Implantable medical power module
First Claim
1. A standalone implantable power module that can be used to power a variety of medical devices, comprising:
- a hermetically sealed biocompatible case;
an electrochemical energy storage device housed within said case;
a power management circuit housed within said case;
a couple for remotely communicating with said power module;
said couple electrically connected to said power management circuit;
and at least one connector for functionally interconnecting said electrochemical energy storage device to an implantable medical device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a medically implantable integrated biocompatible power module incorporating a power source (e.g., battery), a power management circuit (PMC), a magnetically inductive coupling system (MICS) for remote communication and/or inductive charging and a homing device for locating the implanted inductive charging coil. Three configurations are disclosed, each generally suitable for a specified range of energy capacities. The implantable power module (IPM) allows for improved design flexibility for medical devices since the power source may be located remotely and be recharged safely in situ. Special safety aspects may be incorporated, including endothermic phase change heat absorption material (HAM), emergency energy disconnect and emergency energy drain circuits. Communication (one or two way) may be carried out using the inductive charging link, a separate inductive pathway, or other pathway such as RF or via light waves. Homing devices and other means for precisely locating the IPM and/or MICS are disclosed.
133 Citations
79 Claims
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1. A standalone implantable power module that can be used to power a variety of medical devices, comprising:
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a hermetically sealed biocompatible case;
an electrochemical energy storage device housed within said case;
a power management circuit housed within said case;
a couple for remotely communicating with said power module;
said couple electrically connected to said power management circuit;
and at least one connector for functionally interconnecting said electrochemical energy storage device to an implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 71)
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72. A method for charging an implanted electrical storage device, comprising:
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providing a power module comprising an electrochemical storage device, a secondary inductive charging coil, a charger circuit, a protection circuit, and a magnetic material;
positioning said magnetic material coaxially with said charging coil to create the strongest magnetic field in the center of said charging coil;
implanting said power module into a patient;
providing a primary charging coil comprising a primary inductive coil, a Hall effect sensor located in the center of said primary inductive coil, and a feedback device responsively connected to said Hall effect sensor;
bringing said primary charging coil in proximity to said implanted power module;
moving said primary charging coil until said feedback device signals that said primary charging coil is aligned with said secondary charging coil; and
applying a fluctuating current to said primary charging coil to cause a fluctuating field, inducing a current in said secondary charging coil thereby charging said electrochemical storage device.
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73. A method for charging an implanted electrical storage device, comprising:
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providing a power module comprising an electrochemical storage device, a secondary inductive charging coil, a charger circuit, a protection circuit, and at least one transponder microchip;
positioning said at least one transponder microchip in proximity to said charging coil to locate the center of said secondary charging coil;
implanting said power module into a patient;
providing a primary charging coil comprising a primary inductive coil, an RF scanner/transceiver, and a feedback device responsively connected to said RF scanner/transceiver, bringing said primary charging coil in proximity to said implanted power module;
moving said primary charging coil until said feedback device signals that said primary charging coil is aligned with said secondary charging coil; and
applying a fluctuating current to said primary charging coil to cause a fluctuating field, inducing a current in said secondary charging coil thereby charging said electrochemical storage device. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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Specification