MRI-Safe Implant Electronics

• US 20110043210A1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Baumgartner, Josef, Zimmerling, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,008,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/67 Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606

Abstract

A power supply arrangement for an implantable electronic system is described. An MRI power supply arrangement cooperates with an implantable power supply circuit to provide a high output impedance for implanted circuitry during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Claims

1. A power supply arrangement for an implantable electronic system comprising:

an MRI power supply arrangement cooperating with an implantable power supply circuit and providing a high output impedance for implanted circuitry during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

2. A power supply arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an implantable MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

3. A power supply arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an external MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

4. A power supply arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is battery powered.

5. A power supply arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is powered by RF pulses generated during MRI.

6. A power supply arrangement according to claim 3, further comprising:

an external holding magnet cooperating with a corresponding implant magnet to establish a correct position of the external MRI power supply circuit with respect to the implantable power supply circuit.

7. A power supply arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the external holding magnet is removable.

8. A power supply arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the implanted circuitry is for a cochlear implant system.

9. A method for providing electrical power to an implantable electronic system, the method comprising:

cooperating between an MRI power supply arrangement and an implantable power supply circuit to provide a high output impedance for implanted circuitry during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an implantable MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an external MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is arranged to be battery powered.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is arranged to be powered by RF pulses generated during MRI.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

cooperating between an external holding magnet and a corresponding implant magnet to establish a correct position of the external MRI power supply circuit with respect to the implantable power supply circuit.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the external holding magnet is removable.

16. A method according to claim 9, wherein the implanted circuitry is for a cochlear implant system.

17. A power supply arrangement for an implantable electronic system comprising:

means for cooperating between an MRI power supply arrangement and an implantable power supply circuit to provide a high output impedance for implanted circuitry during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

18. A power supply arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an implantable MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

19. A power supply arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the MRI power supply arrangement includes an external MRI power supply circuit coupled to the implantable power supply circuit for providing a power supply voltage to the implanted circuitry during MRI.

20. A power supply arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is arranged to be battery powered.

21. A power supply arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the external MRI power supply circuit is arranged to be powered by RF pulses generated during MRI.

22. A power supply arrangement according to claim 19, further comprising:

means for cooperating between an external holding magnet and a corresponding implant magnet to establish a correct position of the external MRI power supply circuit with respect to the implantable power supply circuit.

23. A power supply arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the external holding magnet is removable.

24. A power supply arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the implanted circuitry is for a cochlear implant system.