Apparatus and method for controlling energy delivery as a function of degree of coupling

• US 8,989,868 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Man & Science S.A.
• Original Assignee: Hyllio SA
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi, Scholz, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/041,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20140107732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 607/42, 607/60, 600/529
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0504 Subcutaneous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0514 Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 : of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 : Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 : adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 : adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36075 : Headache or migraine
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 : Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 : for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 : Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 : using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 : with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 : specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 : Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 : Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 : Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 : Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3727 : characterised by the modulation technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 : Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 : using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A device for delivering energy as a function of degree coupling may include an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject and at least one processor associated with the implant unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source. The device may further include a primary antenna associated with the at least one processor. The processor may be configured to determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit, and regulate delivery of power to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject;

at least one processor associated with the external unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source;

a primary antenna associated with the at least one processor; and

wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

communicate with an implant unit when the implant unit is implanted beneath skin of the subject;

determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit based on relative movement between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna; and

regulate delivery of power from the power source to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna includes a coil antenna.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the external unit includes a flexible substrate.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive physiological data via the implant unit and regulate delivery of power from the power source to the implant unit based on both the physiological data and the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein an upper limit of power delivered from the power source to the implant unit is determined according to an upper threshold associated with the implant unit.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a lower limit of power delivered from the power source to the implant unit is determined according to an efficacy threshold of the delivered power.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is configured to transmit power to the secondary antenna through radiofrequency transmission of an alternating current signal.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to regulate the delivered power by adjusting at least one of voltage, pulse rate, and current associated with the alternating current signal.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of capacitive coupling.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of radiofrequency coupling.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna includes a measure of inductive coupling.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna is indicative of a physiological condition.