Inductive signal transfer in an implantable medical device
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a hermetically-sealed biocompatible unitary housing configured to be implanted in a recipient;
implant electronics positioned in the housing;
at least one trans-housing transformer configured to transfer electrical signals through the housing, wherein the at least one trans-housing transformer comprises;
a core entirely positioned in the housing and having first and second portions;
a plurality of secondary windings positioned within the housing and connected to the implant electronics, wherein the plurality of secondary windings are disposed around the second portion of the core; and
a plurality of primary windings positioned external to the housing and disposed around the first portion of the core such that varying current in the primary windings creates a varying magnetic flux in the core and a corresponding varying magnetic field through the secondary windings.
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Abstract
An implantable medical device having a hermetically-sealed biocompatible housing configured to be implanted in a recipient. The implantable medical device includes at least one trans-housing transformer configured to transfer electrical signals through the housing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a hermetically-sealed biocompatible unitary housing configured to be implanted in a recipient; implant electronics positioned in the housing; at least one trans-housing transformer configured to transfer electrical signals through the housing, wherein the at least one trans-housing transformer comprises; a core entirely positioned in the housing and having first and second portions; a plurality of secondary windings positioned within the housing and connected to the implant electronics, wherein the plurality of secondary windings are disposed around the second portion of the core; and a plurality of primary windings positioned external to the housing and disposed around the first portion of the core such that varying current in the primary windings creates a varying magnetic flux in the core and a corresponding varying magnetic field through the secondary windings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An implantable medical device comprising:
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an external coil configured to be worn by a recipient; a hermetically-sealed biocompatible unitary housing configured to be implanted in a recipient; implant electronics positioned in the housing; an implantable internal coil positioned external to the housing and configured to receive electrical signals transmitted by the external coil; and at least one trans-housing transformer having a first portion positioned outside of the housing and connected to the internal coil and a second portion positioned inside of the housing and connected to the implant electronics and configured to transfer the electrical signals received at the internal coil through the housing to the implant electronics, wherein the at least one trans-housing transformer comprises; a core entirely positioned in the housing and having first and second portions; a plurality of secondary windings forming the second portion of the at least one trans-housing transformer and disposed around the second portion of the core; and a plurality of primary windings forming the first portion of the at least one trans-housing transformer and disposed around the first portion of the core such that varying current in the primary windings creates a varying magnetic flux in the core and a corresponding varying magnetic field through the secondary windings. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implantable hearing prosthesis, comprising:
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a hermetically-sealed biocompatible unitary housing configured to be implanted in a recipient, wherein the housing comprises a main portion and a protrusion extending from the main portion, implant electronics positioned in the housing; at least one trans-housing transformer configured to transfer electrical signals through the housing, comprising; an elongate core positioned entirely within the housing, wherein a first portion of the elongate core is disposed in the protrusion and a second portion of the elongate core is positioned within the main portion, a plurality of secondary windings positioned within the housing around the second portion of the elongate core, and a plurality of primary windings positioned external to the housing disposed around the protrusion and the first portion of the core such that varying current in the primary windings creates a varying magnetic flux in the core and a corresponding varying magnetic field through the secondary windings; an implantable internal coil positioned external to the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of primary windings positioned external to the housing and configured to receive transcutaneous electrical signals transmitted by one or more devices positioned external to the recipient, wherein the trans-housing transformer is configured to transfer electrical signals received by the internal coil to the implant electronics positioned in the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification