System and method for transmitting energy to and establishing a communications network with one or more implanted devices
First Claim
1. A system for transmitting energy to and communicating with a complementary implantable medical device, the system comprising a transmission module further comprising at least one energizable coil and adapted to automatically establish and control an inductive transfer link with the complementary implantable medical device comprising at least one energizable coil wherein the transmission module automatically initiates, without requiring user intervention, patient contact, or any alignment between the energizable coil and the implantable medical device, an inductive transfer of energy to the medical device to power the medical device, the automatic initiation based at least in part on the medical device coming within range of the transmission module, wherein the transmission module establishes a data transfer link with the medical device and wherein the inductive link powers the data link and wherein the inductive link powers at least one of:
- (1) intracorporeal ultrasound transmitters and receivers for data communication between multiple implantable devices, or (2) a RF transmitter and receiver.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for automatically powering and communicating with an implantable medical device through an inductive link are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises an inductive coil or set of such coils. One coil may be mounted or installed on or near the bed of a patient as a component of a transmission module. Another coil may a component of an implantable medical device. The coils are energized by a resonant circuit to generate an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the bedside. Without any action on the patient'"'"'s part, the implantable device receives the inductively transmitted energy to power its immediate operation or recharge its battery, thereby extending its longevity, potentially indefinitely. The inductive link also enables data transfer communication between the transmission module and implantable device. Some embodiments of a system disclosed herein also can be configured as a component of an Advanced Patient Management System that helps better monitor, predict and manage chronic diseases.
185 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting energy to and communicating with a complementary implantable medical device, the system comprising a transmission module further comprising at least one energizable coil and adapted to automatically establish and control an inductive transfer link with the complementary implantable medical device comprising at least one energizable coil wherein the transmission module automatically initiates, without requiring user intervention, patient contact, or any alignment between the energizable coil and the implantable medical device, an inductive transfer of energy to the medical device to power the medical device, the automatic initiation based at least in part on the medical device coming within range of the transmission module, wherein the transmission module establishes a data transfer link with the medical device and wherein the inductive link powers the data link and wherein the inductive link powers at least one of:
- (1) intracorporeal ultrasound transmitters and receivers for data communication between multiple implantable devices, or (2) a RF transmitter and receiver.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- 29. A system for transmitting energy to and communicating with an implantable medical device, the system comprising a transmission module adapted to automatically establish and control an inductive transfer link with the implantable medical device, said module comprising at least one energizable coil, and said implantable medical device comprising at least one energizable coil, an energy storage device and memory to electronically store data, and wherein the transmission module is further adapted with memory to electronically store data.
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36. A method of using the system for transmitting energy to and communicating with an implantable medical device, the system comprising a transmission module adapted to automatically establish and control an inductive transfer link with a complementary implantable medical device, said module comprising at least one energizable coil, and said medical device comprising at least one energizable coil, an energy storage device and memory to electronically store data, wherein the method comprises the steps of
a. bringing the implantable medical device within operational proximity to the transmission module; -
b. automatically establishing an inductive transfer link between the implantable medical device and the transmission module; c. regulating the inductive link; d. transferring power to the implantable medical device; e. transferring data to and from the implantable medical device; and f. powering communication between the implantable medical device and a centralized patient management system. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A system for transmitting energy to and communicating with an implantable medical device, the system comprising a transmission module that establishes a data transfer link with the implantable medical device, the system further comprising at least one energizable coil and adapted to automatically establish and control an inductive transfer link with the implantable medical device comprising at least one energizable coil, wherein the transmission module automatically initiates, without requiring user intervention, an inductive transfer of energy to the medical device to power the implantable medical device, the automatic initiation based at least in part on the medical device coming within range of the transmission module, wherein the inductive link powers at least one of:
- (1) intracorporeal ultrasound transmitters and receivers for data communication between multiple implantable devices, or (2) an RF transmitter and receiver.
- View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
Specification