Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices
First Claim
1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
- an external controller for contacting an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a first acoustic transducer for transmitting a first acoustic signal into the patient'"'"'s body, and an energy source for powering the first acoustic transducer; and
an implant for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch, the second acoustic transducer configured for receiving the first acoustic signal from the first acoustic transducer, the switch being closed in response to the first acoustic signal to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient'"'"'s body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient'"'"'s skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient'"'"'s body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes a battery for providing electrical energy to operate the device, a processor for extracting data from acoustic signals received from the implant, and memory for storing the data. The device may include an interface for communicating with a recorder or computer, e.g., to transfer data from the implant and/or to receive instructions for controlling the implant. The device is secured to the patient'"'"'s skin for controlling, monitoring, or otherwise communicating with the implant, while allowing the patient to remain mobile.
210 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
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an external controller for contacting an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a first acoustic transducer for transmitting a first acoustic signal into the patient'"'"'s body, and an energy source for powering the first acoustic transducer; and
an implant for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch, the second acoustic transducer configured for receiving the first acoustic signal from the first acoustic transducer, the switch being closed in response to the first acoustic signal to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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15. An apparatus for communicating with an implant located within a patient'"'"'s body, the implant including one or more acoustic transducers configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, comprising:
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one or more acoustic transducers for converting between electrical energy and acoustic energy;
a controller coupled to the one or more acoustic transducers such that the one or more acoustic transducers are configured for at least one of transmitting acoustic signals to and receiving acoustic signals from within the patient'"'"'s body to communicate with the implant;
an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to at least one of the controller and the one or more acoustic transducers; and
means for securing the one or more acoustic transducers to an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body.
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27. A method for communicating with an implant located within a patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an acoustic transducer configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, the method comprising:
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securing a portable communications device in contact with an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the communications device comprising one or more acoustic transducers, and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to operate the communications device; and
communicating with the implant using the one or more acoustic transducers.
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Specification