Implantable power module for powering a medical device

• US 7,486,048 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Tan, Pang Hoo, Tsukamoto, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US10/900,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20050021100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/112, 320/107, 320/108, 320/114, 320/115, 607/116, 607/119
• US Class Current: 320/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/623 Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6554 Rods or plates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/659 by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00306 Overdischarge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is a medically implantable integrated biocompatible power module incorporating a power source (e.g., battery), a power management circuit (PMC), a magnetically inductive coupling system (MICS) for remote communication and/or inductive charging and a homing device for locating the implanted inductive charging coil. Three configurations are disclosed, each generally suitable for a specified range of energy capacities. The implantable power module (IPM) allows for improved design flexibility for medical devices since the power source may be located remotely and be recharged safely in situ. Special safety aspects may be incorporated, including endothermic phase change heat absorption material (HAM), emergency energy disconnect and emergency energy drain circuits. Communication (one or two way) may be carried out using the inductive charging link, a separate inductive pathway, or other pathway such as RF or via light waves. Homing devices and other means for precisely locating the IPM and/or MICS are disclosed.

Claims

1. An implantable power module, comprising:

a hermetically sealed biocompatible case;

an electrochemical energy storage device housed in the case;

a power management circuit housed within the case;

a couple for remotely communicating with the power module, the couple being in electrical communication with the power management circuit;

at least one connector for functionally interconnecting the electrochemical energy storage device and an implantable medical device such that the electrochemical energy storage device powers the medical device, and

excluding electronics for controlling operation of the implantable medical device.

2. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the power management circuit includes a data processing circuit.

3. The implantable power module of claim 1, further comprising:

a homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted.

4. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical energy storage device includes at least one primary battery.

5. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical energy storage device includes at least one rechargeable battery.

6. The implantable power module of claim 5, wherein the electrochemical energy storage device also includes at least one primary battery.

7. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical energy storage device includes at least one capacitor.

8. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector includes a combined power and data connector.

9. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector includes at least one power connector, and at least one data connector.

10. The implantable power module of claim 5, wherein the couple includes a secondary inductive coil interoperatively connected to the rechargeable battery wherein a fluctuating electromagnetic field generates a current in the secondary inductive coil effecting recharging of the rechargeable battery.

11. The implantable power module of claim 10, wherein the power management circuit controls the recharging.

12. The implantable power module of claim 10, wherein the secondary inductive coil at least partially surrounds the electrochemical storage device.

13. The implantable power module of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the rechargeable battery is shielded with a ferrous magnetic material.

14. The implantable power module of claim 13, wherein the a ferrous magnetic material includes ferrite.

15. The implantable power module of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the power management circuit is shielded with a ferrous magnetic material.

16. The implantable power module of claim 15, wherein the a ferrous magnetic material includes ferrite.

17. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the power management circuit manages the safety and operation of the implantable power module.

18. The implantable power module of claim 17, wherein the power management circuit senses and responds to one or more conditions selected from a group consisting of overcharging, over-discharging, excessive battery temperature, abnormal voltage, and abnormal current.

19. The implantable power module of claim 18, wherein responding to one or more conditions includes disconnecting the electrochemical energy storage device from at least one electrical circuit.

20. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the hermetically seated biocompatible case includes at least one of the following:

metal and ceramic.

21. The implantable power module of claim 20, wherein the metal includes titanium or an alloy of titanium.

22. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the medical device is contiguously attached to the power module and wherein the connecting means includes electrical contacts contained within an external hermetic plug.

23. The implantable power module of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for communicating status remotely.

24. The implantable power module of claim 23, wherein the means for communicating includes signals carried via the couple.

25. The implantable power module of claim 24, wherein the couple includes an inductive coil.

26. The implantable power module of claim 23, wherein the means for communicating includes a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver.

27. The implantable power module of claim 23, wherein the means for communicating includes a light wave transmitter and a light wave receiver.

28. The implantable power module of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for remotely controlling the power module.

29. The implantable power module of claim 28, wherein the means for controlling the power module includes signals carried via the couple.

30. The implantable power module of claim 29, wherein the couple includes an inductive coil.

31. The implantable power module of claim 28, wherein the means for controlling the power module includes a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver.

32. The implantable power module of claim 28, wherein the means for controlling the power module includes a light wave transmitter and a light wave receiver.

33. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the power management circuit further includes the homing device for locating the power module.

34. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes magnetic material.

35. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes at least one passive transponder.

36. The implantable module of claim 35, wherein the at least one passive transponder includes at least one microchip.

37. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes at least one active transponder.

38. The implantable power module of claim 37, wherein the at least one active transponder includes at least one microchip.

39. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes at least one radio frequency transmitter.

40. The implantable power module of claim 39, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted further includes an initiator circuit responsive to a signal from outside the power module, wherein the initiator circuit switches on the radio frequency transmitter upon receiving the signal from outside the power module.

41. The implantable power module of claim 40, wherein the signal from outside the power module includes a radio frequency signal.

42. The implantable power module of claim 40, wherein the signal from outside the power module includes a magnetic field.

43. The implantable power module of claim 40, wherein the signal from outside the power module includes an audio signal.

44. The implantable power module of claim 40, wherein the signal from outside the power module includes a light signal.

45. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes a metal object wherein the metal object is detectible transcutaneously with a metal detector.

46. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes a light-producing device detectable transcutaneously.

47. The implantable power module of claim 46, wherein the light-producing device includes at least on light-emitting diode.

48. The implantable power module of claim 46, wherein the light producing device emits light in the approximately 400 to 700 nm range.

49. The implantable power module of claim 46, wherein the light producing device emits light in the approximately 0.8 to 2.5-μ

m range.

50. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes radioactive material which can be detected transcutaneously.

51. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes a biocompatible tendril or protrusion extending from the secondary charger coil intercutaneously such that it may be detected by touch.

52. The implantable power module of claim 3, wherein the homing device for locating the power module after it is implanted includes a biocompatible tendril or protrusion extending transcutaneously from the secondary charger coil to outside the patient'"'"'s body.

53. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the connector for coupling the electrochemical energy storage device to a medical device is further characterized by being detachably connectable to the medical device.

54. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the implantable module is monolithic.

55. The implantable power module recited in claim 1, wherein the couple for remotely communicating with the power module uses sound.

56. The implantable power module of claim 1, wherein the implantable power module consists essentially of;

the hermetically sealed biocompatible case;

the electrochemical energy storage device;

the power management circuit;

the couple; and

the at least one connector.

57. A method for charging an implanted electrical storage device, comprising:

providing a power module comprising an electrochemical storage device, a secondary inductive charging coil, a charger circuit, a protection circuit, a magnetic material, and excluding electronics for controlling operation of an implantable medical device;

positioning the magnetic material coaxially with the charging coil to create the strongest magnetic field in the center of the charging coil;

implanting the power module into a patient;

providing a primary charging coil comprising a primary inductive coil, a Hall effect sensor located in the center of the primary inductive coil, and a feedback device responsively connected to the Hall effect sensor;

bringing the primary charging coil in proximity to the implanted power module;

moving the primary charging coil until the feedback device signals that the primary charging coil is aligned with the secondary charging coil; and

applying a fluctuating current to the primary charging coil to cause a fluctuating field, inducing a current in the secondary charging coil thereby charging the electrochemical storage device.

58. A method for charging an implanted electrical storage device, comprising:

providing a power module comprising an electrochemical storage device, a secondary inductive charging coil, a charger circuit, a protection circuit, at least one transponder microchip, and excluding electronics for controlling operation of an implantable medical device;

positioning the at least one transponder microchip in proximity to the charging coil to locate the center of the secondary charging coil;

implanting the power module into a patient;

providing a primary charging coil comprising a primary inductive coil, an RF scanner/transceiver, and a feedback device responsively connected to the RF scanner/transceiver,

bringing the primary charging coil in proximity to the implanted power module;

moving the primary charging coil until the feedback device signals that the primary charging coil is aligned with the secondary charging coil; and

applying a fluctuating current to the primary charging coil to cause a fluctuating field, inducing a current in the secondary charging coil thereby charging the electrochemical storage device.

59. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip includes at least one passive transponder.

60. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip includes at least one active transponder.

61. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip is encoded prior to being implanted.

62. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip is encoded remotely after being implanted.

63. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip is located directly under the secondary charging coil.

64. The method for charging an implanted electrical storage device recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one transponder microchip includes an array wherein each the transponder microchip is uniquely encoded with respect to the other microchips in the array.