ACCESSORY FOR AN IMPLANT

• US 20110195666A1
• Filed: 10/12/2009
• 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 9,320,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/068 using impedance sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0004 Closure means for urethra or rectum, i.e. anti-incontinence devices or support slings against pelvic prolapse
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

An accessory (11) for use with an implanted medical device (100, 102) in a mammal body is intended for use externally to said mammal body and is arranged to wirelessly transmit signals to said implanted medical device (100,102). Said signals are sent in order to initiate a backup function or a backup system in said implanted medical device. The signals can be sent to initiate said backup function or backup system to override a built in control and/or powering system of the implanted device (100, 102). Also, the accessory can send said signals as wireless power signals to a receiver (102) for wirelessly receiving power in said implanted medical device, the signal information regarding the backup function being coded into said power signals.

Claims

1. An accessory (11) for use with an implanted medical device (100, 102) in a mammal body, the accessory being intended for use external to said mammal body and arranged to wirelessly transmit signals to said implanted medical device (100, 102), characterized in that the signals are sent in order to initiate a backup function or a backup system in said implanted medical device.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein said signals are sent in order to initiate said backup function or backup system to override a built in control and/or powering system of the implanted device (100, 102).

3. The accessory of claim 1, to send said signals as power signals wirelessly to a receiver (102) for wirelessly receiving power in said implanted medical device, information regarding the backup function being coded into said power signals.

4. The accessory of claim 1, being arranged to send said signals as wirelessly transmitted information signals, the accessory also being arranged to wirelessly transmit power to said device, in order to power the operation of the backup function in the implanted medical device.

5. The accessory of claim 1, being arranged to wirelessly receive signals from said implanted medical device, and to use said received signals to determine whether the accessory (11) should send further signals and/or energy to the implanted medical device (100, 102).

6. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a first power source (114, 116) arranged to wirelessly supply power to a second power source (102) in the implanted medical device to energize or charge said second power source, the first power source comprising a first coil (114) through which energy (116) can be passed to be supplied to the second energy source, i.e. that of the implanted device.

7. The accessory claim 6, wherein the first power source (114) is arranged to detect impedance variations when moved in relation to the implanted device, in order to optimize the position of the accessory with respect to the position of the second power source, i.e. the power source of the implanted device, said optimization being for the supply of energy and/or for transferring information signals between the first (114) and the second (102) power sources.

8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein said impedance variation is an impedance maximum or minimum or the difference therebetween.

9. The accessory of claim 7, wherein said position of the accessory is the position of the first power source (114) in which the position of the first power source is optimized with respect to the second power source.

10. The accessory of claim 7, further comprising an indicator (118) arranged to indicate a better position for energy supply to the second power source in response to said impedance variation.

11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein said indicator (118) comprises a display arranged to display the feedback information.

12. The accessory of claim 6, wherein the first power source (114) is arranged to calibrate the supply of energy to the second power source by increasing the amount of transferred energy to the second power source until a change in said impedance variation is detected, said change being in excess of or below a predefined threshold.

13. The accessory of claim 6, wherein the first power supply (114) comprises an analyzing unit (120) arranged to analyze detected impedance variations and also arranged to indicate an optimal placement of said second coil or of the accessory in relation to said implanted device or said second coil, based on the analyzed impedance variations.

18. The power source of claim 14, wherein the power source is arranged to use the accessory (11) of any of claims 1-13 as said external power supply.

14. A power source arranged to be implanted in a mammal patient'"'"'s body for supplying power to an implanted medical device in the mammal'"'"'s body, the power source comprising a receiver (102) for wirelessly receiving power from a power source external to the patient'"'"'s body, said receiver comprising a coil.

16. The power source of claim 14, further comprising a power switch (110) to switch said coil on and off from connection with said implanted medical device (100).

17. The power source of claim 14, further comprising a control unit (108) which is arranged to make and control transmissions of feedback information to the external power source, said information being related to the power received from the external power supply, said transmissions being made as impedance variations caused by switching said switch on and off in a predetermined pattern.

15. The power source of clam 14, further comprising a backup override system arranged to receive signals which trigger a backup system to override one or more other functions for controlling and/or powering said medical device.

19. The power source of claim 15, wherein said backup system is arranged to perform an emergency activity, said activity comprising a predetermined activity in the implanted medical device (100).

20. The power source of claim 19, wherein which said predetermined activity comprises running a motor or pumping using a pump or stimulating using a stimulator.

21-80. -80. (canceled)