Method of Energy Transfer to an Implantable Medical Device While Coupling Energy to Charging Unit

• US 20070167997A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Forsberg, John, Phillips, William, Olson, David, Schmeling, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/687,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3655 controlled by body or blood temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 in response to temperature

Abstract

External power source, charger, system and method for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A primary charging coil is capable of transcutaneously inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. Drive circuitry is operatively coupled to the primary charging coil for exciting the primary charging coil. A rechargeable power source is operatively coupled to the drive circuitry. A secondary recharging coil is operatively coupled to the rechargeable power source. A primary recharging coil is adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power which when placed in proximity of the secondary recharging coil can inductively energize the secondary recharging coil in order to charge the rechargeable power source.

Claims

1. A method of transcutaneous energy transfer to an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry implanted in a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a charging unit with respect to said implantable medical device;

(b) positioning a source of AC power with respect to said charging unit;

(c) inductively coupling energy from said charging unit to said implantable medical device; and

(d) coupling energy from said source of AC power to said charging unit while inductively coupling energy from said charging unit to said implantable medical device.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said implantable medical device has a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry, wherein said charging unit has a primary coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil and wherein step (a) comprises positioning said primary coil with respect to said secondary coil.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein said charging unit has a secondary recharging coil, wherein said source of AC power has a primary recharging coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary recharging coil and wherein step (b) comprises positioning said primary recharging coil with respect to said secondary recharging coil.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein step (d) further comprises coupling energy via an inductive coupling.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein said implantable medical device has a first rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said secondary coil and wherein step (c) further comprises charging said first rechargeable power source.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said first rechargeable power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

7. A method as in claim 5 wherein said charging unit has a second rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said secondary recharging coil and wherein step (d) further comprises charging said second rechargeable power source.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein said second rechargeable power source comprises a rechargeable battery.