RF-energy modulation system through dynamic coil detuning
First Claim
1. A power reception circuit for regulating power received from a master device, comprising:
- a secondary antenna for receiving power and outputting a current;
a matching network configured to electrically cooperate with the secondary antenna to tune the power reception circuit to efficiently receive power from the master device; and
a control circuit connected to said antenna and said matching network, wherein said control circuit comprises either a current or temperature monitor and selectively tunes and detunes said power reception circuit in response to the current output by the secondary antenna or a temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RF-energy modulation system dynamically adjusts tuned receiving circuits within a plurality of slave devices, thereby regulating the level of power reception in each slave device. The slave devices receive power from a single master device, through coupling of a primary antenna in the master device with a secondary antenna in each slave device. The amount of the power received by each slave device is a function of the antenna separation distance, and is thus different at each slave device location. The RF-energy modulation system monitors the power requirements of the slave device within which the modulation system is included, and modulates the tuning of the secondary antenna to maintain the proper power reception level. Advantageously, such modulation controls the power reception by the slave device, versus dissipating energy already received by the slave device. In a preferred embodiment, the RF-energy modulation system controls the power received by a multiplicity of microstimulators implanted in a single patient.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power reception circuit for regulating power received from a master device, comprising:
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a secondary antenna for receiving power and outputting a current; a matching network configured to electrically cooperate with the secondary antenna to tune the power reception circuit to efficiently receive power from the master device; and a control circuit connected to said antenna and said matching network, wherein said control circuit comprises either a current or temperature monitor and selectively tunes and detunes said power reception circuit in response to the current output by the secondary antenna or a temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A power reception circuit for regulating power received from a master device, comprising:
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a secondary antenna; a matching network connected with the secondary antenna and configured to selectively tune the power reception circuit to efficiently receive power from the master device; and means for controlling the power reception circuit to retunably detune the power reception circuit; wherein the means for controlling the power reception circuit comprise at least one of a current or temperature monitor and are configured to detune the power reception circuit when the current or temperature produced by the slave device exceeds a first threshold, and to retune the power reception circuit when the current or temperature produced by the slave device is less than a second threshold.
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11. A power reception circuit for an implantable device, comprising:
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an antenna; a first node V1, wherein the antenna is electrically connected between the node V1 and a reference potential; a tuning element connected between the node V1 and the reference potential; a detuning means configured to selectively detune the power reception circuit; and a control circuit comprising at least one of a current or temperature monitor, wherein said control circuit is configured to selectively control the detuning means in response to either a current or temperature produced by the implantable device so as to maintain power received by the power reception circuit between a first power reception value and a second power reception value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling the amount of power transferred between a master device and a slave device, comprising:
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transmitting power from a primary antenna in the master device to a secondary antenna in the slave device; receiving the power with a power reception circuit comprising the secondary antenna; monitoring either a temperature or a current produced by the power reception circuit; and controlling the power reception circuit to maintain the temperature or current between a high threshold and a minimum threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification