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Implantable medical devices, and methods of use therewith, that use a same coil for receiving both communication and power signals

  • US 9,795,788 B2
  • Filed: 05/30/2013
  • Issued: 10/24/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An implantable medical device (IMD) configured to operate in at least two different modes, the IMD comprising:

  • a coil including a first terminal, a second terminal and an intermediate tap between the first and second terminals;

    power circuitry coupled, during a charge or power mode, to the first and second terminals of the coil, and configured to at least one of charge a rechargeable battery or power therapy and/or diagnostic circuitry in dependence on a power signal received using the coil from a non-implantable device during the charge or power mode; and

    communication circuitry coupled, during a communication mode, to the first terminal and the intermediate tap of the coil, and configured to demodulate a communication signal received using the coil from a non-implantable device during the communication mode;

    wherein a first portion of the coil, which extends between the first and second terminals of the coil, is used for receiving the power signal during the charge or power mode;

    wherein a second portion of the coil, which extends between the first terminal and the intermediate tap of the coil, is used for receiving the communication signal during the communication mode;

    wherein the power circuitry includes a rectifier coupled, during the charge or power mode to the first and second terminals of the coil;

    further comprising a switch between the second terminal of the coil and an input terminal of the rectifier;

    wherein the switch is configured to couple the second terminal of the coil to the input terminal of the rectifier during the charge or power mode;

    wherein the switch is configured to decouple the second terminal of the coil from the input terminal of the rectifier during the communication mode, thereby preventing current from flowing through a third portion of the coil, which extends between the intermediate tap and the second terminal of the coil, during the communication mode; and

    wherein the switch, by decoupling the second terminal of the coil from the input terminal of the rectifier during the communication mode, reduces an inductance of the coil during the communication mode as compared to an inductance of the coil during the charge or power mode.

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