Transcutaneous energy transfer coil with integrated radio frequency antenna
First Claim
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1. An implantable coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer system, comprising:
- a coil winding configured to inductively couple to a primary coil disposed external to a patient'"'"'s body, the coil winding adapted to produce an electric current in the presence of a time-varying magnetic field operating at a first frequency;
a ferrite core coupled to the coil winding, said ferrite core having a planar surface substantially parallel to the coil winding;
circuitry contained in the ferrite core and in electrical communication with the coil winding, the circuitry adapted to receive and condition the electric current produced in the coil winding; and
a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency, the RF antenna comprising a micro-strip patch antenna disposed on the planar surface of the ferrite core such that the micro-strip patch antenna is substantially parallel to a skin surface and is disposed between the skin surface and the ferrite core when the coil winding is implanted in the patient at a location just below the skin surface,wherein the ferrite core is configured to isolate said circuitry from the first and second frequencies.
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Abstract
Improved methods and devices for communicating via radio frequency (RF) in transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems is provided. In particular, an improved implantable coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system is provided having an integrated radio frequency (RF) antenna. Further, a method of communicating between an external device and an implanted device having a plurality of secondary coils with integrated RF antennas is also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implantable coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer system, comprising:
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a coil winding configured to inductively couple to a primary coil disposed external to a patient'"'"'s body, the coil winding adapted to produce an electric current in the presence of a time-varying magnetic field operating at a first frequency; a ferrite core coupled to the coil winding, said ferrite core having a planar surface substantially parallel to the coil winding; circuitry contained in the ferrite core and in electrical communication with the coil winding, the circuitry adapted to receive and condition the electric current produced in the coil winding; and a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency, the RF antenna comprising a micro-strip patch antenna disposed on the planar surface of the ferrite core such that the micro-strip patch antenna is substantially parallel to a skin surface and is disposed between the skin surface and the ferrite core when the coil winding is implanted in the patient at a location just below the skin surface, wherein the ferrite core is configured to isolate said circuitry from the first and second frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A transcutaneous energy transfer system, comprising:
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a secondary coil adapted for disposition in a patient at a location just below a skin surface, comprising; a coil winding adapted to receive transcutaneous energy at a TET operating frequency, the coil winding disposed around a ferrite core having a planar surface substantially parallel to the coil winding; and a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to operate at a RF operating frequency, the RF antenna comprising a micro-strip patch antenna disposed on the planar surface of the ferrite core such that the micro-strip patch antenna is substantially parallel to the skin surface and disposed between the skin surface and the ferrite core when the secondary coil is implanted in the patient; a primary coil configured to transmit transcutaneous energy to the secondary coil; and a controller, also adapted for disposition in a patient, comprising circuitry to direct electric current from the secondary coil to charge a storage device and/or power an implantable assist device, wherein the circuitry is disposed within the ferrite core and is isolated from the TET and RF operating frequencies thereby. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of communicating between an external device and an implanted device in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system comprising:
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scanning among a plurality of implanted secondary coils each having an integrated radio frequency (RF) antenna to determine which RF antenna has the best RF signal quality, wherein the integrated RF antenna comprises a micro-strip patch antenna disposed on a substantially planar surface of a ferrite core around which coil windings of the secondary coil are disposed such that the micro-strip patch antenna is substantially parallel to a skin surface and is disposed between the skin surface and the ferrite core when the secondary coil is implanted in a patient at a location just below the skin surface; selecting the RF antenna having the best RF signal quality for a communication exchange between the external device and the implanted device; and resuming scanning among the plurality of implanted secondary coils to determine whether an other RF antenna exhibits a better RF signal quality. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification