Implantable pulse generators using rechargeable zero-volt technology lithium-ion batteries
First Claim
1. An implantable medical system comprising:
- an implantable medical device housed in an hermetically-sealed case;
electronic circuitry housed in said sealed case that performs a desired circuit function;
a first rechargeable battery housed within said sealed case that provides operating power for said electronic circuitry, wherein said first rechargeable battery comprises a lithium-ion battery configured to permit a discharge to zero volts without damage to the battery;
battery charging circuitry housed within said sealed case that includes a coil, a rectifier circuit coupled to the coil, and a charge controller circuit coupled to the rectifier circuit, wherein said battery charging circuitry is adapted to inductively receive power from an external source through said coil, rectify said received power with said rectifier circuit, and direct said rectified received power as controlled by said charge controller circuit to the first rechargeable battery for the purpose of recharging said battery;
battery protection circuitry housed within said sealed case that monitors and controls the manner in which the battery charging circuitry recharges said first rechargeable battery; and
an external charger, including a power source and a transmission circuit for transmitting power from the power source to the battery charging circuitry housed within the sealed case of the implantable medical device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Fast charging occurs at safer lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage above about 2.5 V), and slower charging occurs when the battery nears full charge higher battery voltages (e.g., above about 4.0 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.5 V), then very slow (trickle) charging occurs to bring the battery voltage back up to the safer voltage levels where more rapid charging can safely occur. The battery charging and protection circuitry also continuously monitors the battery voltage and current. If the battery operates outside of a predetermined range of voltage or current, the battery protection circuitry disconnects the battery from the particular fault, i.e. charging circuitry or load circuits.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implantable medical system comprising:
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an implantable medical device housed in an hermetically-sealed case;
electronic circuitry housed in said sealed case that performs a desired circuit function;
a first rechargeable battery housed within said sealed case that provides operating power for said electronic circuitry, wherein said first rechargeable battery comprises a lithium-ion battery configured to permit a discharge to zero volts without damage to the battery;
battery charging circuitry housed within said sealed case that includes a coil, a rectifier circuit coupled to the coil, and a charge controller circuit coupled to the rectifier circuit, wherein said battery charging circuitry is adapted to inductively receive power from an external source through said coil, rectify said received power with said rectifier circuit, and direct said rectified received power as controlled by said charge controller circuit to the first rechargeable battery for the purpose of recharging said battery;
battery protection circuitry housed within said sealed case that monitors and controls the manner in which the battery charging circuitry recharges said first rechargeable battery; and
an external charger, including a power source and a transmission circuit for transmitting power from the power source to the battery charging circuitry housed within the sealed case of the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An implantable medical system comprising:
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an implantable medical device housed in an hermetically-sealed case;
electronic circuitry housed in said sealed case that performs a desired circuit function;
a rechargeable battery housed within said sealed case that provides operating power for said electronic circuitry, wherein said rechargeable battery comprises a Lithium-ion battery configured to permit a discharge to zero volts without damage to the battery; and
battery charging and protection circuitry housed within said sealed case that includes means for inductively receiving power from an external source, means for monitoring the voltage across said rechargeable battery, and means for recharging said rechargeable battery with the power received from the external source at a rate controlled by the monitored voltage across the rechargeable battery;
an external charger having a power source and a transmission circuit for transmitting power from the power source to the battery charging and protection circuitry housed within the sealed case of the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An implantable medical system comprising:
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an implantable medical device housed in an hermetically-sealed case;
electronic circuitry housed in said sealed case that performs a desired circuit function;
a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery housed within said sealed case that provides operating power for said electronic circuitry, wherein said Lithium-ion rechargeable battery comprises a zero-volt technology Lithium-ion battery that includes an anode electrode substrate made from titanium or a titanium alloy, wherein the zero-volt technology Lithium-ion battery is configured to permit a discharge to zero volts without damage to the battery;
battery charging and protection circuitry housed within said sealed case that includes means for receiving power from an external source, means for monitoring the voltage across the zero-volt technology Lithium-ion battery, and means for recharging the zero-volt technology Lithium-ion battery with the power received from the external source at a recharging rate controlled by the monitored voltage across the zero-volt technology Lithium-ion battery; and
an external charger having a power source and a transmission circuit, wherein power from the power source is transmitted to the battery charging and protection circuitry housed within the implantable medical device through the transmission circuit.
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Specification