Multi-Conductor Cable in an External Charger for an Implantable Medical Device

• US 20170361110A1
• Filed: 06/07/2017
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Stouffer, Thomas W.
• Application Number:
  US15/616,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20170361110A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/29 Terminals; Tapping arrangements for signal inductances
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed. The charging system features an electronics module connected to a charging coil by a cable. The charging system can be configured with a belt or harness that holds the charging coil position to charge the IMD and also providing a user with easy access to the electronics module. Resistance in the cable between electronics module and the charging coil is minimized by using multiple, individually insulated conductors to carry AC current.

Claims

1. A charger for wirelessly providing power to an implantable medical device (IMD), the external charger comprising:

an electronics module, a charging coil assembly, and a cable configured to connect the electronics module with the charging coil assembly;

wherein

the cable comprises multiple individually insulated conductors; and

the electronics module comprises driving circuitry configured to provide AC current to the charging coil assembly, the driving circuitry having a first terminal having a first polarity and a second terminal having a second polarity, wherein the first terminal is connected to a first plurality of connectors for connecting with the cable and the second terminal is connected to a second plurality of connectors for connecting with the cable;

wherein

the electronics module is configured so that when the cable is connected to the electronics module each of the first plurality of connectors contacts one or more of the first plurality of individually insulated conductors and each of the second plurality of connectors contacts one or more of the second plurality of conductors.

2. The charger of claim 1, wherein the cable is a ribbon cable.

3. The charger of claim 1, wherein the cable is a serial cable.

4. The charger of claim 1, wherein the cable is a USB cable.

5. The charger of claim 1, wherein the cable permanently connects to the electronics module.

6. The charger of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors are bonding pads.

7. The charger of claim 1, wherein the first and second pluralities of connectors are configured to connect to an insulation displacement contact (IDC) of the cable.

8. The charger of claim 1, wherein the first and second pluralities of connectors comprise pins.

9. The charger of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors are comprised within a port.

10. The charger of claim 9, wherein the port is a USB port. The charger of claim 9, wherein the port is a serial port.

12. The charger of claim 9, wherein the port is a parallel port.

13. A charger for charging an implantable medical device (IMD), the charger comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB);

circuitry connected to the PCB for providing AC current, the circuitry comprising a first terminal having a first polarity and a second terminal having a second polarity;

a first plurality of conductive traces on the PCB connecting the first terminal to a first plurality of connectors; and

a second plurality of conductive traces on the PCB connecting the second terminal to a second plurality of traces.

14. The charger of claim 13, wherein the first and second connectors are pins.

15. The charger of claim 13, wherein the first and second connectors are bonding pads.

16. The charger of claim 13, wherein the first and second connectors are comprised within a port.

17. The charger of claim 16, wherein the port is serial port.

18. The charger of claim 16, wherein the port is a parallel port.

19. The charger of claim 16, wherein in port is a USB port.