Signaling error conditions in an implantable medical device system using simple charging coil telemetry
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
- a charging coil configured to receive power from an external charger; and
error modulator circuitry configured to determine whether one of a plurality of errors is present in the implantable medical device and configured to modulate an impedance of the charging coil to communicate an indication of a determined error to the external charger,wherein the indication of each one of the plurality of errors is communicated by modulating an impedance of the charging coil at a unique frequency.
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Abstract
The disclosed techniques allow for externalizing errors from an implantable medical device using the device'"'"'s charging coil, for receipt at an external charger or other external device. Transmission of errors in this manner is particularly useful when telemetry of error codes through a traditional telemetry coil in the implant is not possible, for example, because the error experienced is so fundamental as to preclude use of such traditional means. By externalizing the error via the charging coil, and though the use of robust error modulation circuitry in the implant designed to be generally insensitive to fundamental errors, the external charger can be consulted to understand the failure mode involved, and to take appropriate action.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a charging coil configured to receive power from an external charger; and error modulator circuitry configured to determine whether one of a plurality of errors is present in the implantable medical device and configured to modulate an impedance of the charging coil to communicate an indication of a determined error to the external charger, wherein the indication of each one of the plurality of errors is communicated by modulating an impedance of the charging coil at a unique frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device; and an external charger configured to transmit power to the implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device comprises; a charging coil configured to receive the power from the external charger, and error modulator circuitry configured to determine whether one of a plurality of errors is present in the implantable medical device and configured to modulate an impedance of the charging coil to communicate an indication of a determined error to the external charger, wherein the indication of each one of the plurality of errors is communicated by modulating an impedance of the charging coil at a unique frequency. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating an implantable medical device, comprising:
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initializing the implantable medical device for operation; during initialization, experiencing an error in the implantable medical device; and broadcasting an indication of the error from a charging coil in the implantable medical device to an external charger, wherein the charging coil is configured to receive power sent from the external charger. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification