AUXILIARY DEVICE FOR IMPLANTABLE UNITS

• US 20100164688A1
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: CHAKRABORTY, Sudipto
• Application Number:
  US12/347,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20100164688A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0031 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0037 for power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/02 using transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices

Abstract

In at least some embodiments, an auxiliary device compatible with a biomedical implantable comprises a first transceiver and a controller coupled to the first transceiver. If the first transceiver receives a wireless data signal from an implantable unit, the controller generates a corresponding data signal for transmission to a wireless network. The corresponding data signal has at least one of a higher power level and a higher frequency band compared to the wireless data signal.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device compatible with a biomedical implantable unit, comprising:

a first transceiver;

a controller coupled to the first transceiver,

wherein, if the first transceiver receives a wireless data signal from an implantable unit, the controller generates a corresponding data signal for transmission to a wireless network,

wherein the corresponding data signal has at least one of a higher power level and a higher frequency band compared to the wireless data signal.

2. The auxiliary device of claim 1 further comprising a second transceiver, the second transceiver transmits the corresponding data signal to the wireless network.

3. The auxiliary device of claim 1 wherein the controller selectively generates a power signal and a data signal to be transmitted to the implantable unit.

4. The auxiliary device of claim 3 wherein the power signal and the data signal are transmitted to the implantable device over a single frequency band using time division multiplexing.

5. The auxiliary device of claim 3 wherein the power signal and the data signal are transmitted to the implantable device over different frequency bands using frequency division multiplexing.

6. The auxiliary device of claim 1 wherein the first transceiver is configured to transmit and receive wireless data signals at a carrier frequency of approximately 400 MHz.

7. The auxiliary device of claim 1 wherein a range of the wireless data signal is less than 2 meters.

8. The auxiliary device of claim 1 further comprising a housing for the transceiver and the controller, wherein the housing has at least one surface adapted for attachment to skin.

9. A system, comprising:

an implantable unit;

an auxiliary device in communication with the implantable unit; and

a wireless network in communication with the auxiliary device,

wherein the implantable unit transmits wireless signals to the auxiliary device, the wireless signals having a first range, and

wherein the auxiliary device transmits corresponding wireless signals to the wireless network, the corresponding wireless signals having a second range that is greater than the first range.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the implantable unit comprises a frequency separator coupled to an antenna, wherein the frequency separator directs wireless signals received at a first carrier frequency to a power path and directs wireless signals received at a second carrier frequency to a data path.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 900 MHz and the second carrier frequency is approximately 400 MHz.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the implantable unit comprises a time separator coupled to an antenna, wherein the time separator selectively divides wireless signals received at a predetermined carrier frequency into a first part for a data path and into a second part for a power path.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the predetermined carrier frequency is approximately 400 MHz.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the auxiliary device comprises a controller and a transceiver coupled to the controller, wherein the controller provides at least one power operation to assist the implantable unit.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the power operation comprises selectively generating a wireless power signal compatible with the implantable unit.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the auxiliary device comprises a controller and a transceiver coupled to the controller, wherein the controller provides at least one data operation to assist the implantable unit.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the data operation comprises converting wireless signals received from the implantable unit into corresponding wireless signals compatible with the wireless network.

18. A method for an implantable unit and an auxiliary device, comprising:

receiving, by the auxiliary device, a wireless data signal from the implantable unit;

generating, by the auxiliary device, a corresponding data signal for transmission to a wireless network,

wherein the corresponding data signal has at least one of a higher power level and a higher frequency band compared to the wireless data signal.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising,

selectively transmitting, by the auxiliary device, a power signal and a data signal to the implantable unit;

distributing, by the implantable unit, the power signal to a power path and the data signal to a data path of the implantable unit,

wherein said distributing is based on time-division multiplexing.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising,

selectively transmitting, by the auxiliary device, a power signal and a data signal to the implantable unit;

distributing, by the implantable unit, the power signal to a power path and the data signal to a data path of the implantable unit,

wherein said distributing is based on frequency-division multiplexing.