IMPLANTED DEVICE WITH WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER AND EXTERNAL ALIGNMENT FEATURE

• US 20160082171A1
• Filed: 09/17/2015
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heartware,Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Heartware,Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rudser, John
• Granted Patent: US 10,213,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/122 Implantable pumps or pumping devices, i.e. the blood being pumped inside the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/538 Regulation using real-time blood pump operational parameter data, e.g. motor current
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/875 specially adapted for optimising alignment of external and implantable coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An implant device includes a housing and an energy receiving element disposed in the housing. The energy receiving element is configured to be electrically connected to an energy-consuming device. The implant device is configured to be mounted within a body of a human or non-human animal. The housing includes a feature configured to be accessible through skin of the animal and to receive a corresponding mating member of an external charger including an energy transmitting element. The energy receiving element is configured to receive energy wirelessly from the energy transmitting element when the external charger is mated with the housing.

Claims

1. An implant device comprising:

a housing; and

an energy receiving element disposed in the housing and configured to be electrically connected to an energy-consuming device,

wherein the implant device is configured to be mounted within a body of an animal,

wherein the housing comprises a feature configured to be accessible through skin of the animal and to receive a corresponding mating member of an external charger comprising an energy transmitting element, and

wherein the energy receiving element is configured to receive energy wirelessly from the energy transmitting element when the external charger is mated with the housing.

2. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the energy receiving element comprises a first coil and the energy transmitting element comprises a second coil,

wherein the first and second coils are configured to transmit energy inductively therebetween.

3. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the feature of the housing protrudes through the skin of the animal.

4. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the feature of the housing comprises an indentation and the corresponding mating member comprises a button configured to mate with the indentation.

5. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the energy receiving element comprises an RF antenna.

6. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the energy receiving element comprises an ultrasonic receiver.

7. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the energy receiving element comprises an optical receiver.

8. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to releasably secure the external charger therewith.

9. The implant device of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a layer of adhesive to releasably secure the external charger to the housing.

10. The implant device of claim 1, further comprising the energy consuming device disposed in the housing.

11. A wireless energy transfer system comprising:

an implant device configured to be at least partially mounted within a body of an animal, the implant device comprising a first housing; and

an energy receiving element disposed in the first housing and configured to be electrically connected to an energy-consuming device,

wherein the first housing comprises a feature configured to be accessible through skin of the animal,

wherein the system further comprises;

an external charging device comprising a second housing; and

an energy transmitting element disposed in the second housing and configured to be electrically connected to an energy source,

wherein the second housing comprises a mating member configured to mate with the feature of the first housing, and

wherein, when the first and second housings are mated to one another, the energy transmitting element is aligned to wirelessly transmit energy to the energy receiving element.

12. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 11, further comprising the energy consuming device arranged in the first housing and electrically connected to the energy receiving element.

13. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 11, further comprising means for securing the first housing to the second housing when the mating member is mated with the feature of the first housing.

14. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises an adhesive layer configured to secure the first housing to the second housing.

15. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a first magnet disposed in the first housing and a second magnet in the second housing.

16. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a bayonet nut connector for securing the first housing and the second housing to one another.

17. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a latching mechanism for securing the first housing and the second housing to one another.

18. The wireless energy transfer system of claim 11, wherein the first housing and the second housing are configured for telemetric data communication therebetween.