ELECTRICAL IMPLANTS

• US 20060085051A1
• Filed: 10/19/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael H. Fritsch
• Original Assignee: Michael H. Fritsch
• Inventors: Fritsch, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US10/904,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20060085051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An external module is mounted to a person and transmits energy in the light spectrum through the skin to an internal module which converts it to d.c. current with a film photocell. The d.c. current can be used to charge batteries for powering an implant without a break in the skin and to power an implant directly. Light signals can also be transmitted through the skin from an internal module to the external module to monitor implants, battery charging equipment, batteries and patient functions. Control signals can be transmitted from the external module to the internal module. The energy may be in the wavelength range of 1×10⁻⁴ to 1×10⁻⁹ meters and preferably in the wavelength range of 4×10⁻⁷ to 8×10⁻⁷ meters.

Claims

1. A method of supplying energy to an implant comprising the steps of:

transmitting electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the range of 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup> to 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> meters through skin of a patient to a photocell whereby light is converted to current within the patient without a break in the skin of the patient;

applying the current to a rechargeable battery; and

applying energy from the battery to an implant.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the electromagnetic energy is in a wavelength range of 4×

10<sup>−

7</sup> to 8×

10<sup>−

7</sup>.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of transmitting signals through the skin from inside the patient to an external apparatus without a break in the skin.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further including the step of using the signals transmitted through the skin to control the intensity of light transmitted from the external apparatus through the skin to an internal transducer.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 further including the step of using the signals transmitted through the skin to indicate the battery condition of storage batteries in an internal transducer.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the steps of:

modulating the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the skin of the patient; and

using the modulated energy to transmit signals to an internal transducer.

7. A method in accordance with claim 3 further including the step of using the signals transmitted through the skin to indicate the patient'"'"'s condition.

8. A method of supplying energy to an implant comprising the steps of:

transmitting electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the range of 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup> to 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> meters through skin of a patient to a photocell whereby light is converted to current within the patient without a break in the skin of the patient;

applying the current to the implant.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 in which the current supplies power to the implant used in the operation of the implant.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 further including the steps of:

modulating the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the skin of the patient; and

using the modulated energy to control the operation of the implant.

11. Apparatus for supplying energy to an implant comprising:

a source of electromagnetic energy;

means for transmitting at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the range of 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup> to 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> meters through skin of a patient to a photocell whereby light is converted to current within the patient without a break in the skin of the patient;

first conductor means connected between the photocell and a rechargeable battery whereby current is conducted to the rechargeable battery from the photocell; and

second conductor means connected between the rechargeable battery and the implant whereby current is conducted from the rechargeable battery to the implant.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the electromagnetic energy is in a wavelength range of 4×

10<sup>−

7</sup> to 8×

10<sup>−

7</sup>.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further comprising means for transmitting signals through the skin from inside the patient to an external apparatus without a break in the skin.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 further comprising means for using the signals transmitted through the skin to control the intensity of light transmitted from the external apparatus through the skin to an internal transducer.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 further comprising means for using the signals transmitted through the skin to indicate the battery condition of storage batteries in an internal transducer.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further comprising:

means for modulating the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the skin of the patient; and

means for using the modulated energy to transmit signals to an internal transducer.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 further including the step of using the signals transmitted through the skin to indicate the patient'"'"'s condition.

18. Apparatus for supplying energy to an implant comprising:

a source of electromagnetic energy;

means for transmitting at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the range of 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup> to 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> meters through skin of a patient to a photocell whereby light is converted to current within the patient without a break in the skin of the patient;

a conductor connecting the photocell to the implant whereby the current is applied to the implant.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 in which the electromagnetic energy is in a wavelength range of 4×

10<sup>−

7</sup> to 8×

10<sup>−

7</sup>.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 further comprising means for transmitting signals through the skin from inside the patient to an external apparatus without a break in the skin.

21. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 further comprising means for using the signals transmitted through the skin to an external apparatus to control the intensity of light transmitted from the external apparatus through the skin to an internal transducer.

22. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 further comprising means for using the signals transmitted through the skin to an external apparatus to indicate the battery condition of storage batteries in an internal transducer.

23. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 further comprising:

means for modulating the electromagnetic energy transmitted through the skin of the patient; and

means for using the modulated electromagnetic energy to transmit signals to an internal transducer.

24. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 further including the step of using the signals transmitted through the skin to indicate the patient'"'"'s condition.