Power generation for implantable devices

• US 8,805,530 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2008
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Inventors: John, Michael Sasha
• Primary Examiner(s): GETZOW, SCOTT M
• Application Number:
  US12/131,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,262 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/29, 607/33, 607/34, 607/35, 607/63, 607/61
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

An implantable, rechargeable medical system comprised of an implanted device, a power storage device connected to the implantable device, and a charging device operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The charging device can be thermoelectric and have components for transferring thermal energy from an intracranial heat accumulator to an extra-cranial heat sink, for generating an electrical current from the thermal energy transfer, for charging the electrical storage device using the electrical current, for measuring power generation, usage and reserve levels, for measuring temperatures of the intracranial and extra-cranial components, for physically disrupting heat transfer and charging operations, and for generating signals relevant to the status of temperature and electricity transfer in relation to energy generation criteria. The system may also have long-range and short range wireless power harvesting capability as well as movement, and photovoltaic charging capability. Components may be dual purpose, being used for receiving wireless energy as well as for accomplishing other operations such as sensing or stimulating. Specialized accessories assist with providing enhanced wireless power charging.

Claims

1. A cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system comprising:

a rechargeable power storage;

a power charging module configured for charging the rechargeable power storage, said charging module containing at least one first receiver component which is an extra-cranially disposed receiver plate component that is configured for wireless energy harvesting and which serves as part of electricity transducer circuitry, the receiver plate component located external to the housing of an implanted medical device;

the power charging module further having electrical routing configured to connect with a connection module in the housing of the implanted medical device, the connection module configured for receiving wired signals related to power harvesting and transmitting these to components within the housing of the implanted medical device; and

,

a control subsystem configured for controlling electricity generating operations, including those of the electricity generating circuit, the controlling including halting wireless energy harvesting at the cranially disposed wireless energy harvester contingently based upon an operation of the implanted medical device that is related to patient monitoring and the provision of therapy.

2. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein said electricity transducer circuit provides energy harvesting which is accomplished using at least two different induction coils which are designed to harness energy from two different locations of the electromagnetic spectrum configured within the first receiver component.

3. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim of 1, further including a ferrule, and wherein the first receiver component is located in an extracranial location that is distinct from the location of a device which is being charged and is configured to be secured to the scalp with the ferrule.

4. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1, wherein said connection module in the housing of an implanted medical device is configured to be electrically isolated from the housing of the implanted medical device.

5. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 further including a power monitor configured to monitor power harvesting operations and to provide a signal if the energy harvested during power harvesting is less than an amount, wherein the signal is a signal that is communicated to an external device.

6. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein the therapy operation of said device is an operation related to sensing data from a patient.

7. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein said therapy operation of said device comprises at least one type of a stimulation operation.

8. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1, further including an external device configured to communicate both with the implanted device and with a wireless power transmitter, wherein the control subsystem is further configured to use a communication system to communicate with an external device, which in turn, communicates with a power transmitter in order to control power transmission.

9. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein said therapy operation of said device comprises alerting a patient.

10. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein halting power harvesting comprises halting power harvesting for a selected duration, and then automatically restarting power harvesting after the duration has expired.

11. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein the rechargeable power supply resides within the housing of a neurostimulator, said neurostimulator being configured to receive wired-based power recharging sent using said electrical routing.

12. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 1 wherein the electricity circuit is configured for thermal energy harvesting.

13. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 12, wherein the harvester system includes part of a thermoelectric power generator, having a second receiver plate component located intra-cranially and a PN stack located between the first and second receiver plates, wherein said thermoelectric power generator is configured to transduce electricity from a thermal gradient which may occur between said first receiver plate component and said second receiver plate component.

14. The cranially disposed wireless energy harvester system of claim 12, wherein said first component is electrically coupled to a ferrule said ferrule being configured with at least one of the following:

electrical contacts configured to communicate electricity to the implanted medical device which is configured to receive power from a power harvesting circuit; and

a second receiver plate component configured to reside at an intracranial location.

15. The cranially disposed power harvester system of claim 1 wherein the electricity circuit is configured for harvesting by inductive coupling.

16. The cranially disposed power harvester system of claim 1 wherein the electricity circuit is configured for RF energy harvesting.

17. The cranially disposed power harvester system of claim 1 wherein the electricity circuit is configured for resonance energy inductive coupling.