Sync pulse detector

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices and methods used with neurostimulation therapy for spinal cord injury. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sync pulse detector and methods for synchronizing signals from an implanted neurostimulator with measured physiological responses and other data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sync pulse detector, comprising:
 a housing;   a receiver for receiving a non-packet based electromagnetic signal;   a circuit within the housing, the circuit for converting the electromagnetic signal into a digital signal; and   means for transmitting the digital signal from the sync pulse detector.   
     
     
         2 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the non-packet based electromagnetic signal is generated by a device implanted in a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 2 , wherein the sync pulse detector is external to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is an inductive coil. 
     
     
         5 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 4 , wherein the inductive coil is inductively coupled to an electromagnetic pulse generator implanted in a patient. 
     
     
         6 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the means for transmitting the digital signal is an electrical conductor extending between the sync pulse detector and a receiving device. 
     
     
         7 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the non-packet based electromagnetic signal is a dedicated signal. 
     
     
         8 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the non-packet based electromagnetic signal is an electric pulse generated by an implanted pulse generator. 
     
     
         9 . The sync pulse detector of  claim 1 , wherein the digital signal is a square wave. 
     
     
         10 . A method for detecting an electromagnetic pulse, comprising:
 providing an electromagnetic pulse generator implanted in a patient;   providing a sync pulse detector external to the patent;   generating a non-packet based electromagnetic pulse using the electromagnetic pulse generator; and   detecting the electromagnetic pulse using the sync pulse detector.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electromagnetic pulse generator is operatively coupled to an electrode array. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising converting, by the sync pulse detector, the detected electromagnetic pulse into a digital signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting, by the sync pulse detector, the digital signal to a receiving device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the receiving device is a technical user interface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said transmitting occurs via a wired connection between the sync pulse detector and the receiving device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the digital signal is a square wave. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sync pulse generator includes a receiver inductively coupled to the electromagnetic pulse generator. 
     
     
         18 . A method of synchronizing delivery of electrostimulation, comprising:
 associating a sync pulse detector with an implanted device via electromagnetic induction, wherein the implanted device is implanted in a patient and wherein the implanted device is configured to deliver electrostimulation to the patient to elicit a response from the patient;   transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the implanted device substantially upon delivery of electrostimulation to the patient;   receiving the electromagnetic signal by the sync pulse detector at a first time;   detecting onset of the response from the patient at a second time;   comparing the first time and the second time to synchronize delivery of electrostimulation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising associating the sync pulse detector with a receiving device via an electrical conductor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising converting the electromagnetic signal into a digital signal and transmitting the digital signal to the receiving device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein transmitting the electromagnetic signal from the implanted device substantially upon delivery of electrostimulation to the patient includes transmitting the electromagnetic signal within 5 milliseconds of delivery of electrostimulation to the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein transmitting the electromagnetic signal from the implanted device substantially upon delivery of electrostimulation to the patient includes transmitting the electromagnetic signal within 2 milliseconds of delivery of electrostimulation to the patient.