Rechargeable tissue stimulating system
First Claim
1. A rechargeable tissue stimulating system comprising:
- means for implantation in the body of a living subject for applying electrical pulses to stimulate living tissue in order to maintain bodily functions of said subject, said means including a rechargeable DC voltage source supplying the power for said pulses;
internal charging means for implantation beneath the skin of said subject and connected to said source for providing a charging current to said voltage source, said internal charging means including a first induction coil;
an external means for supplying power by induction to said internal charging means and including a second induction coil for setting up a magnetic field and for positioning external to a living subject and proximate to said first induction coil;
telemetry means connected to said internal charging means for detecting the magnitude of said charging current received by said DC voltage source and providing a magnetic output signal to said external power source indicative of the magnitude of said charging current; and
transducer means forming a part of said external means for supplying power for converting said magnetic output signal to an electrical signal, and including current control means responsive to said electrical signal for adjusting the strength of the magnetic field applied to said internal charging means in response to changes in said electrical signal, such that the magnitude of said charging current is maintained within predetermined limits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rechargeable tissue stimulating system with a telemetry controlled power source. A constant current power source acting through an induction coil externally located with respect to a living patient is used to induce current flow in a charging circuit located beneath the skin of the patient. The charging circuit, in turn, recharges a battery which powers an electronic generator used for applying electrical pulses to stimulate living tissue in order to maintain bodily functions in the patient. A telemetry circuit connected to the charging circuit provides a magnetic output signal controlling externally located means associated with the power source. Such external means in response to this signal modulate the strength of the charging magnetic field, as well as provide visual or audio indication of proper charging as well as the proper positioning of the external power source with respect to the implanted charging circuit, completion of the proper charging interval to restore the amount of current used, and improper charging.
433 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A rechargeable tissue stimulating system comprising:
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means for implantation in the body of a living subject for applying electrical pulses to stimulate living tissue in order to maintain bodily functions of said subject, said means including a rechargeable DC voltage source supplying the power for said pulses; internal charging means for implantation beneath the skin of said subject and connected to said source for providing a charging current to said voltage source, said internal charging means including a first induction coil; an external means for supplying power by induction to said internal charging means and including a second induction coil for setting up a magnetic field and for positioning external to a living subject and proximate to said first induction coil; telemetry means connected to said internal charging means for detecting the magnitude of said charging current received by said DC voltage source and providing a magnetic output signal to said external power source indicative of the magnitude of said charging current; and transducer means forming a part of said external means for supplying power for converting said magnetic output signal to an electrical signal, and including current control means responsive to said electrical signal for adjusting the strength of the magnetic field applied to said internal charging means in response to changes in said electrical signal, such that the magnitude of said charging current is maintained within predetermined limits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A rechargeable cardiac pacing system for maintaining stimulating pulses to the heart of a patient comprising:
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means for positioning beneath the skin of a patient for applying stimulating pulses to the heart of the patients, including a rechargeable DC voltage source, and catheter means, said catheter means including electrodes connected to said pulse generating circuits; means for internal positioning beneath the skin of a patient for recharging said DC voltage source and including a first induction coil; an external means for supplying power by induction to said internal recharging means, said external means including a second induction coil for external positioning with respect to the patient proximate to the first induction coil; telemetry means connected to said internal recharging means for detecting the magnitude of a charging current received by said DC voltage source, and for providing a magnetic output signal indicative thereof; timing means responsive to said magnetic output signal and including means for storing a signal indicative of time elapsed during which the magnetic output signal indicates that the charging current is at least as great as a predetermined minimum operating level. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification