Pressure-sensitive external charger for an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. An external device for wirelessly transmitting energy to an implantable medical device, comprising:
- a case;
at least one pressure sensor for sensing a pressure impingent on the case; and
detection circuitry coupled to the at least one pressure sensor for reducing the energy wirelessly transmitted to the implantable medical device as the sensed impingent pressure increases.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved external charger for an implantable medical device is disclosed in which charging is at least partially controlled based on a sensed pressure impingent on its case, which pressure is indicative of the pressure between the external charger and a patient'"'"'s tissue. The improved external charger includes pressure detection circuitry coupled to one or more pressure sensors for controlling the external device in accordance with the sensed impingent pressure. The sensed pressure can be used to control charging, for example, by suspending charging, by adjusting a maximum set point temperature for the external charger based on the measured pressure, or by issuing an alert via a suitable user interface. By so controlling the external charger on the basis of the measured pressure, the external charger is less likely to create potentially problematic or uncomfortable conditions for the user.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An external device for wirelessly transmitting energy to an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a case; at least one pressure sensor for sensing a pressure impingent on the case; and detection circuitry coupled to the at least one pressure sensor for reducing the energy wirelessly transmitted to the implantable medical device as the sensed impingent pressure increases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An external device for providing power to an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a hand-held case comprising at least two case portions; a coil for wirelessly transmitting power to an implantable medical device, wherein the power is used to charge a battery in the implantable medical device; at least one pressure sensor for sensing a pressure impingent on the at least two case portions; and detection circuitry coupled to the at least one pressure sensor for reducing the power wirelessly transmitted to the implantable medical device as the sensed impingent pressure increases. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An external charger for wirelessly providing power to an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a case; a coil within the case for wirelessly transmitting power to an implantable medical device; at least one pressure sensor for sensing a pressure impingent on the case; and detection circuitry coupled to the at least one pressure sensor for controlling a temperature of the external charger inversely with the sensed impingent pressure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification