METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECHARGING IMPLANTABLE DEVICES

• US 20100106028A1
• Filed: 10/26/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Liao, Wangcai, Tran, Binh C., Huelskamp, Paul J., Stahmann, Jeffrey E., Maile, Keith R., Mi, Bin, Penner, Avi, Doron, Eyal
• Granted Patent: US 8,593,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative method of recharging an implanted medical device includes delivering a charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device, activating a charging element coupled to the charging device and transmitting charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device, and charging the implanted medical device using the transmitted charging energy from the charging device.

Claims

1. A method of recharging a medical device implanted within a body lumen of a body, the medical device including a rechargeable power source and a receiver, the method comprising:

delivering a charging device to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device, the charging device including a charging element operatively coupled to a power source;

activating the charging element and transmitting energy to the implanted medical device; and

charging the power source within the implanted medical device using the transmitted energy from the charging element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging element is coupled to a distal section of the charging device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging element is coupled to a proximal section of the charging device, and wherein transmitting energy to the implanted medical device includes transmitting energy through an interior lumen of the charging device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging element is an acoustic transducer, and wherein transmitting energy to the implanted medical device includes transmitting acoustic energy to an acoustic transducer coupled to the implanted medical device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging element is an electromagnetic transmitter, and wherein transmitting energy to the implanted medical device includes transmitting electromagnetic energy to an antenna or coil coupled to the implanted medical device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device includes a means for cooling the charging element.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the cooling means includes at least one cooling lumen within the charging device in fluid communication with a cooling medium.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device is a therapy delivery device, and further including providing therapy to the body.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device includes a focusing or collimating element adapted to focus the energy transmitted to the implanted medical device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device includes inserting the charging device into the same body lumen as the implanted medical device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device includes inserting the charging device into another body lumen adjacent to the body lumen containing the implanted medical device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device includes inserting the charging device into the esophagus adjacent to the body lumen containing the implanted device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device further includes a pressure sensor, and further including calibrating the implanted device using the pressure sensor.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device further includes a temperature sensor, and further including calibrating the charging device using the temperature sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple wire embedded in a distal section of the charging device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging device includes a means for sensing electrical leakage from the charging element.

17. A method of recharging a medical device implanted within a body lumen of a body, the medical device including a rechargeable power source and a receiver, the method comprising:

delivering a charging device to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device, the charging device including an acoustic transducer operatively coupled to a power source and at least one sensor;

activating the acoustic transducer and transmitting an acoustic signal to the implanted medical device;

sensing at least one parameter associated with the transmitted acoustic signal;

adjusting at least one operating parameter of the acoustic transducer based at least in part on the at least one sensed parameter; and

charging the power source within the implanted medical device.

18. A recharging system, comprising:

a pressure sensor implanted within a body lumen of a patient'"'"'s body, the pressure sensor including a rechargeable power source and a receiver;

a charging device insertable within the body, the charging device including an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section, and an acoustic charging element adapted to transmit charging energy to the receiver from an intrabody location adjacent to the pressure sensor.

19. The recharging system of claim 18, wherein the charging element is coupled to the distal section of the charging device.

20. The recharging system of claim 18, wherein the charging element is coupled to the proximal section of the charging device and is adapted to transmit energy through an interior lumen of the charging device.

21. The recharging system of claim 18, wherein the charging device includes at least one cooling lumen in fluid communication with a cooling medium.

22. The recharging system of claim 18, wherein the charging device is a therapy delivery device.

23. The recharging system of claim 18, further comprising a means for calibrating the charging device.

24. The recharging system of claim 23, wherein said means for calibrating the charging device includes a pressure sensor.

25. The recharging system of claim 23, wherein said means for calibrating the charging device includes a temperature sensor.