METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWERING IMPLANTABLE DEVICES
First Claim
1. A ventricular assist device (VAD) system comprising:
- at least one external subsystem comprising a drive loop, an amplifier operably connected to selectively provide radio frequency energy to the drive loop, a transmitter resonator configured to be inductively coupled to the drive loop, and a sensor operable to monitor the drive loop;
an implantable subsystem configured to be implanted in a patient and comprising a VAD, a load loop operably connected to the VAD, and a receiver resonator configured to be inductively coupled to the load loop;
wherein during operation the transmitter resonator and the receiver resonator comprise a magnetically coupled resonator (MCR) such that the VAD is energized from radio frequency energy from the amplifier that is inductively transmitted from the drive loop to the MCR and is inductively transmitted from the MCR to the load loop; and
a controller operable to receive data from the sensor, and to use the received data to actively control the system to optimize energy transfer efficiency in the MCR.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ventricular assist device (VAD) system includes one or more external subsystems including an amplifier energizing a drive loop with alternating current, and a Tx resonator inductively coupled to the drive loop. An implanted subsystem includes a VAD, an Rx resonator that forms a magnetically coupled resonator with the Tx resonator, and a load loop for providing power to the VAD that is inductively coupled to the Rx resonator. A sensor monitors the drive loop and a controller uses the sensor data to adjust a system parameter to optimize energy transfer performance. Distributing a plurality of the external subsystems throughout a defined space provides a patient with freedom of movement within the defined space.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A ventricular assist device (VAD) system comprising:
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at least one external subsystem comprising a drive loop, an amplifier operably connected to selectively provide radio frequency energy to the drive loop, a transmitter resonator configured to be inductively coupled to the drive loop, and a sensor operable to monitor the drive loop; an implantable subsystem configured to be implanted in a patient and comprising a VAD, a load loop operably connected to the VAD, and a receiver resonator configured to be inductively coupled to the load loop; wherein during operation the transmitter resonator and the receiver resonator comprise a magnetically coupled resonator (MCR) such that the VAD is energized from radio frequency energy from the amplifier that is inductively transmitted from the drive loop to the MCR and is inductively transmitted from the MCR to the load loop; and a controller operable to receive data from the sensor, and to use the received data to actively control the system to optimize energy transfer efficiency in the MCR. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing energy to a medical system implanted in a patient, the medical system including a medical device, a load loop operably connected to the medical device, and a receiver resonator inductively coupled to the load loop, the method comprising:
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providing a garment having a relay resonator that is positioned in the garment such that the relay resonator overlies the receiver resonator when the garment is worn by the patient; providing a plurality of external energy systems disposed throughout a defined space, wherein each of the plurality of external energy systems comprise a drive loop connected to an alternating current source and a transmitter resonator configured to form a magnetically coupled resonator (MCR) with the receiver resonator and the relay resonator, wherein the drive loop is inductively coupled to the transmitter resonator; monitoring the drive loop with a sensor to generate data and using the data to actively adjust an impedance of the MCR. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification