WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM AND WEARABLES

• US 20170063143A1
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Published: 03/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Lind, Jeffrey R., Ignacio, Joanna M., Koneru, Chalan, Layton, John Curtis, Parks, Nicole L., Erickson, Leif A., Brown, Alex R., Hoarau, Carine, McEachern, Ian Coll, Nguyen, John, Dubeau, Serge, Leugers, Martin A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,148,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 garment and devices to be worn by a patient requiring treatment. The garments are configured for desired placement of a transmitter coil relative to the body and for facilitating patient comfort and quality of life. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of batteries;

a corresponding plurality of hubs, each hub comprising a battery clip configured to retain a respective battery of the plurality of batteries and each hub configured for connection to at least one other hub and to control at least one function of the system, wherein at least one hub of said plurality of hubs comprises a user interface (UI) hub.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the UI hub is integrated into a wearable garment and comprises a system computer and an output device configured to display information output from the system to a user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the UI hub is configured for two-way communication with an implanted medical device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the UI hub further comprises an input device configured to receive user input of user settings, and wherein the system computer is configured to transmit the user settings to the implanted medical device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the system computer comprises a memory configured to store the user settings.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the system computer is further configured to receive operation information from the implanted medical device for display on the output device.

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

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 patient'"'"'s body; and

at least one pocket for maintaining a transmitter coil at a desired location relative to the patient'"'"'s body;

a transmitter coil; and

at least one battery for powering an implantable medical device.

8. The system of claim 7, 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 coil.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the hub assembly further includes a user interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the user interface is configured to display system information to the patient.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the garment includes a window corresponding to the hub assembly.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the window is sized and shaped to allow the patient to access the user interface.

14. The system of claim 7 wherein the coil pocket is formed of a non-metal.

15. A garment to be worn by a patient requiring 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 the patient'"'"'s body;

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

at least one pocket sized and shaped to receive 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 patient'"'"'s body.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the coil pocket is formed of a non-metal.

17. The garment of claim 15, wherein the at least one coil pocket is positionable on a plurality of positions of the body portion.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of positions is based on a coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil.

19. The garment of claim 15, wherein the at least one battery pocket is positionable on a plurality of positions of the body portion.

20. The garment of claim 15, wherein the body portion includes a coil attachment region, further wherein the at least one coil pocket is configured to be attached to the body portion with hook and loop fasteners.

21. The garment of claim 20, wherein the coil attachment region and battery attachment region are at least partially overlapping.

22. An accessory carrier for a patient requiring treatment, comprising:

a carrier having an interior for holding components of a medical system, the carrier including a first clip for securing a battery and a divider for separating the battery from the remainder of the interior;

a flap covering at least a portion of the carrier;

a strap for draping the carrier over a patient'"'"'s body; and

a closure for sealing the flap against the carrier.

23. The carrier of claim 22, further comprising a metal backing plate on the first clip positioned along a back of a battery to be inserted in the carrier.

24. The carrier of claim 22, wherein the carrier is substantially formed of a non-metal material.