Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory

Details Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory

G - Physics

11

C

G11C 16/02 (2006.01) A61N 1/365 (2006.01) A61N 1/37 (2006.01) A61N 1/372 (2006.01) G11C 7/00 (2006.01)

Patent

CA 2063560

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESSING A NONVOLATILE MEMORY ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) following hermetic closure of a device containing the EEPROM. In specific application, the EEPROM is associated with other circuitry within the hermetically sealed enclosure and accessed by a direct connection to a feedthrough pin extending through the hermetic enclosure. Following hermetic sealing, the memory is still accessible with low voltage and coded pulses for programming the memory in any desired fashion having utility with respect to the other circuitry and the overall function of the hermetically sealed device. In the implantable medical device field, the invention may be utilized to program in the device serial number or similar data (after all quality and reliability tests are concluded) which may be telemetered out of the device on command of an external programmer/transceiver in order to identify the device. In a specific application, a rate responsive implantable demand pacemaker, an activity sensor mounted within the hermetically sealed enclosure is electrically connected to the EEPROM and other operating circuitry. At final test, the output of the activity sensor may be checked against specific levels of mechanical activity input applied to the exterior of the enclosure by observing the pacing rates developed from the sensor signal values, calculating a gain factor, storing the gain factor(s) in the EEPROM for adjusting the activity sensor derived pacing rate through its normal range of response. This trimming of the response of the activity sensor minimizes the number of completed medical devices that fail to meet specification tolerances and allows those tolerances to be narrowed to assure relatively consistent variations in pacing rate as a function of applied mechanical force to the exterior of the hermetically sealed enclosure. The EEPROM stored factor(s) may be entered only through the dedicated feedthrough and the programming circuitry. i once the factor(s) is stored and its accuracy is confirmed by retesting the pacing rate, the dedicated feedthrough pin is removed or rendered inaccessible. Normal programming of volatile random access memory (RAM) by use of the external programmer/transceiver cannot be employed to alter the contents of the EEPROM. Moreover, the nonvolatile EEPROM memory would not be subject to change or loss caused by cold storage of the device prior to implant or electrical interference encountered if the patient undergoes cautery during surgical procedures or i defibrillation procedures, electrostatic discharge or high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for accessing a nonvolatile memory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFCA-PAI-O-1878228