Automatic On-Off Charger for an Implantable Medical Device
First Claim
1. A method for charging a battery in an implantable medical device using an external charger, comprising:
- (a) automatically determining at the external charger that the implantable medical device is possibly proximate the external charger;
(b) upon determining that the external charger is possibly proximate the implantable medical device, automatically generating a second magnetic field from a first coil in the external charger;
(c) receiving at the external charger and during the second magnetic field at least one indication from the implantable medical device; and
(d) upon receiving the at least one indication, automatically generating a third magnetic field from the first coil in the external charger to wirelessly charge the battery in the implantable medical device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An external charger for an implantable medical device is disclosed which can automatically detect an implant and generate a charging field. The technique uses circuitry typically present in an external charger, such as control circuitry, a Load Shift Keying (LSK) demodulator, and a coupling detector. An algorithm in the control circuitry periodically issues charging fields of short duration in a standby mode. If the coupling detector detects the presence of a conductive material, the algorithm issues a listening window during which a charging field is generated. If an LSK reply signal is received at the LSK demodulator, the external charger can charge the implant in a normal fashion. If a movement signature is detected at the LSK demodulator indicative of a predetermined user movement of the external charger, a charging field is issued for a set timing period, to at least partially charge the IPG battery to restore LSK communications.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for charging a battery in an implantable medical device using an external charger, comprising:
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(a) automatically determining at the external charger that the implantable medical device is possibly proximate the external charger; (b) upon determining that the external charger is possibly proximate the implantable medical device, automatically generating a second magnetic field from a first coil in the external charger; (c) receiving at the external charger and during the second magnetic field at least one indication from the implantable medical device; and (d) upon receiving the at least one indication, automatically generating a third magnetic field from the first coil in the external charger to wirelessly charge the battery in the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. The method of 15, wherein if the first indication is received, the third magnetic field continues until the battery in the implantable medical device has been fully charged, and wherein if the second indication is received, the third magnetic field continues for a set time period.
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18. An external charger for charging a battery in an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a coil; driver circuitry configured to energize the coil to generate a magnetic field; detection circuitry configured to measure a parameter of the coil while it is energized; control circuitry coupled to the driver circuitry and the detection circuitry; and an algorithm associated with the control circuitry, wherein the algorithm is configured to assess the measured parameter; to determine if the implantable medical device is possibly proximate to the external charger, and if so, to determine if at least one indication from the implantable medical device has been received, and if so to, energize the coil to generate a magnetic field to charge the battery in the implant. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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29. The external charger of 27, wherein if the second indication is received, the algorithm is configured to energize the coil to generate a magnetic field to charge the battery in the implant for a set time period.
Specification