Systems and method for communicating with implantable devices
First Claim
1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
- an external controller for placement adjacent to an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a controller transducer for transmitting an acoustic control signal including one or more commands into the patient'"'"'s body and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to operate the external controller; and
one or more implants for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, at least one implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing the 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 acoustic control signal from the controller transducer to activate the switch between a first state, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit, and a second state, in which current flows from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit.
2 Assignments
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.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:
-
an external controller for placement adjacent to an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a controller transducer for transmitting an acoustic control signal including one or more commands into the patient'"'"'s body and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to operate the external controller; and one or more implants for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, at least one implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing the 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 acoustic control signal from the controller transducer to activate the switch between a first state, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit, and a second state, in which current flows from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus for communicating with an implant located within a patient'"'"'s body, the implant including one or more acoustic transducers configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, comprising:
-
one or more acoustic transducers for placement in contact with an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body; a controller coupled to the one or more acoustic transducers such that the one or more acoustic transducers are configured for at least one of transmitting acoustic signals to and receiving acoustic signals from within the patient'"'"'s body to communicate with the implant; an interface configured for wirelessly communicating data between the controller and a device separate from the controller; an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to at least one of the controller and the one or more acoustic transducers; and an external charger configured for placement against an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the charger comprising a source of electrical energy, and an acoustic transducer for converting electrical energy from the source of electrical energy into acoustic energy and transmitting the acoustic energy into the patient'"'"'s body for energizing an energy storage device in the implant. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for communicating with one or more implants located within a patient'"'"'s body, at least one implant comprising an acoustic implant transducer configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, the method comprising:
-
placing a portable communications device adjacent to an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the communications device comprising one or more acoustic transducers, and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to operate the communications device; transmitting an acoustic control signal into the patient'"'"'s body and communicating with the at least one implant using the one or more acoustic transducers, the acoustic control signal adapted to activate a switch, said switch being coupled to the acoustic implant transducer and an energy storage device of the at least one implant, wherein the switch is configured to actuate the at least one implant between a sleep mode, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit, and an active mode, in which current flows from the energy storage device of the at least one implant to the electrical circuit; and wherein communicating with the at least one implant includes transmitting one or more acoustic signals from the communications device into the patient'"'"'s body, the one or more acoustic signals including a command for controlling an operation of the at least one implant. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification