RESONANT POWER TRANSFER SYSTEMS WITH PROTECTIVE ALGORITHM

• US 20150222127A1
• Filed: 07/29/2013
• Published: 08/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Hansen, John Freddy
• Granted Patent: US 9,825,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings

Abstract

Systems for tuning a wireless power transfer system are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a TET system includes a receive resonator is adapted to be implanted in a human patient and is configured to receive wireless power from a transmit resonator. The system can include a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator. The controller can also be configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object. Methods of use are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a wireless power transfer system from foreign interference, comprising the steps of:

transmitting wireless power from a transmit resonator to a receive resonator implanted in a human patient;

identifying if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator; and

if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power, controlling the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating to the patient whether the foreign object is interfering with transmission of power.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying step further comprises halting the transmission of power, then determining if the receive resonator picks a foreign wireless power signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying step further comprises detecting a return energy transmitted from the receive resonator to the transmit resonator, and comparing the return energy to an expected return energy value.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying step further comprises identifying that the foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power by detecting a wireless power signal in the receive resonator in approximately the same frequency band as an operating frequency of the wireless power transfer system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is a transmit controller connected to the transmit resonator.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is a receive controller connected to the receive resonator.

6. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:

a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power;

a receive resonator adapted to be implanted in a human patient and configured to receive wireless power from the transmit resonator; and

a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator, the controller configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object.