SOLAR CELL FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device being implanted in a body of a host, the implantable medical device comprising:
- a housing;
a control circuit configured to perform one or more functions, wherein the control circuit is enclosed within the housing;
a power source coupled to the control circuit and configured to provide power to the control circuit, wherein the power source is enclosed within the housing; and
a solar cell coupled to the power source, a surface of the solar cell being provided under a layer of skin of the host, wherein the solar cell is configured to receive energy from outside the host, convert the energy for use by the power source and to provide the converted energy to the power source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device includes a solar cell configured to provide energy to recharge a power source such as a battery. The power source is coupled to a control circuit of the medical device and provides power to the circuit. The solar cell may be coupled to the power source via a wire and may be distanced from a housing of the medical device. The solar cell may also be attached to the housing or may be disposed in the housing. The medical device may be implanted in the body of a host such that a surface of the solar cell is provided under a layer of skin of the host. The translucent property of skin allows the solar cell to receive light or infrared radiation from outside the body. The solar cell converts the received energy and provides the converted energy to the power source for recharging.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device being implanted in a body of a host, the implantable medical device comprising:
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a housing; a control circuit configured to perform one or more functions, wherein the control circuit is enclosed within the housing; a power source coupled to the control circuit and configured to provide power to the control circuit, wherein the power source is enclosed within the housing; and a solar cell coupled to the power source, a surface of the solar cell being provided under a layer of skin of the host, wherein the solar cell is configured to receive energy from outside the host, convert the energy for use by the power source and to provide the converted energy to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing energy to a power source of an implantable medical device using a solar cell, the implantable medical device being implanted in a body of a host, the method comprising:
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receiving energy at the solar cell, wherein a surface of the solar cell is provided under a layer of skin of the host, the energy being received from outside the host; converting the received energy for use with a power source; providing the converted energy to the power source; and recharging the power source. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for providing energy to a power source of an implantable medical device, the implantable medical device being implanted in a body of a host, the method comprising:
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means for receiving energy having a surface provided under a layer of skin of the host, wherein the energy is received from outside the host; means for converting the received energy for use with a power source; means for providing the converted energy to the power source; means for recharging the power source; and means for providing power from the power source to a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to perform one or more functions of the implantable medical device.
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18. A method for performing a medical procedure, the method comprising:
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implanting a medical device in a body of a host under a layer of skin of the host, wherein the medical device comprises; a housing; a control circuit configured to perform one or more functions, wherein the control circuit is enclosed within the housing; a power source coupled to the control circuit and configured to provide power to the control circuit, wherein the power source is enclosed within the housing; and a solar cell coupled to the power source, a surface of the solar cell being provided under the layer of skin of the host, wherein the solar cell is configured to receive energy from outside the host, convert the energy for use by the power source and to provide the converted energy to the power source.
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Specification