Headset recharger for cranially implantable medical devices

• US 20050004619A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Phillips, William C., Skime, Robert M., Wahlstrand, Carl D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,317,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The invention is directed to a recharging system and associated techniques to recharge an implantable medical device (IMD). In particular, a recharging system according to the invention comprises a headset having an energy delivery module that delivers energy to a power source of an IMD implanted on or within the cranium of a patient. The energy delivery module may comprise a coil for inductive transfer of energy to the power source. The headset may be configured for placement over the head of the patient, and may further only partially cover the top of the head. The energy delivery module may be adjustably coupled to the headset. In some embodiments, the position of the energy delivery module may be adjusted along three or four axes, including a rotational axis, allowing the coil to be placed over an IMD located at any of a variety of locations on or within the cranium.

Claims

1. A recharging system comprising:

a headset configured for placement over a head of a patient that partially covers a top of the head; and

an energy delivery module coupled to the headset that delivers energy to a power source of a medical device that is implanted at least one of on or within a cranium of the patient.

2. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device.

3. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a coupling member that couples the energy delivery module to the headset.

4. The recharging system of claim 3, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

5. The recharging system of claim 3, wherein the coupling member is moldable.

6. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a recharge control unit that controls delivery of energy to the power source of the medical device.

7. The recharging system of claim 6,

wherein the power source of the medical device is a first power source, and

wherein the recharge control unit comprises a second power source, and controls delivery of energy from the second power source to the first power source.

8. The recharging system of claim 6, further comprising a telemetry antenna, wherein the recharge control unit further comprises a telemetry circuit electrically coupled to the telemetry antenna, and the recharge control unit communicates with the medical device via the telemetry circuit and the telemetry antenna.

9. The recharging system of claim 8, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device, and the telemetry antenna comprises the coil.

10. The recharging system of claim 8, further comprising a coupling member that couples the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna to the headset, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

11. The recharging system of claim 10, further comprising a housing member that is coupled to the coupling member and houses the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna.

12. The recharging system of claim 11, wherein the housing member is adjustably coupled to the coupling member.

13. The recharging system of claim 11, wherein the housing member is moldable.

14. The recharging system of claim 8, further comprising:

a first coupling member that couples the energy delivery module to the headset; and

a second coupling member that couples the telemetry module to the headset, wherein the first and second coupling members are adjustably coupled to the headset.

15. The recharging system of claim 8, wherein the recharge control unit receives recharge status information from the medical device via the telemetry antenna and the telemetry circuit.

16. The recharging system of claim 6, wherein the recharge control unit includes a user interface, and presents information to the patient via the user interface.

17. The recharging system of claim 16, wherein the recharge control unit presents alignment information to the patient via the user interface.

18. The recharging system of claim 16, wherein the recharge control unit presents recharge status information to the patient via the user interface.

19. The recharging system of claim 16, wherein the user interface comprises a display, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the display.

20. The recharging system of claim 16, wherein the headset comprises at least one earpiece that includes a speaker, the user interface comprises the speaker, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the speaker.

21. The recharging system of claim 6, wherein the recharge unit comprises user interface, and at least one of initiates delivery of energy and terminates delivery of energy based on a command received from the patient via the user interface.

22. The recharging system of claim 6, wherein the recharge control unit is housed separately from the headset and is electrically coupled to at least one of the headset and the energy delivery module by a conductor.

23. The recharging system of claim 22, wherein the recharge control unit is configured to be worn by the patient.

24. The recharging system of claim 6, wherein the recharge control unit is integrated with the headset.

25. The recharging system of claim 24, wherein the headset comprises a headset bar and at least one earpiece, and the recharge control unit is housed by at least one of the headset bar or the at least one earpiece.

26. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing member that extends from the headset to stabilize a position of headset relative to the head.

27. The recharging system of claim 26, wherein the stabilizing member substantially conforms to a curvature of the head of the patient.

28. The recharging system of claim 26, wherein the stabilizing member is moldable.

29. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the power source of the medical device comprises a rechargeable battery.

30. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the medical device is coupled to a lead that is implanted at least one of within or adjacent to a brain of the patient, and the medical device at least one of delivers stimulation to the brain or monitors electrical activity within the brain via the lead.

31. A recharging system comprising:

a headset that is configured for placement over a head of a patient; and

an energy delivery module that is adjustably coupled to the headset, and that delivers energy to a power source of a medical device that is implanted at least one of on or within a cranium of the patient.

32. The recharging system of claim 31, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device.

33. The recharging system of claim 31, further comprising a coupling member to couple the energy delivery module to the headset, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

34. The recharging system of claim 33, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset such that a position of the energy delivery module is adjustable along at least two axes of motion.

35. The recharging system of claim 33, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset such that a position of the energy delivery module is adjustable along at least three axes of motion, and one of the axes of motion comprises a rotational axis.

36. The recharging system of claim 33, wherein the coupling member is moldable.

37. The recharging system of claim 33, further comprising a fixation mechanism that couples the coupling member to the headset, wherein the fixation mechanism is manipulatable between a first state in which a position of the energy delivery module is adjustable and a second state in which the position of the energy delivery module is substantially fixed.

38. The recharging system of claim 31, wherein the headset partially covers a top of the head.

39. The recharging system of claim 31, further comprising a recharge control unit that controls delivery of energy to the power source of the medical device.

40. The recharging system of claim 39,

wherein the power source of the medical device is a first power source, and

wherein the recharge control unit comprises a second power source, and controls delivery of energy from the second power source to the first power source.

41. The recharging system of claim 39, further comprising a telemetry antenna, wherein the recharge control unit further comprises a telemetry circuit electrically coupled to the telemetry antenna, and the recharge control unit communicates with the medical device via the telemetry circuit and the telemetry antenna.

42. The recharging system of claim 41, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device, and the telemetry antenna comprises the coil.

43. The recharging system of claim 41, further comprising a coupling member that couples the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna to the headset, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

44. The recharging system of claim 43, further comprising a housing member that is coupled to the coupling member and houses the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna.

45. The recharging system of claim 44, wherein the housing member is adjustably coupled to the coupling member.

46. The recharging system of claim 44, wherein the housing member is moldable.

47. The recharging system of claim 41, further comprising:

a first coupling member that couples the energy delivery module to the headset; and

a second coupling member that couples the telemetry module to the headset, wherein the first and second coupling members are adjustably coupled to the headset.

48. The recharging system of claim 41, wherein the recharge control unit receives recharge status information from the medical device via the telemetry antenna and the telemetry circuit.

49. The recharging system of claim 39, wherein the recharge control unit includes a user interface, and presents information to the patient via the user interface.

50. The recharging system of claim 49, wherein the recharge control unit presents alignment information to the patient via the user interface.

51. The recharging system of claim 49, wherein the recharge control unit presents recharge status information to the patient via the user interface.

52. The recharging system of claim 49, wherein the user interface comprises a display, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the display.

53. The recharging system of claim 49, wherein the headset comprises at least one earpiece that includes a speaker, the user interface comprises the speaker, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the speaker.

54. The recharging system of claim 39, wherein the recharge unit comprises user interface, and at least one of initiates delivery of energy and terminates delivery of energy based on a command received from the patient via the user interface.

55. The recharging system of claim 39, wherein the recharge control unit is housed separately from the headset and is electrically coupled to at least one of the headset and the energy delivery module by a conductor.

56. The recharging system of claim 55, wherein the recharge control unit is configured to be worn by the patient.

57. The recharging system of claim 39, wherein the recharge control unit is integrated with the headset.

58. The recharging system of claim 57, wherein the headset comprises at least one earpiece, and the recharge control unit is housed by the at least one earpiece.

59. The recharging system of claim 31, further comprising a stabilizing member that extends from the headset to stabilize a position of headset relative to the head.

60. The recharging system of claim 59, wherein the stabilizing member substantially conforms to a curvature of the head of the patient.

61. The recharging system of claim 59, wherein the stabilizing member is moldable.

62. The recharging system of claim 31, wherein the power source of the medical device comprises a rechargeable battery.

63. The recharging system of claim 31, wherein the medical device is coupled to a lead that is implanted at least one of within or adjacent to a brain of the patient, and the medical device at least one of delivers stimulation to the brain or monitors electrical activity within the brain via the lead.

64. A method comprising:

placing a headset on a head of a patient;

adjusting a position of an energy delivery module that is coupled to the headset to locate the energy delivery module proximate to a medical device implanted at least one of on or within a cranium of the patient; and

adjusting a fixation mechanism to substantially fix the energy delivery module in a position proximate the medical device.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to a power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device, and adjusting a position of the energy delivery module comprises adjusting a position of the primary coil to locate the primary coil proximate to the secondary coil.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising adjusting a size of the headset based on a size of the head.

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the fixation mechanism is a first fixation mechanism, the method further comprising:

adjusting a position of a telemetry antenna that is coupled to the headset to locate the telemetry antenna proximate to the medical device; and

adjusting a second fixation mechanism to substantially fix the telemetry antenna in a position proximate the medical device.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the first and second fixation mechanisms comprise a single fixation mechanism.

69. The method of claim 64, wherein the fixation mechanism is a first fixation mechanism, the method further comprising:

adjusting a position of a stabilizing member that is to the headset; and

adjusting a second fixation mechanism to substantially fix the position of the stabilizing member.

70. The method of claim 64, further comprising molding at least one of a coupling member, a stabilizing member, or a housing member that is coupled to the headset to the head of the patient.

71. The method of claim 64, further comprising receiving an indication of alignment of the energy delivery module and the medical device via a recharge control unit.

72. A method comprising delivering energy to a power source of a medical device implanted at least one of on and within a cranium of a patient via an energy delivery module coupled to a headset that is proximate to the medical device when the headset is placed on a head of the patient.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device, and the primary coil proximate to the secondary coil when the headset is placed on the head of the patient.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein delivering energy further comprises:

receiving input from the patient via a user interface to initiate the delivery of energy; and

delivering the energy in response to receiving the input.

75. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

receiving input from the patient via a user interface to terminate the delivery of energy; and

ending the energy in response to receiving the input.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein delivering the energy comprises:

determining whether the power source of the medical device is recharged; and

terminating the delivery of energy based on the determination.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein determining whether the power source is recharged comprises receiving information relating to a state of the power source from the medical device via telemetry.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising issuing a signal to the patient to indicate the termination of the delivery of energy.

79. The method of claim 72, wherein the power source of the medical device comprises a rechargeable battery.

80. A system comprising:

a medical device that includes a power source, that is implanted at least one of on or within a cranium of a patient, that is coupled to a lead that is implanted at least one of within or adjacent to a brain of the patient, and that at least one of delivers stimulation to the brain or monitors electrical activity within the brain via the lead; and

a recharging system that includes a headset that is configured for placement over a head of the patient, and an energy delivery module that is adjustably coupled to the headset and delivers energy to the power source of the medical device.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the lead is a deep brain lead.

82. The system of claim 80, wherein the lead is a cortical lead.

83. The system of claim 80, wherein the medical device comprise a secondary coil, and the energy delivery module of the recharging system comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer with the secondary coil of the medical device.

84. The system of claim 80, wherein the power source of the medical device comprises a rechargeable battery.

85. The system of claim 80, wherein the recharging system further comprises a coupling member to couple the energy delivery module to the headset, and the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

86. A system comprising:

a medical device that includes a rechargeable battery; and

a recharging system that includes a headset that is configured for placement over a head of the patient, and an energy delivery module that is adjustably coupled to the headset and delivers energy to the power source of the medical device.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein the medical device comprise a secondary coil, and the energy delivery module of the recharging system comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the rechargeable battery of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer with the secondary coil of the medical device.

88. The system of claim 86, wherein the recharging system further comprises a coupling member to couple the energy delivery module to the headset, and the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.