Transcutaneous charging device

• US 20080303480A1
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Impulse Dynamics NV
• Original Assignee: Impulse Dynamics NV
• Inventors: Spehr, Paul Richard, Prutchi, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,901,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment

Abstract

A transcutaneous charging device for charging an implant comprising:

• • a power input;
  • a conversion circuit to convert power from said power input to transcutaneously charge said implant;
  • a control; and
  • an indication element;
  • wherein said control is programmed to initiate an indication using said indication element when it is time to charge said implant.

Claims

1. A transcutaneous charging device for charging an implant comprising:

a power input;

a conversion circuit to convert power from said power input to transcutaneously charge said implant;

a control; and

an indication element;

wherein said control is programmed to initiate an indication using said indication element when it is time to charge said implant.

2. A device according to claim 1, comprising a wireless receiver and wherein said indication is stopped after deploying said charger and receiving a signal from said implant by said wireless receiver.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication is initiated periodically.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication is initiated on specific dates.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication, when activated, is continuous.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication, when activated, is intermittent.

7. A device according to claim 2, wherein said signal is supplied by said implant after it is recharged.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication element comprises a display.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication element comprises an audio transmitter.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said indication element comprises a mobile telephone transmitter.

11. A device according to claim 1, comprising a battery backup.

12. A transcutaneous charging device for charging an implant comprising:

a power input;

a conversion circuit that converts power supplied by said power input to transcutaneously charge said implant;

a control; and

a wireless receiver that is adapted to receive a signal from the implant;

wherein the control is adapted to suspend transfer of charge responsive to said signal.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said signal from said implant is transmitted if the temperature sensed in the implant exceeds a threshold temperature.

14. A device according to claim 12, wherein the threshold temperature is at least 39°

C.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein said control resumes transfer of charge responsive to lack of a signal from said implant.

16. A device according to claim 12, wherein said control resumes transfer of charge responsive to a second signal from said implant.

17. A device according to claim 12, comprising a liquid filled cooling pad shielding between said conversion circuit and a user.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said liquid in said cooling pad is cooled by an external cooler.

19. A device according to claim 12, wherein said signal from said implant is transmitted if the implant is fully charged.

20. A method of transcutaneously charging a battery of an implant in a person comprising:

deploying a charger;

transcutaneously charging the battery of the implant with the charger;

suspending and resuming the charging responsive to a signal from said implant.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said signal from said implant gives an indication of the temperature of the implant.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said signal from said implant gives an indication of the charge status of the battery of the implant.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein said signal from said implant is transmitted if the temperature sensed in the implant exceeds a threshold temperature.

24. A method according to claim 20, wherein the threshold temperature is at least 39°

C.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein said control resumes charging responsive to lack of a signal from said implant.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein said control resumes charging responsive to a second signal from said implant.

27. A method according to claim 20, wherein deploying the charger comprises placing a liquid filled cooling pad shielding between the charger and the person.

28. A method according to claim 27, comprising cooling said liquid in said cooling pad by an external cooler.

29. A method according to claim 20, wherein said signal from said implant is transmitted if the implant is fully charged.

30. A method according to claim 20, wherein said charging is at a rate greater than 25% of a maximum charging rate of the battery.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said charging is at a rate greater than 50% of the maximum charging rate of the battery.

32. A method according to claim 20, comprising supplying an indication to a user that it is time to charge the battery.