self-test or is commanded by an external controller, the processor puts a logic level on the gate of the transistor 290 to take the circuitry out of the run state and put it into the sleep state.
- a resistor/capacitor combination are connected to the gate of transistor 290 to de-bounce any jitters on the signal applied to the gate of transistor 290.
- the power control circuit 200 will continue to produce an output to keep the connected circuitry in the sleep state until the flip flop changes states.
- a remotely actuatable switch 300 such as a magnetically activated reed relay is connected between the battery voltage through a 10 KW resistor 292 and diode 294 to the gate of the second transistor 254.
- a resistor divider is connected between the resistor 292 and the in-line diode 294 so that a processor or other logic circuit can detect whether the switch 300 is closed or open depending on the voltage level produced by the resistor divider.
- the remotely actuatable switch 300 can be activated from outside of the sterile packaging so that the connected circuitry can be turned on without removing it from the packaging.
- switches that can be activated through the sterile packaging could also be used such as pressure switches, shock activated switches, light activated switches or even mechanically controlled switches that can be activated through the packaging.
- a Hail effect switch can also be used, depending on the current draw required to remain powered.
- the power control circuit 200 operates to selectively apply the battery voltage to connected circuitry in a run state and to bleed or drain energy from energy storage devices in a sleep state in some embodiments, the power control circuit may leave the battery voltage connected to some circuitry, provided that the current drain is not too great for long periods of storage (e.g. several months to years). However, the power control circuit 200 should drain the energy from the busses/capacitors such that the total energy stored in the circuitry is less than a level that could ignite any sterilizing gas.
- bi-stable switch configurations other than a JK flip flop could be used including D-type flip flops, RS-type flip flops or other logic configurations that are configured to retain a state until directed to change states and that draw little power in general
- any bi-stable switch configuration with the following features could be used: 1 ) the bi-stable switch state is maintained with a very small amount of power such that the battery is not unduly depleted in long-term storage; 2) the bi-stable switch reliably powers up in a known state, either on or off, when the battery is replaced; 3) the bi- stable switch is tolerant of EMF interference such that it cannot easily be switched by such fields.
- the disclosed embodiments can be used with circuitry other than implantable circuitry for treating pain with electrical pulses.
- the disclosed embodiments can be used with implantable cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators or other implantable or non-implantable electronic devices that require sterilization before use and that store sufficient energy that could ignite a flammable sterilizing gas.
- Other uses for the disclosed technology include use in treating acute or episodic conditions with neuro-stimulators. These devices require leads that pierce the skin and are generally implanted under sterile conditions. A sterile stimulator with the disclosed power control circuit can make installation and testing of these leads more convenient for the patient and physician.
- the disclosed technology can be used with devices that are to be placed in a sleep state and de-powered to a safe handling level without the need to be placed in an explosive sterilizing environment.
- circuitry for high voltage power supplies such as the type used in X-ray imaging equipment, ultrasound imaging, MRI devices, cathode ray displays or other vacuum tube-based designs or other devices that produce voltage levels that are potentially dangerous if touched or if they arc.
- Other representative non-medical devices that can be powered down in a sleep state include circuits for use in rockets or other devices that are sometimes exposed to flammable environments during use or storage.
- the disclosed circuitry can be used to place such devices in a sleep state until they are to be awakened in an environment where the presence of higher voltages is not dangerous.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/US2019/016153 WO2020159526A1 (en) | 2019-01-31 | 2019-01-31 | Power control circuit for sterilized devices, and associated systems and methods |
Publications (2)
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EP3917612A1 true EP3917612A1 (en) | 2021-12-08 |
EP3917612A4 EP3917612A4 (en) | 2022-08-31 |
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EP19913183.0A Pending EP3917612A4 (en) | 2019-01-31 | 2019-01-31 | Power control circuit for sterilized devices, and associated systems and methods |
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EP (1) | EP3917612A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2019427479A1 (en) |
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WO (1) | WO2020159526A1 (en) |
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US8721638B2 (en) * | 2012-07-30 | 2014-05-13 | Edward Martin Deutscher | Gas sensing surgical device and method of use |
US10980999B2 (en) * | 2017-03-09 | 2021-04-20 | Nevro Corp. | Paddle leads and delivery tools, and associated systems and methods |
-
2019
- 2019-01-31 AU AU2019427479A patent/AU2019427479A1/en active Pending
- 2019-01-31 EP EP19913183.0A patent/EP3917612A4/en active Pending
- 2019-01-31 CR CR20210414A patent/CR20210414A/en unknown
- 2019-01-31 WO PCT/US2019/016153 patent/WO2020159526A1/en unknown
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AU2019427479A1 (en) | 2021-08-05 |
WO2020159526A1 (en) | 2020-08-06 |
EP3917612A4 (en) | 2022-08-31 |
CR20210414A (en) | 2021-12-01 |
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