Transcutaneous power supply with optimal positioning for use with active implantable devices

• US 20070279020A1
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medico, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medico, Inc.
• Inventors: Mozzi, Aldo, Snichelotto, Eugenio
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/265
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The transcutaneous power supply and/or recharger device of the present invention enables a precise centering of the device with a receiver coil in an implant. In one embodiment, the power supply device includes a plurality of satellite sensors or coils disposed around the transmitter coil. A voltage value detected in the receiver coil is transmitted to the power supply or recharger device via a telemetric channel and indicates the amount of power being transferred, and, therefore, the accuracy of the reciprocal positioning of the power supply terminal with the receiver coil.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A transcutaneous power supply for an implant comprising:

a transmitter coil disposed in a holder;

one or more sensors for receiving a signal transmitted by the transmitter coil; and

a control circuit connected to the one or more sensors,

wherein the signal transmitted by the transmitter coil is modified by the changing position in relation to the transmitter coil of a receiver coil disposed in the implant, and

wherein the control circuit measures the signal and compares the signal to a baseline value.

16. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the transcutaenous power supply is a recharger for the implant.

17. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are one or more electric coils.

18. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 17, wherein the one or more electric coils each have a ferro-magnetic core.

19. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the signal is a magnetic field.

20. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are disposed peripherally in relation to the transmitter coil.

21. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein one sensor is disposed centrally in relation to the transmitter coil.

22. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are disposed at the same distance one from the other.

23. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 22, wherein the one or more sensors are disposed at the same distance from the center of the transmitter coil.

24. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the transmitter coil and the one or more sensors are coplanar.

25. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is connected to one or more indicators providing an operator with an indication of the signal, thereby enabling the operator to detect alignment or changes in the alignment of the transmitter coil in relation to the receiver coil.

26. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 25, wherein the alignment is determined by processing the signal with a microprocessor.

27. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 25, wherein the one or more indicators are a single indicator comprising a display that provides a visual indication of the position of the transmitter coil in relation to the receiver coil, or a visual indication of the direction of movement required to align the transmitter coil with the receiver coil.

28. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 25, wherein each indicator is coupled to one sensor, and wherein each indicator provides a visual indication of the alignment of the transmitter coil with the receiver coil.

29. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 28, wherein the visual indication is provided by a luminous indicator or a visual display.

30. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the implant is structured to continuously monitor voltage at terminals of the receiver coil, and wherein the monitored voltage is translated into a value transmitted telemetrically to the power supply, thereby providing an indication of the alignment of the power supply with the receiver coil and of the amount of transferred power.

31. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 15, wherein the power supply is configured for manual or automatic alignment with the receiver coil.