| abstract |
The implantable electro-acupuncture (EA) device provides stimulation pulses 219 that are applied to specific blood or other target tissue locations for treatment of specific diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the EA device having at least two electrodes 110, 120 attached to the outer surface of the EA device's housing 122, 124 is implantable, thin, coin-sized, self-contained, and has a lid. No (leadless, Fig. 1). The EA device generates stimulation pulses according to a specific stimulation regimen (FIGS. 15A, 15B). The power management circuits 200 and 210 within the device allow a thin coin-cell primary battery 215 with a high internal impedance to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen produces stimulation pulses with an amplitude of up to 25 mA during a stimulation session of a duration of T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle or ratio T3/T4 is very low and not greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management keep the device performing its intended function for years. |