Photovoltaic powered charging apparatus for implanted rechargeable batteries
First Claim
1. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
- a head covering; and
a charging unit located on said head covering, said charging unit comprising;
at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering;
a nonphotovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering;
a sending coil mounted to said head covering for inductively coupling to an implanted secondary coil; and
a charge controller mounted on said head covering and connected to said at least one photovoltaic cell, said nonphotovoltaic cell, and said sending coil for coupling charging current from said at least one photovoltaic cell or from said nonphotovoltaic cell to said sending coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic powered charging unit is mounted in a head covering, such as a cap or hat, for a patient who has an inductively chargeable medical device implanted in his head. The implanted device includes an implanted battery which powers the device. The photovoltaic cells provide continuous charging for the implanted battery and power for the implanted device when subjected to light. The charging unit includes a nonphotovoltaic cell that may be used to charge the implanted battery and power the implanted device in the absence of sufficient power from the photovoltaic cells. The cap has a sending coil located so that when the wearer dons the cap, the sending coil aligns with a receiving coil implanted in the patient'"'"'s skull or brain. The implanted receiving coil is coupled to provide charging current to the implanted battery and power to the implanted device.
179 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
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a head covering; and a charging unit located on said head covering, said charging unit comprising; at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering; a nonphotovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering; a sending coil mounted to said head covering for inductively coupling to an implanted secondary coil; and a charge controller mounted on said head covering and connected to said at least one photovoltaic cell, said nonphotovoltaic cell, and said sending coil for coupling charging current from said at least one photovoltaic cell or from said nonphotovoltaic cell to said sending coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A rechargeable power source comprising:
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a battery-powered device implanted within the head of a person, a battery connected to said battery-powered device and implanted within the head of said person, and a receiving coil connected to said battery for providing charging current to said battery, said receiving coil implanted in said head of said person; and a battery charging apparatus comprising; a head covering; and a charging unit located on said head covering, said charging unit comprising; at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering; and a sending coil mounted to said head covering for being aligned with said receiving coil, said sending coil electrically coupled to said at least one photovoltaic cell for inductively coupling power collected by said at least one photovoltaic cell to said receiving coil. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for recharging an implanted battery using a head covering having a charging unit located thereon, said charging unit comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on said head covering; and a sending coil mounted to said head covering for inductively coupling to an implanted receiving coil, said sending coil electrically coupled to said plurality of photovoltaic cells; the method comprising the steps of; disposing the head covering to align the sending coil with a location of the implanted receiving coil; exposing the head covering to light; coupling power generated by the plurality of photovoltaic cells from the sending coil to the receiving coil; and coupling current for recharging the implanted battery from the receiving coil to the implanted battery. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A combination for providing power to an implanted device, comprising
a head cover; -
a sending coil mounted to said head cover for alignment with an implanted receiving coil; a plurality of photovoltaic cells on said head cover; a nonphotovoltaic cell on said head cover; means for receiving power from a source off of said head cover; and a charge controller on said head cover and connected to said sending coil, said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, and said means to select one of said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, or said means to provide a charging current for the sending coil.
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23. A combination for providing power through skin, comprising
an implantable device with a receiving coil, a rechargeable battery, and a power management system connected to said receiving coil and said battery for selecting said receiving coil or said battery for providing to said implantable device and for coupling a charging current from said receiving coil to said battery; - and
a charging unit with a head cover, a sending coil mounted to said head cover for alignment with said receiving coil, a plurality of photovoltaic cells on said head cover, a nonphotovoltaic cell on said head cover, means for receiving power from a source off of said head cover, and a charge controller on said head cover and connected to said sending coil, said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, and said means to select one of said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, or said means to provide a charging current for said sending coil.
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Specification