Transcutaneous power conveyance device

• US 9,855,032 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2013
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Original Assignee: Nyxoah SA
• Inventors: Mashiach, Adi, Ruytjens, Tim, Mashiach, Itzik
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Piateski, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US14/059,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20140052219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 607 61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• 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 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• 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 1/36189 using modulation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device for conveying power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject The device may include a flexible carrier, an adhesive on a first side of the carrier, a coil of electrically conductive material associated with the flexible carrier, and a mechanical connector extending from a second side of the carrier opposite the adhesive. The mechanical connector may be configured to be received by and retained by a receiver associated with a housing configured for mounting on the carrier.

Claims

1. A device for treating sleep apnea by conveying power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject, the device comprising:

a flexible carrier shaped to facilitate placement between a chin and a neck of the subject adjacent to an internal location of branched fibers of a hypoglossal nerve;

an adhesive on a first side of the flexible carrier;

at least one flexible coil of electrically conductive material arranged on the first side of the flexible carrier between the adhesive and the flexible carrier, the at least one flexible coil being configured for use in transmitting power to an implant located to modulate the branched fibers of the hypoglossal nerve, the at least one flexible coil having a plurality of windings; and

a mechanical connector extending from a second side of the carrier opposite the adhesive, wherein the mechanical connector is configured to be received by and detachably retained by a receiver located on a housing configured for mounting on the flexible carrier,

wherein

the mechanical connector is further configured to maintain electrical contact between a power supply of the housing and the at least one flexible coil located on the flexible carrier to enable powering the implant, and

the at least one flexible coil is further configured to transmit power to an implant located to modulate terminal fibers of the hypoglossal nerve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein electrical contact is maintained using at least one electrical connector associated with the flexible carrier.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is retained in a manner in which at least a portion of a sidewall and a top of the housing is exposed when mounted to the flexible carrier.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector is a rod like element.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes an opening into which the mechanical connector extends.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector includes a detent portion.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector includes a bayonet connection including extending arms configured with receptor slots disposed thereon.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector includes flexible arms.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is disposed on a portion of a perimeter of the housing.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector includes a plurality of extension arms, the receiver includes a plurality of recesses, and the extension arms are configured to be inserted into the recesses and to securely engage the housing when it is rotated with respect to the extension arms.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connector is configured to break upon removal from the electronics housing.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an exposed electrical portion electrically connected to the at least one flexible coil of electrically conductive material, wherein the mechanical connector is configured to maintain contact between an electrical connector of the housing and the exposed electrical portion when received by the electronics housing.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the mechanical connector is adapted to permit relative rotation between the housing and the flexible carrier, and

the exposed electrical portion is adapted to maintain contact between the electrical connector of the housing and the exposed electrical portion during rotation of the housing.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the exposed electrical portion includes two electrodes arranged as concentric circles.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the at least one flexible coil is arranged on the second side of the flexible carrier.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible coil of electrically conductive material is elliptically shaped.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of windings creates a pattern that spirals inwardly.

18. A device for treating sleep apnea by conveying power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject, the device comprising:

a flexible carrier shaped to facilitate placement between a chin and a neck of the subject adjacent to an internal location of branched fibers of a hypoglossal nerve;

an adhesive on a first side of the flexible carrier;

at least one flexible coil of electrically conductive material arranged on the first side of the flexible carrier between the adhesive and the flexible carrier, the at least one flexible coil being configured for use in transmitting power to an implant located to modulate the branched fibers of the hypoglossal nerve, the at least one flexible coil having a plurality of windings, wherein the at least one flexible coil is further configured for use in transmitting power to an implant located to modulate terminal fibers of the hypoglossal nerve from a location spaced apart from the terminal fibers; and

a mechanical connector extending from a second side of the carrier opposite the adhesive, wherein the mechanical connector is configured to be received by and retained by a receiver associated with a housing configured for mounting on the carrier.