OPTICALLY CONTROLLED HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCH FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR

摘要

An implantable defribillator with an optically-controlled high-voltage switch. A three-terminal high-voltage-tolerant semiconductor switch (88) exhibits high conductivity between its high-voltage terminal (HV) and its common terminal (COM) in response to a low control voltage applied between its control terminal (CRT) and its common terminal (COM), where the low control voltage exceeds a characteristic threshold value, and exhibits low conductivity between same where the control voltage is less than the characteristic threshold value. A photovoltaic coupler/isolator (82) having a light emitting device (90) and a photovoltaic device (92), optically coupled to and electrically isolated from each other, is in circuit communication across the control and common terminals. A low voltage current source (80) drives the light emitting device (90) of the photovoltaic coupler/isolator (82). A switch-off opto-isolator (84) having a light emitting device (94) and a light sensitive conductive device (96), optically coupled to and electrically isolated from each other, is in circuit communication across the control and common terminals of the semiconductor switch (88). A switch-off low voltage current source (86) drives the light emitting device (94) of the switch-off opto-isolator having a light sensitive conductive device, optically coupled and electrically isolated from each other, is in series circuit communication between the photovoltaic device and the semiconductor switch. A switch-on low voltage current source drives the light emitting device of the switch-on opto-isolator.