Mixed-Signal IC With Pulse Width Modulation Wireless Telemetry for Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers in 0.18-μm CMOS

Abstract

A low-power mixed-signal IC for implantable pacemakers is presented. The proposed system features three independent intracardiac signal readout channels with pulse-width-modulated outputs. Also, the proposed system is capable of measuring the amplitude and phase of the bioimpedance with pulse-width-modulated outputs for use in rate adaptive pacemakers. Moreover, a stimulation system is embedded, offering 16 different amplitudes from 1 to 7.8 V. A backscattering transmitter transfers the output signals outside the body with very little power consumption. The proposed low-power mixed-signal IC is fabricated in a 0.18-μm HV CMOS process and occupies 2.38 mm². The biopotential channels extract the heart signals with 9.2 effective number of bits and the bioimpedance channels measure the amplitude and phase of the heart impedance with 1.35 Ω_rms accuracy. The complete IC consumes only 4.2 μA from a 1-V power supply.