Headset recharger for cranially implantable medical devices

• US 7,317,947 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Phillips, William C., Skime, Robert M., Wahlstrand, Carl D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kahelin; Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/835,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 607/46, 607 55- 57, 607/60, 607/61, 607/103, 607/139, 607/149, 607154-156, 607/136, 607/137, 600/33, 600/379
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

The invention is directed to a recharging system and associated techniques to recharge an implantable medical device (IMD). In particular, a recharging system according to the invention comprises a headset having an energy delivery module that delivers energy to a power source of an IMD implanted on or within the cranium of a patient. The energy delivery module may comprise a coil for inductive transfer of energy to the power source. The headset may be configured for placement over the head of the patient, and may further only partially cover the top of the head. The energy delivery module may be adjustably coupled to the headset. In some embodiments, the position of the energy delivery module may be adjusted along three or four axes, including a rotational axis, allowing the coil to be placed over an IMD located at any of a variety of locations on or within the cranium.

Claims

1. A recharging system comprising:

a headset that is configured for placement over a head of a patient, wherein the headset extends from a first end to a second end;

an energy delivery module adapted to deliver recharge energy to a rechargeable power source of a medical device that is implanted at least one of on or within a cranium and under a scalp of the patient; and

a coupling member to couple the energy delivery module to a medial portion of the headset between the first and second ends of the headset, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset such that a position of the coupling member is adjustable along at least two axes of motion.

2. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device.

3. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset such that the position of the coupling member is adjustable along at least three axes of motion, and one of the axes of motion comprises a rotational axis.

4. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is moldable.

5. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a fixation mechanism that couples the coupling member to the headset, wherein the fixation mechanism is manipulatable between a first state in which the position of the coupling member is adjustable and a second state in which the position of the coupling member is substantially fixed.

6. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the headset partially covers a top of the head.

7. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a recharge control unit that controls delivery of energy to the power source of the medical device.

8. The recharging system of claim 7,

wherein the power source of the medical device is a first power source, and

wherein the recharge control unit comprises a second power source, and controls delivery of energy from the second power source to the first power source.

9. The recharging system of claim 7, further comprising a telemetry antenna, wherein the recharge control unit further comprises a telemetry circuit electrically coupled to the telemetry antenna, and the recharge control unit communicates with the medical device via the telemetry circuit and the telemetry antenna.

10. The recharging system of claim 9, wherein the energy delivery module comprises a coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device, and the telemetry antenna comprises the coil.

11. The recharging system of claim 9, wherein the coupling member couples the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna to the headset.

12. The recharging system of claim 11, further comprising a housing member that is coupled to the coupling member and houses the energy delivery module and the telemetry antenna.

13. The recharging system of claim 12, wherein the housing member is adjustably coupled to the coupling member.

14. The recharging system of claim 12, wherein the housing member is moldable.

15. The recharging system of claim 9, wherein the coupling member comprises a first coupling member, the system further comprising

a second coupling member that couples the telemetry antenna to the headset, wherein the second coupling member is adjustably coupled to the headset.

16. The recharging system of claim 9, wherein the recharge control unit receives recharge status information from the medical device via the telemetry antenna and the telemetry circuit.

17. The recharging system of claim 7, wherein the recharge control unit includes a user interface, and presents information to the patient via the user interface.

18. The recharging system of claim 17, wherein the recharge control unit presents alignment information to the patient via the user interface.

19. The recharging system of claim 17, wherein the recharge control unit presents recharge status information to the patient via the user interface.

20. The recharging system of claim 17, wherein the user interface comprises a display, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the display.

21. The recharging system of claim 17, wherein the headset comprises at least one earpiece that includes a speaker, the user interface comprises the speaker, and the recharge control unit presents information to the patient via the speaker.

22. The recharging system of claim 7, wherein the recharge unit comprises a user interface, and at least one of initiates delivery of energy and terminates delivery of energy based on a command received from the patient via the user interface.

23. The recharging system of claim 7, wherein the recharge control unit is housed separately from the headset and is electrically coupled to at least one of the headset and the energy delivery module by a conductor.

24. The recharging system of claim 23, wherein the recharge control unit is configured to be worn by the patient.

25. The recharging system of claim 7, wherein the recharge control unit is integrated with the headset.

26. The recharging system of claim 25, wherein the headset comprises at least one earpiece, and the recharge control unit is housed by the at least one earpiece.

27. The recharging system of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing member that extends from the headset to stabilize a position of headset relative to the head.

28. The recharging system of claim 27, wherein the stabilizing member substantially conforms to a curvature of the head of the patient.

29. The recharging system of claim 27, wherein the stabilizing member is moldable.

30. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the power source of the medical device comprises a rechargeable battery.

31. The recharging system of claim 1, wherein the medical device is coupled to a lead that is implanted at least one of within or adjacent to a brain of the patient, and the medical device at least one of delivers stimulation to the brain or monitors electrical activity within the brain via the lead.