Charger With Data Transfer Capabilities

• US 20120101874A1
• Filed: 02/15/2006
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metacure NV
• Inventors: Policker, Shai, Prutchi, David, Rousso, Benny, Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Sholder, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/392 Detecting gastrointestinal contractions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0026 Anti-eating devices using electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Gastric apparatus (18) is provided, including one or more sensors (70, 72, 74), adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject, and an implantable control unit (90), comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers. The implantable control unit (90) is adapted to receive the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set. An external control unit (200), including a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, is adapted to drive the power source to inductively transfer energy via one or more transducers of the second set, so as to recharge the battery, and receive the transmitted data, using one or more transducers of the second set.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising:

one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a physiological parameter of a subject;

an implantable control unit, comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to receive the sensor signals, and transmit data responsively thereto, using one or more of the transducers of the first set; and

an external control unit, comprising a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted to;

drive the power source to wirelessly transfer energy via one or more of the transducers of the second set, and

receive the transmitted data, using one or more of the transducers of the second set,

wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to receive the transmitted energy, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and charge the battery using the energy.

2. The apparatus according to claim 134, wherein the GI tract physiological parameter includes a parameter indicative of electrical activity of the GI tract, and wherein the sensors are adapted to generate the signals responsively to the electrical activity parameter.

3. The apparatus according to claim 134, wherein the GI tract physiological parameter includes a parameter indicative of an impedance of the GI tract, and wherein the sensors are adapted to generate the signals responsively to the impedance parameter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external control unit is adapted to transmit information to the implantable control unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the transducers of the first set comprises a coil, and wherein at least one of the transducers of the second set comprises a coil.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the transducers of the first set comprises a piezoelectric transducer, and wherein at least one of the transducers of the second set comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to transmit the data using the same one or more transducers of the first set that the implantable control unit uses to receive the energy.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external control unit is adapted to transfer the energy using the same one or more transducers of the second set that the external control unit uses to receive the transmitted data.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an external recharging element, wherein the power source of the external control unit comprises a rechargeable battery adapted to be recharged using the recharging element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 134, comprising an implantable stimulator coupled to the implantable control unit, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to drive the stimulator to apply stimulation to the GI tract.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to configure the stimulation to treat diabetes of the subject.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to configure the stimulation to treat obesity of the subject.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the external control unit is adapted to monitor, using the received data, information regarding the applied stimulation, the information selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of time per day that the implantable control unit drives the stimulator to apply the stimulation to the GI tract, and a number of times per day that the implantable control unit drives the stimulator to apply the stimulation to the GI tract.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the external control unit comprises an output element, which is adapted to output the information regarding the applied stimulation.

16. The apparatus according to claim 134, wherein the GI tract includes a stomach of the subject, and wherein the one or more sensors are adapted to generate the respective sensor signals responsively to the GI tract physiological parameter of the stomach.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the external control unit is adapted to monitor a gastric slow wave rate of the subject responsively to the received data.

18. The apparatus according to claim 134, wherein the external control unit is adapted to store information regarding eating habits of the subject.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external control unit comprises an output element, which is adapted to output the eating habit information.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external control unit is adapted to transmit the eating habit information to the implantable control unit, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to detect eating of the subject responsively to the sensor signals using at least one eating detection parameter set responsively to the eating habit information.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external control unit is adapted to transmit the eating habit information to the implantable control unit, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to detect eating of the subject responsively to the sensor signals using an eating detection algorithm having a threshold set responsively to the eating habit information.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external control unit comprises at least one input element, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to determine at least a portion of the eating habit information in response to information input by a human via the input element.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the eating habit information is reflected in a meal log, and wherein the input element is adapted to accept input of the meal log by the human.

24. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external control unit is adapted to determine at least a portion of the eating habit information responsively to the received data.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the eating habit information includes information selected from the group consisting of:

a number of meals consumed per time period by the subject, a quantity of food consumed by the subject, a quantity of food consumed per time period by the subject, and a number of eating detections per time period, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to store the selected eating habit information.

26. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the eating habit information includes an indication that the subject follows a particular eating regimen, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to transmit the indication to the implantable control unit.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to detect eating of the subject responsively to the sensor signals using an eating detection algorithm having a threshold set responsively to the indication.

28. The apparatus according to claim 134, comprising an implantable stimulator coupled to the implantable control unit, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to drive the stimulator to apply stimulation to the GI tract, and set a parameter of the stimulation at least in part responsively to the indication.

29. The apparatus according to claim 134, wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive an indication of a non-GI tract physiological parameter of the subject.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the external control unit comprises an output element, which is adapted to output the indication and eating habit information of the subject.

31. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes an indication of a body composition of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the indication of the body composition.

32. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of:

a heart rate of the subject, at least one parameter of an ECG of the subject, and a blood pressure of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the selected indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter.

33. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes an indication of a level of exercise of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the exercise level indication.

34. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes an indication of a weight of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the indication of the weight.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the indication of the weight includes an indication selected from the group consisting of:

a weight of the subject, and a body mass index of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the selected indication.

36. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the external control unit is adapted to store eating habit information selected from the group consisting of:

a number of meals consumed per time period by the subject, a quantity of food consumed by the subject, and a quantity of food consumed per time period by the subject, and wherein the external control unit comprises an output element, which is adapted to output the weight and the selected eating habit information.

37. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication of the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes a blood glucose level of the subject, and wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive the blood glucose level.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive an indication of eating of a meal by the subject, and wherein the external control unit comprises an output element, which is adapted to output the blood glucose level in conjunction with the indication of meal eating.

39. The apparatus according to claim 29, comprising an implantable stimulator coupled to the implantable control unit,

wherein the external control unit is adapted to transmit, to the implantable control unit, information selected from the group consisting of:

the indication, and information derived from an analysis of the indication, and

wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to drive the stimulator to apply stimulation to the GI tract.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to modify a parameter of the stimulation at least in part responsively to the information.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the stimulation parameter includes an intensity of the stimulation, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to modify the intensity of the stimulation at least in part responsively to the information.

42. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the stimulation parameter includes a timing parameter of the stimulation, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to modify the timing parameter of the stimulation at least in part responsively to the information.

43. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to change a mode of the stimulation at least in part responsively to the information.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes a blood glucose level of the subject, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to change the mode of the stimulation from a glucose-level-control mode to an early-satiety-induction mode, in response to a determination that the blood glucose level is at a desired level.

45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the non-GI tract physiological parameter includes a weight of the subject, and wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to increase a relative amount of time that the mode of the stimulation is a glucose-level-control mode compared to an early-satiety-induction mode, responsively to the weight.

46. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external control unit is adapted to be coupled to a remote service provider.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, comprising an external cradle, wherein the external control unit is adapted to be removably coupled to the cradle, and to be coupled to the service provider via the cradle.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the external control unit is adapted to receive information from the service provider.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the external control unit is adapted to send information to the service provider selected from the group consisting of:

at least a portion of the received data, and information derived from an analysis of at least a portion of the received data.

134. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter includes a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of the subject, and wherein the one or more sensors are adapted to generate the respective sensor signals responsively to the GI tract physiological parameter.

135. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter includes a heart-related physiological parameter of the subject, and wherein the one or more sensors are adapted to generate the respective sensor signals responsively to the heart-related physiological parameter.

136. The apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising an implantable stimulator coupled to the implantable control unit, wherein the implantable control unit is adapted to drive the stimulator to apply stimulation to a heart of the subject.

4. (canceled)

50. Gastric apparatus for use with a scale, the apparatus comprising:

one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject;

an implantable control unit, comprising a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set; and

an external control unit, comprising a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted to;

receive the transmitted data, using one or more of the transducers of the second set, and

be coupled to the scale, and to receive an indication of a weight of the subject from the scale.

51-56. -56. (canceled)

57. Gastric apparatus for use with a glucose monitor, the apparatus comprising:

one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject;

an implantable control unit, comprising a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set; and

an external control unit, comprising a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted to;

receive the transmitted data, using one or more of the transducers of the second set, and

be coupled to the glucose monitor, and receive a blood glucose level of the subject from the glucose monitor.

58-62. -62. (canceled)

63. Gastric apparatus for use in conjunction with a remote service provider, the apparatus comprising:

one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject;

an implantable control unit, comprising a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set; and

an external control unit, comprising a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted to;

receive the transmitted data, using one or more of the transducers of the second set, and

send eating-related information to the service provider selected from the group consisting of;

at least a portion of the received data, and information derived from an analysis of at least a portion of the received data.

64. Apparatus comprising:

an implantable control unit, comprising a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to transmit data using one or more of the transducers of the first set;

an external receiver, comprising a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted to receive the data using one or more of the transducers of the second set; and

a processing unit, adapted to determine a financial incentive for the subject responsively to at least a portion of the data.

65-67. -67. (canceled)

68. A method comprising:

implanting, in a body of a subject, a control unit having a rechargeable battery;

generating one or more signals responsively to a physiological parameter of the subject, and receiving the signals at the control unit;

transmitting, from the control unit, data responsively to the signals;

transmitting energy from a site outside the body to the control unit, and recharging the battery using the energy; and

receiving the transmitted data at the site outside the body.

69. The method according to claim 68, wherein the subject suffers from diabetes, and wherein implanting the control unit comprises implanting the control unit in the subject that suffers from the diabetes.

70. The method according to claim 68, wherein the subject suffers from obesity, and wherein implanting the control unit comprises implanting the control unit in the subject that suffers from the obesity.

71. The method according to claim 68, wherein the subject suffers from a heart condition, and wherein implanting the control unit comprises implanting the control unit in the subject that suffers from the heart condition.

72. The method according to claim 68, comprising providing a financial incentive to the subject responsively to a physiological improvement in the subject determined responsively to the transmitted data.

73. The method according to claim 72, wherein providing the financial incentive comprises calculating a value of the incentive responsively to a measure of the physiological improvement.

74. The method according to claim 72, wherein providing the financial incentive comprises awarding a coupon to the subject.

137. The method according to claim 68, wherein the physiological parameter includes a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of the subject, and wherein generating comprises generating the one or more signals responsively to the GI tract physiological parameter.

138. The method according to claim 68, wherein the physiological parameter includes a heart-related physiological parameter of the subject, and wherein generating comprises generating the one or more signals responsively to the heart-related physiological parameter.

75. A method comprising:

generating, from within a body of a subject, one or more signals responsively to a physiological parameter of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the subject;

transmitting, from within the body, data responsively to the signals;

receiving the data at a site external to the body; and

receiving an indication of a weight of the subject.

76-82. -82. (canceled)

83. A method comprising:

generating, from within a body of a subject, one or more signals responsively to a physiological parameter of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the subject;

transmitting, from within the body, data responsively to the signals;

receiving the data at a site external to the subject;

sensing a blood glucose level of the subject;

determining eating habit information responsively to the received data; and

outputting the sensed glucose level and the eating habit information.

84-86. -86. (canceled)

87. A method comprising:

generating, from within a body of a subject, one or more signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of the subject;

transmitting, from within the body, data responsively to the signals;

receiving the data at a site external to the body; and

sending eating-related information to a service provider, the information selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of the received data, and information derived from an analysis of at least a portion of the received data.

88-93. -93. (canceled)

94. A method comprising:

implanting a device within a body of a subject;

transmitting data from the device;

receiving the data at a site external to the body; and

providing a financial incentive to the subject responsively to the data.

95-133. -133. (canceled)