External power source having an adjustable magnetic core and method of use

• US 7,286,881 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Phillips, William C., Forsberg, John W., Peters, Charles E., Olson, David P., Schmeling, Andrew L., Schommer, Mark E., Elvidge, Michael J., McMullen, Michael J., Ahcan, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen; Kristen Droesch
• Application Number:
  US10/837,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

External power source, and system and method using such external power source, for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A primary coil is capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. A repositionable magnetic core associated with the primary coil is capable of being repositioned by a user of the external power source. An indicator is capable of providing the user with information relative to coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coil as a function of repositioning of the repositionable magnetic core.

Claims

1. A method of transcutaneous energy transfer to a medical device implanted in a patient having a secondary charging coil using an external power source having a primary coil and a magnetic core associated with said primary coil, comprising the steps of:

positioning said primary coil externally of said patient in proximity of said secondary coil;

then repositioning said magnetic core relative to said primary coil;

receiving indication of coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil; and

stopping said repositioning step as a function of said receiving step.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said primary coil and said magnetic core are contained in a housing and a non-magnetic retainer holds said magnetic core in said housing.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

5. A method of charging a rechargeable power source of a medical device implanted in a patient, having a secondary charging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source, using an external charger having a primary charging coil and a magnetic core associated with said primary charging coil, comprising the steps of:

positioning said primary charging coil externally of said patient in proximity of said secondary charging coil;

then repositioning said magnetic core relative to said primary coil;

receiving indication of coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil; and

stopping said repositioning step as a function of said receiving step.

6. A method as in claim 5 further comprising the step of affixing said primary coil to said patient.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said primary coil and said magnetic core are contained in a housing and wherein a non-magnetic retainer holds said magnetic core in said housing.

8. A method as in claim 6 wherein said magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

9. A method as in claim 6 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

10. An external power source for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry, comprising:

a primary coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a repositionable magnetic core associated with said primary coil being laterally repositionable with respect to an axis of said primary coil by a user of said external power source; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of repositioning of said repositionable magnetic core.

11. An external power source as in claim 10 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said repositionable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

12. An external power source as in claim 10 wherein said repositionable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

13. An external power source as in claim 10 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

14. A charger for an implantable medical device having a rechargeable power source and a secondary charging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source, comprising:

a primary charging coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a repositionable magnetic core associated with said primary coil being laterally repositionable with respect to an axis of said primary coil by a user of said charger; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of repositioning of said repositionable magnetic core.

15. A charger as in claim 14 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said repositionable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

16. A charger as in claim 14 wherein said repositionable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

17. A charger as in claim 14 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

18. An external power source for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry, comprising:

a primary coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a rotatable magnetic core placed off-center with respect to said primary coil and rotatable by a user of said external power source; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of rotating of said rotatable magnetic core.

19. An external power source as in claim 18 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said rotatable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

20. An external power source as in claim 18 wherein said rotatable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

21. An external power source as in claim 18 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

22. A system for transcutaneous energy transfer, comprising:

an implantable medical device, comprising;

a therapeutic componentry; and

a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry; and

an external power source, comprising;

a primary coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a repositionable magnetic core associated with said primary coil being laterally repositionable with respect to an axis of said primary coil by a user of said system; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of repositioning of said repositionable magnetic core.

23. A system as in claim 22 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said repositionable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

24. A system as in claim 22 wherein said repositionable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

25. A system as in claim 22 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

26. A system for charging, comprising:

an implantable medical device, comprising;

a rechargeable power source; and

a secondary charging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source; and

an external charger, comprising;

a primary charging coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a repositionable magnetic core associated with said primary coil being laterally repositionable with respect to an axis of said primary coil by a user of said charger; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of repositioning of said repositionable magnetic core.

27. A system as in claim 26 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said repositionable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

28. A system as in claim 26 wherein said repositionable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

29. A system as in claim 26 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.

30. A system for charging, comprising:

an implantable medical device, comprising;

therapeutic componentry; and

a secondary charging coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry; and

an external power source, comprising;

a primary coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;

a rotatable magnetic core placed off-center inside said primary coil rotatable by a user of said system; and

an indicator providing said user with information relative to coupling between said primary coil and said secondary coil as a function of rotating of said rotatable magnetic core.

31. A system as in claim 30 further comprising:

a housing containing said primary coil and said rotatable magnetic core; and

a non-magnetic retainer holding said magnetic core in said housing.

32. A system as in claim 30 wherein said rotatable magnetic core comprises a circular ferrite disc, having a thickness, positioned inside said primary coil and an off-center ferrite post having a thickness greater than said thickness of said circular ferrite disc.

33. A system as in claim 30 wherein said magnetic core is a ferrite core.