CHARGER FOR IMPLANT

• US 20110193688A1
• Filed: 09/12/2009
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kirk Promotion Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Milux Holding SA
• Inventors: Forsell, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2046 Tracking techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/373 using light, e.g. by using optical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0031 for constricting the lumen; Support slings for the urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8287 operated by an external magnetic or electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 : specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 : Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 : Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 : characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 : using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 : involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 : involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 : with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A system for supplying energy to an implantable medical device when implanted in a patient'"'"'s body can comprise an internal charger arranged to be implanted in the patient'"'"'s body, the internal charger comprising a first coil. The system can further comprise an external charger arranged to wirelessly transmit energy to supply power to the internal charger, using a second coil. The system also comprises a wireless feedback system arranged to transmit feedback information from the internal charger to the external charger. The feedback information is based on information from at least one Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transmitter. Hereby a user of the system can optimize the position of the external power supply in relation to the internal power supply based on the received feedback information. This in turn will result in a better and more robust energy transfer to the implanted medical device.

Claims

1. A system for supplying energy to an implanted medical device for implantation in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising

an internal charger arranged to be implanted in the patient'"'"'s body, the internal charger comprising a first coil,

an external charger arranged to wirelessly transmit energy to supply the internal charger with energy, the external charger comprising a second coil, and

a wireless feedback system arranged to transmit feedback information from the internal charger to the external charger, wherein the feedback information is based on information obtained from at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback information is related to the strength of an electromagnetic field generated by the external charger.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one RFID transmitter is arranged to change its identification in response to the electromagnetic field at the transmitter and to transmit the changed identification when interrogated.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless feedback system comprises a plurality of RFID transmitters/receivers.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a unit for evaluating identification signals received from the RFID transmitters, the unit using a triangulation algorithm for determining the position of the external charger or of the internal charger, respectively, in relation to the RFID transmitters.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a unit for evaluating identification signals received from the at least one RFID transmitter, the unit arranged to measure the time period between the time when an interrogating signal is issued and the time when an identification is received from the at least one RHO transmitter, the measured time period representing or being directly related to the geometrical distance between an interrogating transceiver and the at least one RFID transmitter.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external charger further comprises an indicator arranged to indicate an improved or worsened relative position of the external charger or the internal charger, respectively, and the at least one RFID transmitter or a positive or negative change of the distance between the external charger or the internal charger, respectively, and the at least one RFID transmitter.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external charger further comprises an indicator arranged to indicate an optimal or closest possible placement of the second coil in relation to the first coil.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external charger further comprises a unit arranged to generate a signal indicative of the current relative position of the external charger or the internal charger, respectively, and the at least one RFID transmitter or the current distance between the external charger or the internal charger, respectively, and the at least one RFID transmitter.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external charger comprises a display arranged to display the feedback information or information derived therefrom.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the display comprises a plurality of differently colored light sources.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external charger comprises a unit producing audible sound representing the feedback information or information derived therefrom.

20. A method of using a system according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

creating an opening in the skin of the patient,

dissecting an area of the patient,

placing an the internal power supply comprising the internal charger within said area

charging said internal power supply postoperatively and non-invasively by

wirelessly transmitting energy from an external power supply comprising the external charger, said internal power supply further comprising an RFID identification,

wirelessly receiving feedback information from the internal power supply transmitted out of the patient'"'"'s body as a signal containing said RFID identification.

13. A method of supplying, to an implantable medical device, when implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, the medical device comprising an internal power supply arranged to be implanted in the patient'"'"'s body and comprising a first coil, energy from an external power supply comprising a second coil, the method comprising the steps of:

wirelessly transmitting energy to supply power to the internal power supply, and

receiving, the external power supply, feedback information from the internal power supply, wherein the feedback information is based on information from at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the feedback information is related to the strength of an electromagnetic field generated by the external power supply.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the identification of the at least one RFID transmitter is set in response to the strength of the electromagnetic field at the at least one RFID transmitter.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the wirelessly transmitted feedback information is transmitted and/or received using a plurality of RFID transmitters and/or a plurality of RFID receivers or interrogators.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of determining the position of the internal power supply based on measurements on signals issued from the RFID transmitter or transmitters and then using a triangulation algorithm.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying the feedback information or information derived therefrom.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the feedback information or other information is displayed using a plurality of different colors, such as light from differently colored light sources.

21-22. -22. (canceled)