IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE HOUSING MODIFIED FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING
First Claim
1. An implantable sensor for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within a body lumen, comprising:
- a housing including an exterior housing wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the exterior housing wall defining an internal cavity and including an electrically conductive material forming a first electrical conductor;
a flexible piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall;
a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer;
a sensor module disposed within the interior cavity of the housing, the sensor module configured to sense one or more physiologic parameters within the body lumen; and
power circuitry configured to convert a voltage differential between the first and second conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components of the implantable sensor;
wherein the piezoelectric layer is configured to displace in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable sensor for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within a body lumen includes a housing having an exterior wall that has an inner surface and an outer surface and that defines an internal cavity. A portion of the housing includes an electrically conductive material that functions as a first electrical conductor. A flexible piezoelectric layer is disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall and a second electrical conductor is disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable sensor for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within a body lumen, comprising:
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a housing including an exterior housing wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the exterior housing wall defining an internal cavity and including an electrically conductive material forming a first electrical conductor; a flexible piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall; a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer; a sensor module disposed within the interior cavity of the housing, the sensor module configured to sense one or more physiologic parameters within the body lumen; and power circuitry configured to convert a voltage differential between the first and second conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components of the implantable sensor; wherein the piezoelectric layer is configured to displace in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An implantable power generator for generating power within a body lumen, comprising:
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a housing including an exterior wall defining an interior cavity; a flexible diaphragm forming a portion of the exterior wall; and a piezoelectric assembly comprising a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, the piezoelectric assembly disposed adjacent to the housing and configured to generate electrical energy in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen; wherein the implantable power generator is mechanically and electrically coupled to an implantable medical device and adapted to provide an operating current to the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of generating electrical power within a patient, the method comprising:
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inserting an implantable sensor within the body of a patient for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within the body, the sensor comprising; a housing including an exterior housing wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the exterior housing wall defining an interior cavity and including an electrically conductive material forming a first electrical conductor; a flexible piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall; a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer; a sensor module disposed within the interior cavity of the housing, the sensor module configured to sense one or more physiologic parameters within the body lumen; and power circuitry configured to convert a voltage differential between the first and second conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components of the implantable sensor; operating the implantable sensor within a body lumen of the patient at a location that subjects the flexible piezoelectric layer to periodic pressure pulses, thereby causing a voltage differential between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor; and converting the voltage differential into an operating current for powering one or more components of the implantable sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification