Medical device recharge systems using a controller in wireless communication with a separate recharge device
First Claim
1. A method of recharging an implantable medical device, comprising:
- sensing by a controller device the presence of a first recharge device relative to the controller device where the first recharge device is separately enclosed from the controller device; and
in response to sensing the presence of the first recharge device relative to the controller device, automatically without user input instructing by the controller device the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy from the first recharge device to the implantable medical device wherein the implantable medical device is separately enclosed from the controller device and the first recharge device.
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Abstract
Medical device recharging systems include a controller and a separate recharge device that communicate wirelessly together to provide recharging to an implantable medical device. Either the controller or the recharge device may also communicate wirelessly with the implantable medical device to obtain recharge status and other information. There may be multiple recharge devices present within communication range of the controller, and the controller may determine which recharge device to activate depending upon proximity of each recharge device to the implantable medical device. The controller may allow the recharge device that is active at any given time to change so that the patient having the implantable medical device can move about in the area where the recharge devices are located while recharging continues.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of recharging an implantable medical device, comprising:
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sensing by a controller device the presence of a first recharge device relative to the controller device where the first recharge device is separately enclosed from the controller device; and in response to sensing the presence of the first recharge device relative to the controller device, automatically without user input instructing by the controller device the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy from the first recharge device to the implantable medical device wherein the implantable medical device is separately enclosed from the controller device and the first recharge device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A medical system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device; a first recharge device that is distinct from the implantable medical device; and a controller that is separately enclosed from the implantable medical device and that is separately enclosed from the first recharge device, wherein the controller senses the presence of the first recharge device relative to the controller and in response to sensing the presence of the first recharge device relative to the controller, automatically without user input instructs the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy from the first recharge device to the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of recharging an implantable medical device, comprising:
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sensing by a controller device the presence of a first recharge device; in response to sensing the presence of the first recharge device, instructing by the controller device the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy from the first recharge device to the implantable medical device; prior to instructing the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy, sensing the presence of a second recharge device; detecting which of the first recharge device and second recharge device is in closer proximity to the implantable medical device; and when detecting that the first recharge device is in closer proximity to the implantable medical device, then communicating with the first recharge device to continue the transfer of energy to the implantable medical device.
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20. A medical system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device; a first recharge device; and a controller, wherein the controller senses the presence of the first recharge device and in response to sensing the presence of the first recharge device, instructs the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy from the first recharge device to the implantable medical device, wherein prior to instructing the first recharge device to begin the transfer of recharge energy, the controller senses the presence of a second recharge device, detects which of the first recharge device and second recharge device is in closer proximity to the implantable medical device, and upon detecting that the first recharge device is in closer proximity to the implantable medical device, instructs the first recharge device to transfer recharge energy to the implantable medical device.
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Specification