Implantable battery monitoring means and method
First Claim
1. In combination:
- an implantable device having a battery contained therein;
a load means for drawing current from said battery;
first means for providing a first voltage related to the output voltage of said battery;
second means for periodically applying said load means to said battery, thereby generating a second voltage related to said loaded battery output voltage;
comparison means responsive to said first and second voltages for generating an output signal having a predetermined characteristic when said first and second voltages have a predetermined relationship with respect to each other, said output signal being related to the internal impedance of said battery; and
third means responsive to said output signal for indicating that said predetermined characteristic is present.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring the status of a battery in an implantable device for a human, the device being a tissue stimulator, drug dispensing apparatus, or the like. More specifically, a battery monitoring apparatus is disclosed whereby a user is sensually stimulated whenever an implanted battery exhibits predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the internal resistance of a battery is periodically monitored by loading the battery at predetermined intervals. When the internal resistance exhibits a predetermined characteristic, a battery alarm circuit is activated which causes a small voltage differential to be applied under and across the skin of the user, thereby creating a mildly tingling sensation in his skin. This tingling sensation alerts the user that the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. A magnet is provided for externally disabling the monitoring apparatus after the user has been alerted that the battery needs replacement. In a further embodiment, the alarm circuitry activates an audio signal generator which provides an audibly detectable beep when the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. In a still further embodiment, the battery output voltage is compared to a predetermined reference voltage source within the implantable device. The user is sensually stimulated whenever the battery output voltage, or a voltage related to the battery output voltage, drops below the predetermined reference voltage.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. In combination:
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an implantable device having a battery contained therein; a load means for drawing current from said battery; first means for providing a first voltage related to the output voltage of said battery; second means for periodically applying said load means to said battery, thereby generating a second voltage related to said loaded battery output voltage; comparison means responsive to said first and second voltages for generating an output signal having a predetermined characteristic when said first and second voltages have a predetermined relationship with respect to each other, said output signal being related to the internal impedance of said battery; and third means responsive to said output signal for indicating that said predetermined characteristic is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In combination:
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an implantable device having a battery contained therein; a voltage comparator having first and second voltage signal inputs and a predetermined output voltage when said second signal is greater than said first signal; means for providing a voltage related to the output voltage of said battery to said voltage comparator first signal input; a reference voltage source; means for periodically applying said reference voltage to said voltage comparator second signal input, thereby resulting in said voltage comparator providing said predetermined output voltage when said reference voltage is greater than said first voltage signal input; and means responsive to said predetermined output voltage for indicating said reference voltage is greater than said first voltage signal input. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In combination:
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an implantable device having a self-contained battery; a load means for drawing current from said battery; means for connecting said load means across said battery at predetermined time intervals; means for generating an output signal related to a decrease in battery output voltage when said load means is connected across said battery; and means responsive to said output signal for indicating when said battery output voltage is at a predetermined level that is lower than said battery unloaded output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. In combination:
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an implantable device having a self-contained battery; a reference voltage source; means for providing a first voltage related to said battery output voltage; comparison means for comparing said first voltage to said reference voltage; and alarm means responsive to said comparison means for sensually stimulating a user of said implantable device. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method for monitoring the status of a battery in an implantable device comprising the steps of:
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providing a first voltage related to the output voltage of said battery; periodically applying a load to said battery, thereby generating a second voltage related to said loaded battery output voltage; generating in response to said accessing and periodically applying steps an output signal having a predetermined characteristic when said first and second voltages have a predetermined relationship with respect to each other, said output signal being related to the internal impedance of said battery; and developing an alarm signal in response to said output signal for alerting a user that said first and second voltages have said predetermined relationship with respect to each other.
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Specification