Apparatus and Methods For Charging An Implanted Medical Device Power Source

• US 20090082835A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Baldwin, Gregory, Makous, Jim, Funderburk, Jeffery Van, Carbunaru, Rafael, Whitehurst, Todd K., DiGiore, Andrew, Moffitt, Michael A., Jaax, Kristen, Lui, Mun Pook, Schleicher, Brett Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 in response to temperature

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device.

Claims

1. A charging appliance for use with an implanted medical device, comprising:

an inductor;

power supply and control apparatus operably connected to the inductor; and

a fastener apparatus configured to removably secure the inductor to a wearable device.

2. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener apparatus comprises a clasp.

3-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A charging appliance, comprising:

an implanted medical device charger; and

a mounting apparatus configured to removably mount the implanted medical device charger on an article of clothing.

11. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a pouch, including a pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger, and a fastener configured to secure the pouch to the article of clothing.

7-10. -10. (canceled)

12-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A charging appliance, comprising:

an implanted medical device charger; and

a mounting apparatus configured to removably mount the implanted medical device charger on the torso of a wearer.

21. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a shoulder harness having at least one pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger.

22. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 21, wherein the shoulder harness is formed from an elastomeric material.

23. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 21, wherein the shoulder harness includes separable portions and a fastener arrangement adapted to secure the separable portions to one another.

24. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a chest harness having at least one pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger.

25. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a vest having at least one pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger.

26. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a shoulder drape, having at least one pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger, that is configured to extend at least partially around the wearer'"'"'s neck.

27. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 26, wherein the shoulder drape defines first and second ends, the at least one pocket is associated with the first end, and a counterweight is associated with the second end.

28. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 26, wherein the shoulder drape defines first and second ends, the at least one pocket is associated with the first end, and a magnet is associated with the second end.

29. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 26, wherein the shoulder drape includes a slip resistant surface.

30. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a scarf having at least one pocket configured to receive the implanted medical device charger.

31. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 30, further comprising:

a fastener adapted to secure one portion of the scarf to another portion of the scarf.

32. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a garment, one of hook material and hook compatible material associated with the garment, and the other of hook material and hook compatible material associated with the implanted medical device charger.

33. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 32, wherein the other of hook material and hook compatible material is secured to the implanted medical device charger.

34. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 32, wherein

the mounting apparatus further comprises a pouch;

and

the other of hook material and hook compatible material is secured to the pouch.

35. A charging appliance for use with an implanted medical device, comprising:

a wearable device; and

an inductor permanently associated with the wearable device.

39. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 35, wherein the wearable device is selected from the group consisting of a shirt collar, a tie, a coat collar, a scarf, a turtleneck collar, a hat, a helmet, a belt, a heart monitor, a joint brace, a shirt, a shoulder harness, a chest harness, a vest, a shoulder drape, a scarf, ear muffs, a belt buckle, an eyeglass retainer strap, a barrette, a wig, a toupee, a dog collar type neck accessory, a neck ribbon, a necklace, an earring, a thyroid guard, a neck brace, an adhesive strip, an adhesive disk, a suction cup, an eyeglass frame, a personal cooler, a neck harness, a hair band, a priest collar, a fetal monitor, a scuba suit, suspenders, a body piercing, a body tissue screw, a head band, a splint, and a gel pad.

36-38. -38. (canceled)

40-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A charging appliance for use with an implanted medical device, comprising:

a non-wearable device having utility beyond implanted medical device charging; and

an inductor associated with the non-wearable device.

50. A charging appliance as claimed in claim 48, wherein the non-wearable device comprises a pillow.

49. (canceled)

51-66. -66. (canceled)