Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices
First Claim
1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
- an external controller for contacting an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a controller transducer for transmitting an acoustic control signal into the patient'"'"'s body, and an energy source for powering the controller transducer; and
an implant for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, a switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and an acoustic implant transducer coupled to the switch, the implant transducer configured for receiving the control signal from the controller transducer, the switch being closed in response to the control signal to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, thereby activate the implant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient'"'"'s body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient'"'"'s skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient'"'"'s body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes a battery for providing electrical energy to operate the device, a processor for extracting data from acoustic signals received from the implant, and memory for storing the data. The device may include an interface for communicating with a recorder or computer, e.g., to transfer data from the implant and/or to receive instructions for controlling the implant. The device is secured to the patient'"'"'s skin for controlling, monitoring, or otherwise communicating with the implant, while allowing the patient to remain mobile.
542 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
-
an external controller for contacting an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a controller transducer for transmitting an acoustic control signal into the patient'"'"'s body, and an energy source for powering the controller transducer; and
an implant for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, a switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and an acoustic implant transducer coupled to the switch, the implant transducer configured for receiving the control signal from the controller transducer, the switch being closed in response to the control signal to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, thereby activate the implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for communicating with an implant located within a patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an acoustic implant transducer configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, the method comprising:
-
placing a portable communications device in contact with an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the communications device comprising one or more acoustic transducers configured for communicating using acousitc telemetry, and an energy source for providing electrical energy to operate the communications device; and
communicating with the implant using the one or more acoustic transducers to transmit one or more acoustic signals from the communications device to the implant, wherein upon receiving an acoustic signal, the acoustic implant transducer closes a switch to allow electrical energy to flow from an energy storage device to power the implant. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification