ENERGY TRANSFER AMPLIFICATION FOR INTRABODY DEVICES

• US 20100023092A1
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assaf Govari, Michael Levin
• Original Assignee: Assaf Govari, Michael Levin
• Inventors: Govari, Assaf, Levin, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,386,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3975 active
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3429 with an integral peripheral collar or flange, e.g. oriented away from the shell centre line
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3611 Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Apparatus for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject includes a power transmitter, which is adapted to generate, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit. A passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field is placed in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.

Claims

1. Apparatus for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a power transmitter, which is adapted to generate, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit; and

a passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field and adapted to be placed in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises a coil and a capacitance, which are coupled so as to define a resonant circuit having the resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier is adapted to be implanted in the body in proximity to the medical device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the medical device comprises a sensor for use in association with an orthopedic implant, and wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier is incorporated in the orthopedic implant.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier is adapted to be fixed externally to the body in proximity to the medical device.

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33. A method for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject, the method comprising:

generating, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit; and

placing a passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field, in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises a coil and a capacitance, which are coupled so as to define a resonant circuit having the resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein placing the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises implanting the passive energy transfer amplifier in the body in proximity to the medical device.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the medical device comprises a sensor for use in association with an orthopedic implant, and wherein implanting the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises incorporating the passive energy transfer amplifier in the orthopedic implant.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor, and comprising receiving a position signal from the sensor, and assessing an alignment of the implant responsively to the position signal.

38. The method according to claim 33, wherein placing the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises fixing the passive energy transfer amplifier externally to the body in proximity to the medical device.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the medical device comprises a sensor, which is fixed to an invasive probe for insertion into a heart of the subject, and wherein fixing the passive energy transfer amplifier comprises fixing the passive energy transfer amplifier to a chest of the subject.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor, and comprising receiving a position signal from the sensor, and determining a location of the probe within the heart responsively to the position signal.

41. The method according to claim 33, wherein the medical device comprises a sensor, which is adapted to sense a parameter within the body, and comprising receiving a signal transmitted by the sensor that is indicative of the parameter.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor, and wherein the transmitted signal is indicative of position coordinates of the medical device within the body.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein receiving the signal comprises generating energy fields in a vicinity of the medical device, which cause currents to flow in the position sensor responsively to the position coordinates of the medical device, and wherein the signal is transmitted by the sensor responsively to the currents.

44. The method according to claim 41, wherein the parameter that is sensed by the sensor comprises a physiological parameter.

45. The method according to claim 33, wherein the medical device is adapted to apply at least a portion of the operating energy to tissue in the body.