Zinc air battery and its uses
First Claim
1. A system for stimulating at least one neural pathway within a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said system comprises:
- a first power consuming circuitry portion suitable for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said first power consuming circuitry portion is coupled to at least one neural pathway within the patient'"'"'s body and said first power consuming circuitry portion is responsive to externally provided control information;
a second power consuming circuitry portion adapted to be externally carried by the patient, wherein said second power consuming circuitry portion periodically provides said control information to said first power consuming circuitry portion;
a zinc-air battery contained within a prismatic-shaped housing, said zinc-air battery comprising a primary power source for said second power consuming circuitry portion, wherein said primary power source has an energy density within the range of 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc;
means for allowing air flow through said prismatic-shaped housing of said zinc-air battery;
an external casing for containing said second power consuming circuitry portion and said zinc-air battery within said prismatic-shaped housing; and
wherein said casing and said prismatic-shaped housing include means for slidably coupling said prismatic-shaped housing to said casing and means for slidably decoupling said prismatic-shaped housing from said casing to enable disposal of said zinc-air battery when its stored energy has been depleted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method for increasing the airflow to a zinc-air battery such that the energy density is 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc. This allows 8 to 16 hours use as a primary (throw-away) battery, with, for example, high-duty cycle, high-drain cochlear implants, and neuromuscular stimulators for nerves, muscles, and both nerves and muscles together. The systems incorporating the high energy density source are also part of the invention, as well as the resulting apparatus of the method. The uses of this inexpensive, i.e., a $1.00 per day, throw-away primary battery are new uses of the modified zinc-air battery and are directed toward helping people hear again, walk again, and regain body functionality which they have otherwise lost permanently.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for stimulating at least one neural pathway within a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said system comprises:
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a first power consuming circuitry portion suitable for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said first power consuming circuitry portion is coupled to at least one neural pathway within the patient'"'"'s body and said first power consuming circuitry portion is responsive to externally provided control information;
a second power consuming circuitry portion adapted to be externally carried by the patient, wherein said second power consuming circuitry portion periodically provides said control information to said first power consuming circuitry portion;
a zinc-air battery contained within a prismatic-shaped housing, said zinc-air battery comprising a primary power source for said second power consuming circuitry portion, wherein said primary power source has an energy density within the range of 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc;
means for allowing air flow through said prismatic-shaped housing of said zinc-air battery;
an external casing for containing said second power consuming circuitry portion and said zinc-air battery within said prismatic-shaped housing; and
whereinsaid casing and said prismatic-shaped housing include means for slidably coupling said prismatic-shaped housing to said casing and means for slidably decoupling said prismatic-shaped housing from said casing to enable disposal of said zinc-air battery when its stored energy has been depleted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for stimulating tissue within a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said system comprises:
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a biological tissue stimulator having at least a portion of its circuitry adapted to be externally carried by the patient;
a zinc-air battery contained within a prismatic-shaped housing, said zinc-air battery comprising a primary power source for said externally carried circuitry portion, wherein said primary power source has an energy density within the range of 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc;
means for allowing air flow through said prismatic-shaped housing of said zinc-air battery;
an external casing for containing said circuitry portion and said zinc-air battery within said prismatic-shaped housing; and
whereinsaid casing and said prismatic-shaped housing include means for slidably coupling said prismatic-shaped housing to said casing and means for slidably decoupling said prismatic-shaped housing from said casing to enable disposal of said zinc-air battery when its stored energy has been depleted. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification