Circuitry to assist with neural sensing in an implantable stimulator device in the presence of stimulation artifacts

Abstract

Sense amplifier circuits particularly useful in sensing neural responses in an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) are disclosed. The IPG includes a plurality of electrodes, with one selected as a sensing electrode and another selected as a reference to differentially sense the neural response in a manner that subtracts a common mode voltage (e.g., stimulation artifact) from the measurement. The circuits include a differential amplifier which receives the selected electrodes at its inputs, and comparator circuitries to assess each differential amplifier input to determine whether it is of a magnitude that is consistent with the differential amplifier's input requirements. Based on these determinations, an enable signal is generated which informs whether the output of the differential amplifier validly provides the neural response at any point in time. Further, clamping circuits are connected to the differential amplifier inputs to clamp these inputs in magnitude to prevent the differential amplifier from damage.