OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUITRY

摘要

Overvoltage protection circuitry configured to protect internal integrated circuits within an implantable device in the presence of a high voltage event such as defibrillation or electrocautery. The circuitry allows for an internal node to rise above the voltage level of the high voltage event to insure that an overvoltage protection element is triggered, even if the voltage level of the high voltage event is below the voltage trigger level of the overvoltage protection element.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
in a stimulation mode, delivering electrical stimulation via at least two stimulation electrodes of a stimulator device; configuring the stimulator device, by a processor of the stimulator device, for operation in a non-stimulation mode, such that a capacitor of the stimulator device is electrically in series with overvoltage protection circuitry of the stimulator device; and in the non-stimulation mode, shunting, by the overvoltage protection circuitry and in response to a voltage stored by the capacitor exceeding a threshold voltage of the overvoltage protection circuitry, current between a first stimulation electrode of the at least two stimulation electrodes and a second stimulation electrode of the at least two stimulation electrodes.