Spinal cord stimulator system

• US 10,810,614 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2017
• Issued: 10/20/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Inventors: Angara, Raghavendra, Khalil, Saif, Curtis, Miles, Biele, Christopher, Fellmeth, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mahmood, Nadia A
• Application Number:
  US15/839,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20180101861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 607 46, 607 45, 607 43, 607 59, 607 60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36142 for improving safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3752 Details of casing-lead connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment

Abstract

A wireless charger system for inductively charging a rechargeable battery of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted in a human body is provided. A charging coil in the charger is wirelessly coupled to a receiving coil of the IPG to charge the rechargeable battery. An end-of-charge (EOC) circuit continuously monitors the reflected impedance from a reflected impedance sensor and determines the end of charge when a predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance corresponding to an EOC signal from the IPG is received. Advantageously, receiving the EOC signal through the charging coil eliminates the need to provide a separate communication circuit in the IPG that communicates with the charger.

Claims

1. A method for a wireless charger system for inductively charging a rechargeable battery of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates stimulation signals for delivery to portions of a human body, the method comprising:

applying a charging signal that inductively charges the rechargeable battery of the IPG;

continuously monitoring a reflected impedance from a reflected impedance sensor while the charging signal is being applied; and

determining an end-of-charge (EOC) when a predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance corresponding to an EOC signal from the IPG is received.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

electrically shorting to ground a receiving coil of the IPG in a selected pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of electrically shorting includes switching by a processor a switch connected between the receiving coil and ground a selected number of times which is indicative of the EOC signal from the IPG.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of electrically shorting includes switching by a processor a switch connected between the receiving coil and ground at least three times.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising varying by the IPG the current being received by the receiving coil in a selected pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising outputting a tactile signal indicative of the EOC of the IPG when the EOC has been determined.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

outputting both a tactile signal and an audible signal indicative of the EOC of the IPG when the EOC has been determined.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising wherein when the EOC has been determined, turning off current to the charging coil.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging coil is backed by a ferrite plate.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reducing losses in the wireless charging system during recharging.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

electrically shorting to ground a receiving coil of the IPG in a selected pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of electrically shorting includes switching by a processor a switch connected between the receiving coil and ground a selected number of times which is indicative of the EOC signal from the IPG.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of electrically shorting includes switching by a processor a switch connected between the receiving coil and ground at least three times.

15. The method of claim 4, further comprising varying by the IPG the current being received by the receiving coil in a selected pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance.

16. The method of claim 5, further comprising outputting a tactile signal indicative of the EOC of the IPG when the EOC has been determined.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

outputting both a tactile signal and an audible signal indicative of the EOC of the IPG when the EOC has been determined.

18. The method of claim 7, further comprising wherein when the EOC has been determined, turning off current to the charging coil.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging coil is backed by a ferrite plate.

11. A method for a wireless charger system for inductively charging a rechargeable battery of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates stimulation signals for delivery to portions of a human body, the method comprising:

applying a charging signal that inductively charges the rechargeable battery of the IPG;

continuously monitoring a reflected impedance from a reflected impedance sensor while the charging signal is being applied;

determining an end-of-charge (EOC) when a predetermined pattern of the reflected impedance corresponding to an EOC signal from the IPG is received; and

reducing losses in the wireless charging system.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of reducing losses in the wireless charging system during recharging is performed by a feedback closed look control.