Transcutaneous energy transfer module with integrated conversion circuitry

• US 8,862,232 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2013
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abiomed, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Abiomed, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Zarinetchi, Farhad, Bailey, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US13/941,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20130304158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 607/32, 607/33, 607/36, 607/60, 607/61
• US Class Current: 607/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

An implantable transcutaneous energy transfer device secondary coil module includes a housing, a secondary coil, power conditioning circuitry, and a low voltage, high power connector. The transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil is disposed outside the housing and is configured to receive a time-varying magnetic field provided by a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil, and to convert the time-varying magnetic field into a high voltage, alternating current electric signal within the coil. The power conditioning circuitry is mounted within the housing and is electrically coupled to the secondary coil. The power conditioning circuitry including electronics for converting the high voltage, alternating current electric signal from the secondary coil into a high power, low voltage direct current electric signal. The low voltage, high power connector electrically coupled to the power conditioning circuitry and extending outside the housing for connecting the secondary coil module to a power bus for delivering power to implanted devices.

Claims

1. An implantable transcutaneous energy transfer device, comprising:

a transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil comprising an inner winding and an outer winding, the secondary coil configured to inductively couple to a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil, said secondary coil having an electrical signal induced therein; and

electronic components disposed in a central region of the inner and outer windings and electrically coupled to the secondary coil, the electronic components for processing the electrical signal for powering implanted devices,

wherein the inner winding and outer winding are configured such that a magnetic field generated by the inner winding and a magnetic field generated by the outer winding when the electrical signal is induced in the secondary coil substantially cancel one another at the central region.

2. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer windings are configured to maintain a total inductive heat dissipation from the electronic components below about 150 milliwatts.

3. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 2, wherein inductive heat dissipation is maintained below about 150 milliwatts under operating conditions when the electrical signal has a voltage of greater than or equal to about 500 volts and a frequency greater than or equal to about 100 kHz.

4. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer windings are electrically connected such that the same electrical current flows in each of the inner and outer windings.

5. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 4, wherein the inner winding is counterwound relative to the outer winding.

6. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 1, wherein magnetic flux resulting from current flow in the outer winding induces a current in the inner winding and the current induced in the inner winding generates the magnetic field of the inner winding.

7. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 1, further comprising an inner housing disposed in the central region, wherein the electrical components are contained within the inner housing.

8. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 7, further comprising a heat distribution layer provided externally to the module and a thermally conductive medium providing thermal conduction between the inner housing and the heat distribution layer.

9. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 7, wherein the inner winding is adjacent the inner housing and disposed between the inner housing and the outer winding.

10. The module of claim 1, wherein the electronic components are configured to process the electrical signal to reduce a voltage thereof to about 20 volts.

11. The transcutaneous energy transfer device of claim 1, further comprising an implantable medical device electrically coupled to the electronic components.

12. A transcutaneous energy transfer system, comprising:

a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil adapted to be placed outside a patient;

a transcutaneous energy transfer device secondary coil module adapted to be implanted within the patient and to inductively couple to the primary coil, the secondary coil module comprising;

a transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil comprising an inner winding and an outer winding, the secondary coil having an electrical signal induced therein when the secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil; and

electronic components disposed in a central region of the inner and outer windings and electrically coupled to the secondary coil for processing the electrical signal,

wherein the inner winding and outer winding are configured such that a magnetic field generated by the inner winding and a magnetic field generated by the outer winding when the electrical signal is induced in the secondary coil substantially cancel one another at the central region; and

an implantable medical device electrically coupled to the electronic components for receiving power therefrom.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the inner and outer windings are configured to maintain a total inductive heat dissipation from the electronic components below about 150 milliwatts.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the implantable medical device is a blood pump.

15. A method for reducing inductive heating in a transcutaneous energy transfer system, comprising a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil adapted to be placed outside a patient, a transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil module adapted to be implanted within the patient and to inductively couple to the primary coil, the transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil module comprising a secondary coil and electronic components disposed in a central region of the secondary coil, the method comprising:

constructing the transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil as an inner winding and an outer winding, the secondary coil having an electrical signal induced therein when the secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil; and

selecting a diameter for the inner and outer windings and a number of turns for each winding such that magnetic fields in the central region substantially cancel each other.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising implanting the secondary module in a patient.