Charger for an implant

• US 10,238,468 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2017
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Forsell
• Original Assignee: Peter Forsell
• Inventors: Forsell, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Foxx, Chico A
• Application Number:
  US15/431,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20170231717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2046 Tracking techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/373 using light, e.g. by using optical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0031 for constricting the lumen; Support slings for the urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8287 operated by an external magnetic or electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 : specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 : Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 : Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 : characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 : involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 : involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 : with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A system and method for supplying energy to an implanted medical device is disclosed. The system comprises an internal charger having a first coil, an external charged arranged to wirelessly transmit energy to supply the internal charger with energy, the external charger comprising a second coil, and a wireless feedback system arranged to transmit feedback information from the internal charger to the external charger. The feedback information is based on information obtained from at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.

Claims

1. A system for supplying energy to an implantable medical device when implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising

an internal power supply arranged to be implanted in the patient'"'"'s body for supplying energy to said implanted medical device, the internal power supply comprising a receiver comprising a first coil,

an external power supply arranged to wirelessly transmit energy to charge the internal power supply, the external power supply comprising a second coil,

a power switch configured to switch said first coil on and off from connection with said medical device, and

an internal control unit arranged to control a transmission of feedback information related to the charging of said internal power supply and to control the power switch,

wherein the power switch can either be separate and controlled by the internal control unit or be integrated in the internal control unit,

the system further being adapted to recognize impedance variations in the load of the second coil when the power switch is switched on and off wherein the external power supply is arranged to be moved in relation to the internal power supply when the power switch is repeatedly switched on and off, resulting in an impedance variation depending on the position of said external power supply.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply is arranged to detect a maximum impedance variation when moved in relation to the internal power supply.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator arranged to indicate an increased energy supply to the internal power supply in response to an increased impedance variation.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply is adapted to calibrate the system by increasing an amount of transferred energy to the internal power supply until a response of said impedance variation is detected.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply further comprises an indicator arranged to indicate a change in said impedance variation.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein the external power supply comprises an analyzer arranged to analyze the impedance variations detected and arranged to indicate an optimal placement of said second coil in relation to said first coil based on the analyzed impedance variations.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply comprises a display arranged to display and/or indicate at least one of:

the feedback information and information derived therefrom.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the display comprises a number of differently colored light sources.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback information is related to the strength of an electromagnetic field generated by the external charger.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply further comprises a receiver for receiving feedback information related to the charging received in said internal power supply as an impedance variation in the first coil load, when the connection between the first coil and the implanted medical device is switched on and off.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the power switch is an emergency switch, arranged to disconnect the first coil from the implantable medical device when a received and accumulated energy level exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the internal control unit is arranged to control the switch based on at least one measured electrical parameter relating to the received and accumulated energy level supplying energy to the medical device, and provide the feedback information related to the charging of said internal power supply, and wherein the external power supply is adapted to use such feedback information to control the amount of transferred energy from the external power supply to be supplied wirelessly to the internal power supply for powering the medical device.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the electrical parameter is a derivative of another electrical parameter.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the electrical parameter comprises an energy balance related parameter, comprising information if the energy to charge the medical device inside the body is increasing or decreasing.

14. The system according to claim 13, adapted to derive the energy balance related parameter based on a rate of increase or decrease of the received and accumulated energy to charge the medical device inside the body.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the internal control unit is adapted to control the switch to switch on and off to control the received and accumulated energy to charge the medical device inside the body.

16. A method for operating a system for supplying energy to an implantable medical device when implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:

an internal power supply arranged to be implanted in the patient'"'"'s body for supplying energy to said implanted medical device, the internal power supply comprising a receiver comprising a first coil,

an external power supply arranged to charge said internal power supply, the external power supply comprising a second coil,

a power switch configured to switch said first coil on and off from connection with said medical device, and

an internal control unit arranged to control the power switch and a transmission of feedback information related to the charging received in said internal power supply, wherein the power switch can either be separate and controlled by the internal control unit or be integrated in the internal control unit,

wherein the method comprises;

wirelessly transmitting energy from the external power supply to the internal power supply,

switching said first coil on and off from connection with said medical device, and

transmitting feedback information related to the charging received in said internal power supply, wherein

said method further comprising a step of moving the external power supply in relation to the internal power supply when the power switch is repeatedly switched on and off, resulting in an impedance variation depending on the position of said external power supply.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of increasing an amount of transferred energy to the internal power supply until a response of said impedance variation is detected.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of indicating a positive or negative change in the impedance variation.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

analyzing the impedance variation, and

optimizing the placement for maximum impedance variation of said second coil in relation to said first coil based on the analyzed impedance variations.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising generating a signal indicative of the impedance variation.

21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising indicating and/or displaying the feedback information or information derived therefrom.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the power switch is an emergency switch, arranged to disconnect the first coil from the implantable medical device when a received and accumulated energy level exceeds a predetermined level, further comprising the steps of controlling the power switch based on at least one measured electrical parameter relating to the received and accumulated energy level supplying energy to the medical device, providing the feedback information related to the charging of said internal power supply, and using such feedback information to control the amount of transferred energy from the external power supply to be supplied wirelessly to the internal power supply for powering the medical device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the electrical parameter is derived from another electrical parameter.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the electrical parameter comprises an energy balance related parameter, comprising information if the energy to charge the medical device inside the body is increasing or decreasing.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the energy balance related parameter is derived based on a rate of increase or increase of the received and accumulated energy to charge the medical device inside the body.

26. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of controlling the power switch to switch on and off to control the received and accumulated energy to charge the medical device inside the body.