Allegro Microsystems, LLC

Envoy Medical Corporation

Joshua J Wibben

Paul R Mazanec

Timothy J Earnest

Benjamin R Whittington

Robert J Stoddard

Kurt Kimber

Travis Michael Beckerle

Peter Tod

Cochlear implant systems can include a cochlear electrode, a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode, a signal processor in communication with the stimulator, and an implantable battery and/or communication module. The signal processor can receive an input signal from an input source and output a stimulation signal to the stimulator based on the received input signal and a transfer function of the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module may be configured to provide electrical power to the signal processor. The signal processor may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a first impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication. The implantable battery and/or communication module may include circuitry and a can surrounding and housing the circuitry as well as a second impedance between the circuitry and the can to reduce unintended electrical communication.

Fully implantable modular cochlear implant system

Cochlear implant systems can include first and second subsystems, each subsystem including an input source, a signal processor, a stimulator, and a cochlear electrode. A single implantable battery and/or communication module can provide power to and communicate with each subsystem, such as via each signal processor. Systems can include separate leads providing separate communication between the implantable battery and/or communication module and each subsystem, or can include a bifurcated lead providing signals to both subsystems simultaneously. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to output addressed signals designating for which subsystem a signal is intended. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to separately update settings associated with each respective subsystem, such as a transfer function associated with each signal processor.

Implantable cochlear system with integrated components and lead characterization

Cochlear implant systems can include a signal processor, an implantable battery and/or communication module, and a plurality of conductors coupling the implantable battery and/or communication module and the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can communicate data and deliver electrical power to the signal processor via the plurality of conductors. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to perform characterization process to determine one or more characteristics of one or more such conductors. Characterization processes can include determining an impedance between two conductors as a function of frequency, determining whether a conductor is intact, and determining an impedance of a given conductor. Some characterization processes include grounding one or more conductors.

Systems including a rechargeable energy storage device can include a temperature sensor and a controller configured to receive temperature information representative of a temperature proximate the rechargeable energy storage device. The controller can be configured to receive or determine a second charging parameter associated with the charging of the rechargeable energy storage device, such as charging duration, and compare the temperature or the second parameter to a corresponding threshold. If the parameter associated with the charging the rechargeable energy storage device (e.g., charging duration and/or the temperature information) exceeds the corresponding threshold, the controller can reduce the amount of electrical current provided to the rechargeable energy storage device during charging. This can enable charging the rechargeable energy storage device at a maximum rate without exceeding thermal dose safety standards associated with charging the rechargeable energy storage device.

Predicting a cumulative thermal dose in implantable battery recharge systems and methods

A switching voltage regulator with variable minimum off-time. The value of the minimum off-time may depend on the voltage across a bootstrap capacitor. The value of the minimum off-time defines a minimum time for a switch to be open and to allow the bootstrap capacitor to charge.

Switching voltage regulator with variable minimum off-time

A switching regulator control circuit includes a circuit configured to generate a control signal to control conduction of the regulator switch in response to a reference signal that is ramped to control a rate of change of the regulated output of the regulator and the control signal is gated in response to a PWM signal.

Control circuit for a switching regulator driving an LED load with controlled PWM dimming

An integrated circuit an open pin detector includes a current source coupled to the pin, a comparator having a first input coupled to the pin, a second input responsive to a threshold voltage, and an output at which a comparator output signal is provided. A controller is responsive to the comparator output signal to provide an enable signal to the current source and an open pin signal indicative of an open pin condition at the pin. A method for detecting an open pin condition of a pin of an integrated circuit includes comparing the pin voltage to a first threshold voltage level, initiating open pin detection in response to the pin voltage falling below the first threshold voltage level, such as by providing a current to the pin, and indicating an open pin condition if the pin voltage rises to exceed a second threshold voltage level within a predetermined time interval. Also described is preventing the pin voltage from exceeding a predetermined voltage level during open pin detection.

Circuits and techniques for detecting an open pin condition of an integrated circuit

A switching regulator control circuit comprises a first control circuit to control conduction of the switch according to a first mode of operation and having a regulation point and a second control circuit to control conduction of the switch according to a second mode of operation in response to a reference signal that is calibrated to have a predetermined relationship with respect to the regulation point of the first control circuit. In some embodiments, the reference signal is calibrated to be a predetermined amount greater than the regulation point of the first control circuit and may be calibrated during the first mode of operation or in response to a regulator start or restart event.

Circuits and techniques for improving regulation in a regulator having more than one mode of operation

A driver circuit for driving a switching transistor includes a dead time calibration circuit and/or a quick start circuit. The dead time calibration circuit includes a delay comparator to compare a present delay between the low side switch turning off or the high side switch turning off and a voltage at a switch node between the high side switch and the low side switch to a past delay and a controller responsive to the comparison is configured to adjust the delay of an adjustable delay element coupled to a control terminal of a switching transistor. The quick start circuit includes a quick start signal generator having an adjustable delay element to generate a quick start signal having a pulse to turn on the switching transistor for a quick start interval, a quick start comparator configured to monitor the quick start signal, and a control circuit responsive to the comparison by the quick start comparator to adjust the delay of the delay element.

Switching regulator with controllable dead time and quick start

A driver circuit for driving a switching transistor having a control terminal responsive to a switching control signal includes a plurality of driver stages, each having a control input responsive to a respective driver control signal and an output coupled to the output of the other driver stages and to the control terminal of the switching transistor. At least one of the driver control signals has an on time that is delayed with respect to the other driver control signals. In an embodiment, at least two driver stages are on during a slew time interval.

Switching regulator with controllable slew rate

A regulator control circuit includes a switch control signal generator to generate a switch control signal and a soft start circuit to generate a soft start signal for use by the switch control signal generator. The soft start circuit includes a soft start controller and a decreasing circuit to decrease the soft start signal in response to the soft start controller. The soft start controller may comprise a non-regulation detector to detect a non-regulation condition. Embodiments include decreasing the soft start signal in response to a non-regulation condition lasting a predetermined time, detecting the non-regulation condition in response to a maximum duty cycle of the regulator switch, generating a soft start level indicator to control decreasing the soft start signal, and maintaining the soft start signal at a predetermined relationship with respect to a feedback signal.

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New Brighton, MN, United States of America

Joshua J Wibben