Energy transfer amplification for intrabody devices

• US 8,391,953 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Govari, Assaf, Levin, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Tse
• Assistant Examiner(s): IP, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US12/574,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20100023093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/424, 600/430, 600/431, 600/433, 600/434, 600/435, 600/13, 600/14, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3975 active
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3429 with an integral peripheral collar or flange, e.g. oriented away from the shell centre line
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3611 Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Apparatus for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject includes a power transmitter, which is adapted to generate, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit. A passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field is placed in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.

Claims

1. An invasive medical apparatus, comprising:

A catheter, having a distal end, configured to be inserted into a heart of a subject, the catheter comprising a wireless position sensor fixed adjacent to the distal end of the catheter to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a position of the catheter within the heart, the wireless position sensor comprising a power coil, a power circuit, and a sensing coil, where the power coil is configured to be driven inductively by a radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic field to provide operating energy to the wireless position sensor;

A signal processing unit external to the subject for determining position and orientation coordinates of the wireless position sensor based on the position signals transmitted by the power coil of the wireless position sensor;

A power transmitter configured to generate the RF electromagnetic field in a vicinity of the subject, and dependent upon the spatial position and orientation of the sensing coil, cause currents to flow in the sensing coil, where the power circuit converts the currents into position signals which are transmitted by the power coil to the signal processing unit;

A passive energy transfer amplifier configured to be placed on a part of the subject near the heart to enhance inductive driving of the power coil of the wireless position sensor, by amplifying the RF electromagnetic field and causing a greater current flow in the power coil of the wireless position sensor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passive energy transfer amplifier is adapted to be placed on a chest of the subject, adjacent to the heart.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises one or more electrodes for sensing electrical activity within the heart.