Resonant power transfer systems with protective algorithm

• US 9,825,471 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2013
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Hansen, John Freddy
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Xuan
• Application Number:
  US14/414,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20150222127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 307104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings

Abstract

Systems for tuning a wireless power transfer system are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a TET system includes a receive resonator is adapted to be implanted in a human patient and is configured to receive wireless power from a transmit resonator. The system can include a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator. The controller can also be configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object. Methods of use are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a wireless power transfer system from interference by an object that is foreign to the wireless power transfer system, comprising the steps of:

transmitting wireless power from a transmit resonator to a receive resonator implanted in a human patient;

detecting, by the receive resonator, the object that is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator; and

controlling the transmit resonator to phase match with the object.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating to the patient that the foreign object is interfering with transmission of power.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step further comprises halting the transmission of power, then determining if the receive resonator receives a foreign wireless power signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting a return energy transmitted from the receive resonator to the transmit resonator, and comparing the return energy to an expected return energy value.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step further comprises detecting a wireless power signal in the receive resonator in approximately the same frequency band as an operating frequency of the wireless power transfer system.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a frequency of the induced voltage.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising controlling a frequency and a phase of the transmitting based on the frequency of the induced voltage.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein controlling the frequency and the phase of the transmitting comprises halting transmission in-phase with the induced voltage.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising initiating an alarm to the patient when the phase of the induced voltage cannot be matched by the transmitting.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicating comprises initiating an audible alarm.

6. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:

a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power;

a receive resonator adapted to be implanted in a human patient and configured to receive wireless power from the transmit resonator; and

a controller connected to the transmit resonator and configured to detect a foreign transmitter that is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator, the controller configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign transmitter.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a receive controller connected to the receive resonator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the receive controller is configured to detect the induced voltage in the receive resonator.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller comprises a signal generator configured to adjust a transmit frequency of the transmit resonator to compensate for changes in coupling between the transmit resonator and the receive resonator.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller comprises an amplifier configured to adjust a gain applied to transmissions from the transmit resonator to compensate for changes in coupling between the transmit resonator and the receive resonator.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to turn off the transmit resonator when energy losses due to interference by the foreign transmitter are large.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to initiate an alarm to the human patient upon detecting the foreign transmitter is interfering.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a frequency of the induced voltage.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to control a frequency and a phase of transmissions based on the frequency of the induced voltage.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to control the frequency and the phase of transmissions to halt transmissions in-phase with the induced voltage.