Dual power supply switching circuitry for use in a closed system

• US 20090228077A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medos International Sarl (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Codman Neuro Sciences Sarl
• Inventors: Ginggen, Alec, Crivelli, Rocco
• Granted Patent: US 8,929,996 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 1/108 using diodes blocking reverse current flow H02J1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves

Abstract

Optimal power switching circuitry for use in a closed system such as a TET system including an internal device separated from an external device by a boundary. The internal and external devices being powered by separate power sources. During telemetric communication from the external device to the internal device an external RF energy source is produced. If the power supplied by the external RF energy source produced during communication from the external device to the internal device exceeds that required for powering of the internal device, then the power switching circuitry cuts off power to the internal power source and instead draws power from the external RF energy source thereby conserving power consumed from the internal power source. The power switching circuitry may be implemented using either passive components (e.g., diodes) or active components (e.g., an analog switch).

Claims

1. A closed system having dual power supply switching circuitry, comprising:

an internal device disposed interior of a boundary;

an internal power source for powering the internal device;

an external device separated from the internal device by and disposed exterior to the boundary, the external device being in telemetric communication with the internal device and generating an external RF energy source during telemetric communication with the internal device; and

power switching circuitry for switching from the internal power source to the external RF energy source during communication from the external device to the internal device when power supplied by the external RF energy source exceeds that required for powering the internal device.

2. The closed system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the switching circuitry is an active power switching circuit.

3. The closed system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the active power switching circuit comprises an analog switch.

4. The closed system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the power switching circuitry further comprises a capacitor electrically connected to provide power to the internal device while switching the power supply.

5. The closed system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closed system is a transcutaneous energy transfer system and the internal device is an implantable medical device.

11. The closed system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the internal power source is a non-rechargeable battery.

6. A method for switching of a power supply in a closed system including an internal power source used to power an internal device separated from an external device by a boundary, comprising the steps of:

generating during communication of the external device with the internal device an external RF energy source; and

during communication from the external device to the internal device when power supplied by the external RF energy source exceeds that required for powering the internal device, switching using power switching circuitry from the internal power source to the external RF energy source.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the power switching circuitry is an active power switching circuit.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the active power switching circuit comprises an analog switch.

9. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the power switching circuitry further comprises a capacitor electrically connected to provide power to the internal device while switching the power supply.

10. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the closed system is a transcutaneous energy transfer system and the internal device is an implantable medical device.

12. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the internal power source is a non-rechargeable battery.