RESONANT POWER TRANSFER SYSTEMS WITH COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20160254703A1
• Filed: 11/11/2014
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Hansen, John Freddy
• Granted Patent: US 10,695,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• 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 60/20 Type thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/523 using blood flow data, e.g. from blood flow transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging
• 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 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and communications are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system comprises an external transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power, an implantable receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator, and a user interface device comprising a resonant coil circuit, the resonant coil circuit being configured to receive magnetic communication signals from the transmit resonator or the receive resonator and to display information relating to the magnetic communication signals to a user of the user interface device.

Claims

1. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:

an external transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power;

an implantable receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator; and

a user interface device comprising a resonant coil circuit, the resonant coil circuit being configured to receive magnetic communication signals from the transmit resonator or the receive resonator and to display information relating to the magnetic communication signals to a user of the user interface device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device is further configured to receive wireless power from the external transmit resonator.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the resonant coil circuit of the user interface device is also configured to transmit magnetic communication signals to the transmit resonator or the receive resonator.

4. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:

an external transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power;

an implantable receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator, the receive resonator further comprising an ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit ultrasound communication signals; and

a user interface device comprising an ultrasound transceiver configured to receive the ultrasound communication signals from the receive resonator and to display information relating to the ultrasound communication signals to a user of the TET system.

5. A method of transmitting wireless power and communications, comprising:

transmitting wireless power from an external transmit resonator to an implanted receive resonator or an external user interface device;

receiving wireless power with the implanted receive resonator or the external user interface device;

transmitting magnetic communications from one of the transmit resonator, receive resonator, or user interface device; and

receiving the magnetic communications with one of the transmit resonator, receive resonator, or user interface device.

6. A method of transmitting wireless power and communications, comprising:

transmitting wireless power from an external transmit resonator to an implanted receive resonator or an external user interface device;

receiving wireless power with the implanted receive resonator or the external user interface device;

transmitting ultrasonic communications from one of the transmit resonator, receive resonator, or user interface device; and

receiving the ultrasonic communications with one of the transmit resonator, receive resonator, or user interface device.

7. A wireless energy transmission system, comprising:

a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power;

a receive resonator remote from the transmit resonator and configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator; and

a display device comprising a resonant coil circuit, the resonant coil circuit being configured to transmit or receive magnetic communication signals from the transmit resonator or the receive resonator and to display information relating to the magnetic communication signals to a user of the display device.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the display device is wearable.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the display device is affixed to a wrist strap.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the display device is affixed to a belt.