Transcutaneous power supply with optimal positioning for use with active implantable devices

• US 8,321,027 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medico, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medico, Inc.
• Inventors: Snichelotto, Eugenio, Mozzi, Aldo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US11/752,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,016 Days
• Field of Search: 607 60- 61, 607/65
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The transcutaneous power supply and/or recharger device of the present invention enables a precise centering of the device with a receiver coil in an implant. In one embodiment, the power supply device includes a plurality of satellite sensors or coils disposed around the transmitter coil. A voltage value detected in the receiver coil is transmitted to the power supply or recharger device via a telemetric channel and indicates the amount of power being transferred, and, therefore, the accuracy of the reciprocal positioning of the power supply terminal with the receiver coil.

Claims

1. A transcutaneous power supply for an implant having a receiver coil, the transcutaneous power supply comprising:

a transmitter coil external to a body;

three or more satellite sensors situated peripherally in relation to of the transmitter coil, the satellite sensors being adapted to receive a signal generated by the transmitter coil, the satellite sensors being further adapted to detect a change in the signal caused by a changing position of the transmitter coil in relation the receiver coil;

a control circuit electrically connected to the satellite sensors, the control circuit measuring the signal and comparing the signal to a baseline value; and

three or more indicators electrically connected to the control circuit;

a housing containing the transmitter coil, the satellite sensors, and the indicators,

wherein the control circuit causes changes in the indicators according to the change in the signal such to cause a visual indication of a direction to move the power supply to position the transmitter coil over the receiver coil for optimal power transmission.

2. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the transcutaneous power supply is a recharger for the implant.

3. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the sensors are positioned on an outer surface of the housing.

4. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 3, wherein the indicators are in equal number to the sensors, the indicators being arranged in coincident positions with the sensors.

5. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the visual indication is provided by a luminous indicator or a visual display.

6. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the satellite sensors comprise one or more electric coils.

7. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 6, wherein the one or more electric coils each have a ferro-magnetic core.

8. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a magnetic field.

9. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the satellite sensors are equidistant one from the other.

10. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the satellite sensors are equidistant from a center of the transmitter coil.

11. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 10, wherein the satellite sensors are positioned in a polygonal pattern.

12. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the transmitter coil and the satellite sensors are coplanar.

13. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor processing the signal such to determine the changes in the indicators.

14. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein at least one of the indicators comprises a display.

15. The transcutaneous power supply of claim 1, wherein the satellite sensors are adapted to telemetrically receive from the implant a measurement of a voltage at terminals of the receiver coil.