Closed-loop, RF-coupled implanted medical device
First Claim
1. An implantable, closed-loop, electrically operated medical system comprising:
- (a) an implantable radio frequency (RF) receiver coupled to an implanted, electrically and autonomously operated medical device; and
, (b) an external RF transmitter which is used to supply said implanted medical device with electrical power;
said receiver having a RF power receiving antenna, electronic circuitry coupled to said receiving antenna and including means for converting said received RF power into a D.C. voltage, a microcontroller having output and input means, a non-volatile memory coupled to said microcontroller, high/low voltage sensing means coupled to said microcontroller, means for up-linking commands to said transmitter to decrease or leave as is, said transmitted RF power, said implanted medical device being coupled to said output means of said microcontroller; and
said transmitter having a power source, a RF power transmitting antenna, means for detecting and decoding commands up-linked by said receiver, and means for regulating said transmitted RF power level in response to said up-linked signals whereby, RF energy or power can be transmitted by said transmitter and coupled into said receiver where it is used exclusively to power said implanted medical device and the level of RF power transmitted by said transmitter is controlled by the level of voltage detected by said high/low voltage sensing means of said receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The implantable, electrically operated medical device system comprises an implantable radio frequency (RF) receiver and an external RF transmitter. The receiver has a receiving antenna and electronic circuitry coupled to the receiving antenna and includes a microcontroller having an output, a non-volatile memory coupled to the microcontroller and an implanted, electrically and autonomously operated medical device is coupled to the output of the microcontroller. The external RF transmitter has a power source and a transmitting antenna. The receiver further includes circuitry coupled to the microcontroller for regulating the power transmitted by the transmitter, whereby, RF energy can be transmitted by the transmitter and coupled into the receiver and the level of RF energy transmitted by the transmitter is controlled by the circuitry. The transmitter is also used to: a) program into the memory of the implanted device (receiver) its operating values; b) start and stop delivery of medical therapy by the implanted device, c) interrogate the operating values of the implanted device, and d) interrogate physiological parameters which are measured by the implanted device.
712 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An implantable, closed-loop, electrically operated medical system comprising:
- (a) an implantable radio frequency (RF) receiver coupled to an implanted, electrically and autonomously operated medical device; and
, (b) an external RF transmitter which is used to supply said implanted medical device with electrical power;
said receiver having a RF power receiving antenna, electronic circuitry coupled to said receiving antenna and including means for converting said received RF power into a D.C. voltage, a microcontroller having output and input means, a non-volatile memory coupled to said microcontroller, high/low voltage sensing means coupled to said microcontroller, means for up-linking commands to said transmitter to decrease or leave as is, said transmitted RF power, said implanted medical device being coupled to said output means of said microcontroller; and
said transmitter having a power source, a RF power transmitting antenna, means for detecting and decoding commands up-linked by said receiver, and means for regulating said transmitted RF power level in response to said up-linked signals whereby, RF energy or power can be transmitted by said transmitter and coupled into said receiver where it is used exclusively to power said implanted medical device and the level of RF power transmitted by said transmitter is controlled by the level of voltage detected by said high/low voltage sensing means of said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- (a) an implantable radio frequency (RF) receiver coupled to an implanted, electrically and autonomously operated medical device; and
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22. An implantable medical device system comprising an implantable medical device, an implantable receiver coupled to and associated with said medical device and a transmitter;
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said transmitter having means for transmitting a burst of RF energy to said implanted receiver; said transmitter having means for receiving information from said implanted receiver; said receiver having means for receiving said RF burst of energy from said transmitter and for using said burst of energy to supply an electrical signal to said implanted medical device; means for transmitting to said transmitter information regarding the amount of RF energy needed to supply adequate power to said receiver and means in said transmitter for adjusting the amount of RF energy transmitted to said receiver depending upon said information received from said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification