Efficient dynamic stimulation in an implanted device

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance. The apparatus comprises a capacitor, and circuitry which is adapted to charge the capacitor to a potential, and discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue. The apparatus further comprises a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, which is coupled to the circuitry, and which is adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance, comprising:
 a capacitor;   circuitry which is adapted to:
 charge the capacitor to a potential, and 
 discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue; and 
   a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, which is coupled to the circuitry, and which is adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the resistance comprises a value so that substantially no anodal break excitation occurs in the tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the circuitry is adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period. 
     
     
         23 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . Apparatus for stimulating tissue having a capacitance, comprising:
 charge circuitry which is adapted to apply a potential to the tissue, causing a voltage to develop across the capacitance of the tissue;   discharge circuitry which is adapted to inject a current to the tissue so as to discharge the capacitance; and   feedback circuitry which is adapted to monitor the potential and to control the current in response to the potential.   
     
     
         63 . A method for stimulating tissue having a capacitance, comprising:
 applying a potential to the tissue so as to cause a voltage to develop across the capacitance of the tissue;   injecting a current to the tissue so as to discharge the capacitance;   monitoring the potential to generate a monitored potential; and   controlling the current in response to the monitored potential.   
     
     
         64 . A method for stimulating a tissue having a tissue capacitance, comprising:
 providing a capacitor;   providing circuitry which is adapted to charge the capacitor to a potential, and discharge the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue; and   providing a resistive element, having a resistance which is controlled by the circuitry, and which is coupled to the circuitry and adapted to substantially short-circuit the tissue capacitance responsive to a control signal generated by the circuitry.   
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the resistance comprises a value so that substantially no anodal break excitation occurs in the tissue. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein providing the circuitry comprises providing the circuitry adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein providing the circuitry comprises providing the circuitry adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the circuitry is adapted to generate the control signal at a time so as to implement a predetermined stimulation level to the tissue. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus according to  claim 70 , wherein the time directly follows a completion of the discharge period.