Charger alignment indicator with adjustable threshold
First Claim
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1. An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprising:
- a source of electrical power;
an alternating current (AC) coil configured for transcutaneously conveying electrical energy from the electrical power source to charge the implanted medical device;
a charge strength indicator configured for generating a user-discernible signal at a threshold; and
a processor configured for increasing the threshold if the medical device is implanted relatively deep, and decreasing the threshold if the medical device is implanted relatively shallow.
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Abstract
Electrical energy is transmitted to charge the implanted medical device, and an electrical parameter (e.g., a steady-state voltage) indicating a rate at which the implanted medical device is charged by the electrical energy is detected. A threshold (e.g., by modifying a stored threshold value) at which the charge strength indicator generates a user-discernible signal is adjusted based on the detected electrical parameter.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a source of electrical power; an alternating current (AC) coil configured for transcutaneously conveying electrical energy from the electrical power source to charge the implanted medical device; a charge strength indicator configured for generating a user-discernible signal at a threshold; and a processor configured for increasing the threshold if the medical device is implanted relatively deep, and decreasing the threshold if the medical device is implanted relatively shallow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a source of electrical power; an alternating current (AC) coil configured for transcutaneously conveying electrical energy from the electrical power source to charge the implanted medical device; a user interface configured for receiving a user prompt; a charge strength indicator configured for generating a user-discernible signal; and a processor configured for adjusting a threshold at which the charge strength indicator generates a user-discernible signal in response to the user prompt. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprising:
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a source of electrical power; an alternating current (AC) coil configured for transcutaneously conveying electrical energy from the electrical power source to charge the implanted medical device; a charge strength indicator configured for generating a user-discernible signal; a detector configured for detecting an electrical parameter during a series of discrete time periods; and a processor configured for determining the value of the detected electrical parameter indicating a most common charge rate during the discrete time periods, and adjusting a threshold at which the charge strength indicator generates the user-discernible signal based on the determined electrical parameter value. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification