EXTERNAL CONTROLLER FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM WITH COUPLEABLE EXTERNAL CHARGING COIL ASSEMBLY

• US 20090118796A1
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Stouffer, Thomas Warren, Aghassian, Daniel, Chen, Joey
• Granted Patent: US 8,498,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An improved integrated external controller/charger system useable with an implantable medical device is disclosed. The system comprises two main components: an external controller and an external charging coil assembly that is coupleable thereto. When the external charging coil assembly is coupled to the external controller, the system can be used to both send and receive data telemetry to and from the implantable medical device, and to send power to the device. Specifically, the external controller controls data telemetry by energizing at least one coil within the external controller, and the external controller controls power transmission by energizing a charging coil in the external charging coil assembly, which is otherwise devoid of its own control, power, and user interface. The result is a cheaper, simpler, more compact, and more convenient data telemetry and charging solution for the patient having a medical implant.

Claims

1. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

an external controller for communicating data with the implantable medical device; and

an external charging coil assembly containing a charging coil for providing power to the implantable medical device, wherein the assembly is attachable to and detachable from the external controller at a port on the external controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the external charging coil assembly is flexible.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the external charging coil assembly does not contain a user interface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the external controller contains circuitry for energizing the charging coil.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a USB port.

6. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

an external controller, wherein the external controller contains at least one telemetry antenna for communicating data with the implantable medical device; and

an external charging coil assembly containing a charging coil for providing power to the implantable medical device, wherein the assembly is attachable to and detachable from the external controller,

wherein the external controller controls the charging coil.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the external charging coil assembly is flexible.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the external controller comprises a color display.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the antenna comprises two telemetry coils each wound around axes that are orthogonal.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein external charging coil assembly further comprises at least one temperature sensor for reporting at least one temperature to the external controller.

11. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

an external controller comprising a user interface, a battery, and at least one telemetry antenna for communicating data with the implantable medical device; and

an external charging coil assembly containing a charging coil for providing power to the implantable medical device, wherein the assembly coupleable to and controllable by the external controller,

wherein the external charging coil assembly does not contain a user interface or a battery.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the external controller controls the charging coil.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the external charging coil assembly comprises at least one temperature sensor.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a display, and wherein the display comprises a color super twisted nematic (CSTN) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD, or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein battery comprises a rechargeable battery.

16. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

an external controller for communicating data with the implantable medical device, wherein the external controller comprises a single port for interfacing with a data source, a power source, and an external charging coil assembly; and

an external charging coil assembly containing a charging coil for providing power to the implantable medical device, wherein the assembly is coupleable to the external controller at the port.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the port communicates at least one temperature from at least one temperature sensor in the external charging coil assembly to the external controller.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the port comprise a USB port.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the power source recharges a battery in the external controller.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the data source and power source comprise a computer.

21. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

an external controller comprising a user interface, a battery, and at least one telemetry antenna for communicating data with the implantable medical device, wherein the external controller comprises a single USB port for interfacing with an external charging coil assembly; and

an external charging coil assembly containing a charging coil for providing power to the implantable medical device, wherein the assembly is attachable to and detachable from the external controller at the USB port.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the external controller controls the charging coil.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the external charging coil assembly does not contain a user interface or a power source.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface comprises a display, and wherein the display comprises a color super twisted nematic (CSTN) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD, or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein battery comprises a Lithium-ion or a Lithium-ion polymer battery.