Wireless energy transfer system and wearables

• US 10,148,126 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine, Lind, Jeffrey R., McEachern, Ian Coll, Nguyen, John, Ignacio, Joanna M., Koneru, Chalan, Layton, John Curtis, Parks, Nicole L., Erickson, Leif A., Dubeau, Serge, Leugers, Martin A., Brown, Alex R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Sun
• Application Number:
  US15/252,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20170063143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/04 Vests, jerseys, sweaters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1245 for the upper part of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/205 Pockets adapted to receive a mobile phone or other electronic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/002 Free belts
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/025 Adjustable belts or girdles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/216 including a rotating member acting on the blood, e.g. impeller
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/875 specially adapted for optimising alignment of external and implantable coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/876 Implantable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for user interface (UI) hubs to connect multiple batteries and to output system information to a patient. Embodiments are further disclosed for garments and devices to be worn by a patient requiring treatment. The garments are configured for a desired placement of a transmitter coil relative to a body of the patient and for facilitating patient comfort and quality of life. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and the systems are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for wireless energy transfer for an implantable medical device, comprising:

a transmitter coil;

at least one battery for powering an implantable medical device; and

a garment to be worn by a patient requiring treatment, the garment comprising;

a body portion configured for wrapping around at least a thoracic region of a body of the patient; and

at least one pocket for holding and maintaining the transmitter coil at a desired location relative to the body of the patient.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hub assembly including a hub for attaching to the at least one battery and a wire for connecting the at least one battery to the transmitter coil.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the hub assembly further includes a user interface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the user interface is configured to display system information to the patient.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the garment includes a window corresponding to the hub assembly.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the window is sized and shaped to allow the patient to access the user interface.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pocket for holding and maintaining the transmitter coil is formed of a non-metal material.

9. A garment to be worn by a patient requiring a medical treatment, the garment comprising:

a transmitter coil in electrical communication with a receiver coil implanted in a patient;

a body portion configured for wrapping around at least a thoracic region of a body of the patient;

at least one strap configured to drape over a shoulder of the patient;

at least one pocket sized and shaped to hold a battery for powering an implantable medical device; and

at least one pocket for maintaining the transmitter coil at a desired location relative to the body of the patient.

10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the at least one pocket for maintaining the transmitter coil is formed of a non-metal material.

11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the at least one pocket for maintaining the transmitter coil is positionable on a plurality of positions of the body portion.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of positions is determined based on an acceptable coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil.

13. The garment of claim 9, wherein the at least one pocket for holding the battery for powering the implantable medical device is positionable on a plurality of positions in a battery attachment region of the body portion.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the body portion further includes a coil attachment region, and wherein the at least one pocket for maintaining the transmitter coil is configured to be attached to the body portion with hook and loop fasteners.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the coil attachment region and the battery attachment region are at least partially overlapping.