SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REGULATING INDUCTIVE ENERGY TRANSFER TO AN IMPLANTABLE SYSTEM

• US 20140266022A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sequana Medical NV
• Original Assignee: Sequana Medical AG (Sequana Medical NV)
• Inventors: DEGEN, Thomas Werner, TSCHUMPER, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 9,577,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2027/004 with at least a part of the circuit outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3538 using electrical conduction through the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for regulating the transfer of energy inductively between an implantable device and an external charging system, wherein the energy transfer rate is regulated by varying an operating frequency of an inductive energy transfer circuit of the implantable device responsive a temperature measured within the implantable device.

Claims

1. An implantable device configured to be inductively charged or powered by an external charging system having a resonant frequency, the implantable device comprising:

an inductive energy transfer circuit having an operating frequency;

a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of a portion of the implantable device; and

a controller coupled to the temperature sensor, the controller configured to adjust the operating frequency away from the resonant frequency when the temperature indication is above the predetermined value, thereby regulating an amount of energy received through the inductive energy transfer circuit.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor outputs a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of the inductive energy transfer circuit.

3. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein the temperature sensor outputs a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of the battery.

4. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the inductive energy transfer circuit includes an adjustable impedance, and the controller adjusts the variable impedance to shift the operating frequency.

5. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the inductive energy transfer circuit includes a coil, and the adjustable impedance is connected in series with the coil.

6. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the inductive energy transfer circuit includes a coil, and the adjustable impedance is connected in parallel with the coil.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a programmed microprocessor.

8. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising a zener diode at an output of the inductive energy transfer circuit, wherein the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the zener diode.

9. The implantable device of claim 8, further comprising a selectable short circuit in the energy transfer circuit, wherein, if the temperature of the zener diode reaches a threshold, the energy transfer circuit is modified by selecting the short circuit to apply an electrical short across the energy transfer coil.

10. The implantable device of claim 9 wherein the temperature sensor and zener diode are fabricated as an integrated circuit.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable device further comprises a zener diode at an output of the inductive energy transfer circuit, wherein outputting from the temperature sensor a temperature indication comprises outputting a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of the zener diode.

18. The implantable device of claim 17, further inductive energy transfer circuit further comprises a selectable short circuit and a coil, wherein adjusting the operating frequency further comprises, if the temperature of the zener diode reaches a threshold, selecting the short circuit to apply an electrical short across the coil.

11. A method of regulating energy transfer in an implantable device configured to be inductively charged or powered by an external charging system having a resonant frequency, the method comprising:

providing an implantable device including an inductive energy transfer circuit having an operating frequency and a temperature sensor;

outputting from the temperature sensor a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of a portion of the implantable device; and

adjusting the operating frequency away from the resonant frequency when the temperature indication is above the predetermined value, thereby regulating an amount of energy received by the implantable device through the inductive energy transfer circuit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein outputting from the temperature sensor a temperature indication comprises outputting a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of the inductive energy transfer circuit.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the implantable device further comprises a battery, wherein outputting from the temperature sensor a temperature indication comprises outputting a temperature indication corresponding to a temperature of the battery.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the inductive energy transfer circuit includes an adjustable impedance, and adjusting the operating frequency comprises adjusting the variable impedance to shift the operating frequency.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the inductive energy transfer circuit includes an adjustable impedance, and adjusting the operating frequency comprises creating an open or short in the inductive energy transfer circuit.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein implantable device further comprises a controller coupled to the temperature sensor, and adjusting the operating frequency further comprises executing programming with the microprocessor to instruct the inductive energy transfer circuit to shift frequency.