Device for Inductive Charging of Implanted Electronic Devices

• US 20090264966A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: e-vision Smart Optics, Inc. (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pixeloptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Haddock, Joshua N.
• Application Number:
  US12/465,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20090264966A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/04 Eye-masks ; Devices to be worn on the face, not intended for looking through; Eye-pads for sunbathing eye-bandages A61F13/12; protective face-masks A41D13/11; protectors for shampooing A45D
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/00 Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Devices suitable for charging implanted electronic devices are provided. A device suitable for charging one or more implanted electronic devices, specifically implanted ophthalmic devices, may include a wearable frame, one or more conductive coils, and a power source to provide a current to the conductive coil. When placed in proximity to an implanted device having a second conductive coil, the current in the conductive coil causes an induced current in the second conductive coil, which may be used to power the implanted electronic device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a wearable frame; and

a first conductive coil attached to a first region of the wearable frame, the conductive coil disposed adjacent to an eye of a wearer when the wearable frame is worn by the wearer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable frame comprises a mask.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second conductive coil attached to a second region of the wearable frame;

wherein the first region of the wearable frame is disposed adjacent to one eye of the wearer and the second region of the wearable frame is disposed adjacent to the other eye of the wearer when the frame is worn by the wearer.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the wearable frame comprises a mask.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first conductive coil configured to provide an induction charge to an electronic ophthalmic device implanted within the body of a wearer of the device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the first conductive coil.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable frame comprises one or more lens mounts.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the conductive coil is disposed within one of the one or more lens mounts.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the wearable frame comprises a lens disposed within one of the one or more lens mounts.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first conductive coil is disposed within the lens.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearer'"'"'s vision is substantially unobscured when the device is worn.

30. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearer'"'"'s vision is substantially unobscured when the device is worn.

13. A mask comprising a conductive coil that, when the mask is worn over the eyes of a wearer, is configured to induce an electrical current in a device implanted within the wearer to inductively charge a power source associated with said device.

14. The mask of claim 13, further comprising:

a second conductive coil that, when the mask is worn over the eyes of a wearer, is configured to induce an electrical current in a second device implanted within the wearer to inductively charge a power source associated with said second device.

15. The mask of claim 13, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the first conductive coil.

16. The mask of claim 15, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

17. A system comprising:

an implantable ophthalmic device configured to be implanted in a first region of a wearer, the implantable device comprising;

a rechargeable battery; and

a first conductive coil; and

a wearable device comprising;

a wearable frame; and

a second conductive coil attached to a first region of the wearable frame;

wherein, when the wearable device is worn by the wearer, the first region of the wearable frame is disposed adjacent to the first region of the wearer.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wearable frame comprises a mask.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a third conductive coil attached to a second region of the wearable frame.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a second implantable device configured to be implanted in a second region of the wearer;

wherein, when the wearable device is worn by the wearer, the second region of the wearable frame is disposed adjacent to the second region of the wearer.

21. The system of claim 17, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the first conductive coil.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the wearable frame comprises one or more lens mounts.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the conductive coil is disposed within one of the one or more lens mounts.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the wearable frame comprises a lens disposed within one of the one or more lens mounts.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first conductive coil is disposed within the lens.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the wearer'"'"'s vision is substantially unobscured when the device is worn.

28. A device comprising:

means for attaching the device to a wearer of the device;

means for inductively charging an electronic device implanted within the body of the wearer.

29. The device of claim 28, further comprising:

means for inductively charging a second electronic device implanted within the body of the wearer.