3M Innovative Properties Company

William L Sondermann

David John Fischer

Alan P Dieken

Jonathan C Platt

Joel R Dufresne

Apparatus and electrical circuitry are provided for electrical devices in order to provide electrical isolation of exposed electrical contacts on at least one of multiple modules of the electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one actuating component in one module and at least one sensor component within a second module in electrical communication with electrical circuitry, whereby electrical isolation of the exposed electrical contacts ceases when the sensor apparatus senses a desired location of the module. Placement of the apparatus and electrical circuitry to reside within the modules promotes electrical safety while minimizing tampering with safety aspects of the device. The apparatus and circuitry are useful for medical devices such as handheld diagnostic devices and consumer devices such as telephones.

Electrical safety system for electrical device

A biological tissue stimulator is disclosed having an adjustable high voltage power supply. The high voltage power supply is coupled to a battery producing a high voltage signal to be supplied to an output circuit for supplying an electrical stimulation signal of a predetermined current amplitude. An electrode is coupled to the electrical stimulation pulse and is adapted to be coupled to the biological tissue to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the biological tissue. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the output stage and to the adjustable high voltage power supply for comparing the amplitude of the high voltage signal to the amplitude of the voltage drop across the biological load and adjusting the amplitude of the high voltage signal dependent upon the result of that comparison. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the amplitude of the high voltage signal to minimize the difference in the amplitude between the high voltage signal and the voltage drop across the biological load thereby maximizing the energy efficiency of the biological tissue stimulator.

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Circle Pines, MN, United States of America

William L Sondermann