Microwave Field Stimulator

Abstract

A system includes a controller module, which includes a storage device, a controller, a modulator, and one or more antennas. The storage device is stored with parameters defining a stimulation waveform. The controller is configured to generate, based on the stored parameters, an output signal that includes the stimulation waveform, wherein the output signal additionally includes polarity assignments for electrodes in an implantable, passive stimulation device. The modulator modulates a stimulus carrier signal with the output signal to generate a transmission signal. The one or more antennas transmit the transmission signal to the implantable, passive stimulation device such that the implantable, passive stimulation device uses energy in the transmission signal for operation, sets the polarities for the electrodes in the implantable, passive stimulation device based on the encoded polarity assignments, generates electrical pulses using the stimulation waveform, and applies the electrical pulses to excitable tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a controller module comprising:
 a storage device configured to store parameters defining a stimulation waveform and polarity assignments for electrodes in an implantable passive stimulation device that includes a power-on reset circuit, control logic, stimulation circuitry, and stimulation electrodes; 
 a controller configured to generate, based on the stored parameters and polarity assignments, an output signal that includes an initial power-on portion followed by a configuration portion that encodes the polarity assignments followed by a stimulation portion that includes the stimulation waveform; 
 a modulator configured to modulate a stimulus carrier signal with the output signal to generate a transmission signal; 
 one or more antennas configured to transmit the transmission signal to the implantable passive stimulation device such that the power-on reset circuit uses energy in the power-on portion to generate a power-on reset signal that resets the control logic, the control logic reads the polarity assignment information encoded in the configuration portion and sets the polarities for the electrodes, and the stimulation circuitry generates electrical pulses using the stimulation waveform and applies the electrical pulses to excitable tissue.