Wireless Energy Transfer for Medical Applications

• US 20150088129A1
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Inventors: Ganem, Steven J., Kesler, Morris P., Hall, Katherine L., Schatz, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,662,161 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/40 Automatic matching of load impedance to source impedance

Abstract

Wireless energy transfer devices and systems for medical environments include, in at least some implementations, a wirelessly powered surgical device including: a device resonator configured to generate an oscillating voltage from a captured oscillating magnetic field; and a surgical tool electrically coupled to the device resonator, the surgical tool having a functional output that is capable of being directly powered by the oscillating voltage, and the surgical tool having a rechargeable battery backup; wherein the oscillating voltage is at least 30 volts and has a frequency of at least 1 kHz. Wireless energy transfer is utilized to eliminate cords and power cables from operating instruments and electronic equipment, facilitating mobility.

Claims

1. A wirelessly powered surgical device comprising:

a device resonator configured to generate an oscillating voltage from a captured oscillating magnetic field; and

a surgical tool electrically coupled to the device resonator, the surgical tool having a functional output that is capable of being directly powered by the oscillating voltage, and the surgical tool having a rechargeable battery backup;

wherein the oscillating voltage is at least 30 volts and has a frequency of at least 1 kHz.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery backup is electrically coupled to the device resonator and is configured to be recharged from the oscillating voltage.

3. The device of claim 1, comprising a robot comprising the device resonator and the surgical tool.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the functional output includes an electric scalpel powered by the oscillating voltage.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the functional output includes a cauterizer powered by the oscillating voltage.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a voltage sensor to measure a voltage of the oscillating voltage, thereby providing a voltage measurement.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a wireless communication capability to transmit the voltage measurement.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the robot comprises a source resonator to generate the captured oscillating magnetic field, an energy storage system, and an additional device resonator configured to receive power wirelessly from a wireless source separate from the robot.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the source resonator and the device resonator has a quality factor greater than 100.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one parameter of the source resonator is adjusted in response to receiving the voltage measurement from the voltage sensor.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein a frequency of the oscillating magnetic field generated by the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein an output power of the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

13. A wirelessly powered surgical system comprising:

a source resonator configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field;

a device resonator wirelessly coupled to the source resonator and configured to generate an oscillating voltage energy from the oscillating magnetic field; and

a surgical tool having an electrical output that is capable of being directly powered by the oscillating voltage energy, and the surgical tool having a rechargeable battery backup;

wherein the oscillating voltage is at least 30 volts and has a frequency of at least 1 kHz.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the surgical tool includes an electric scalpel.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the surgical tool includes a tissue cauterizer.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a voltage sensor to measuring a voltage of the oscillating voltage energy, thereby providing a voltage measurement.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a communication interface that couples the voltage sensor to the source resonator, the voltage sensor configured to transmit the voltage measurement to the source resonator.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one parameter of the source resonator is adjusted in response to the voltage measurement from voltage sensor.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein a frequency of the oscillating magnetic field generated by the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein an output power of the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the source resonator and the device resonator has a quality factor greater than 100.

22. The system of claim 13, comprising a robot comprising:

the source resonator;

a battery; and

an additional device resonator configured to receive power wirelessly from a wireless source separate from the robot.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the rechargeable battery backup is electrically coupled to the device resonator and is configured to be recharged from the oscillating voltage.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the additional device resonator is mounted on a movable extension of the robot.