Abstract: A substantially flexible primary coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) device. When in use, the primary coil conforms to the contours of a patient's body, and, more particularly, to the shape of the skin under which a secondary coil of the TET is implanted. The shape of the primary coil adjusts with short term and long term changes in the contour of the patient's skin, enabling the primary coil to maintain a desired relative position with the implanted secondary coil as the patient changes position, posture or orientation, as well as over time as the patient loses or gains weight. The primary coil includes a shape-retaining base ring defining a primary plane. The base ring is firm, yet is able to conform to the contours of the substrate upon which it is placed. Attached to the base ring is a conducting element such as flexible wire which is coiled to form a plurality of nearly concentric windings.

Abstract: A transcutaneous energy transfer device is provided which has a magnetic shield covering the primary winding of the device to reduce sensitivity of the device to conducting objects in the vicinity of the coils and to increase the percentage of magnetic field generated by the primary coil which reaches the secondary coil. This shield is preferably larger than the primary coil in all dimensions and is either formed of a high permeability flexible material, for example a low loss magnetic material in a flexible polymer matrix, with perforations formed in the material sufficient to permit ventilation of the patient's skin situated under the shield, or the shield may be formed of segments of very high permeability material connected by a flexible, porous mesh material.

Abstract: A transcutaneous energy transfer device is provided which has a magnetic shield covering the primary winding of the device to reduce sensitivity of the device to conducting objects in the vicinity of the coils and to increase the percentage of magnetic field generated by the primary coil which reaches the secondary coil. This shield is preferably larger than the primary coil in all dimensions and is either formed of a high permeability flexible material, for example a low loss magnetic material in a flexible polymer matrix, with perforations formed in the material sufficient to permit ventilation of the patient's skin situated under the shield, or the shield may be formed of segments of very high permeability material connected by a flexible, porous mesh material.

Abstract: A transcutaneous energy transfer device is provided which has a magnetic shield covering the primary winding of the device to reduce sensitivity of the device to conducting objects in the vicinity of the coils and to increase the percentage of magnetic field generated by the primary coil which reaches the secondary coil. This shield is preferably larger than the primary coil in all dimensions and is either formed of a high permeability flexible material, for example a low loss magnetic material in a flexible polymer matrix, with perforations formed in the material sufficient to permit ventilation of the patient's skin situated under the shield, or the shield may be formed of segments of very high permeability material connected by a flexible, porous mesh material.

Abstract: The invention provides a transcutaneous energy transfer device having an external primary coil and an implanted secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil, electronic components subcutaneously mounted within the secondary coil and a mechanism which reduces inductive heating of such components by the magnetic field of the secondary coil. For one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for reducing inductive heating includes a cage formed of a high magnetic permeability material in which the electronic components are mounted, which cage guides the flux around the components to prevent heating thereof. For an alternative embodiment of the invention, a secondary coil has an outer winding and either a counter-wound inner winding or an inner winding in the magnetic field of the outer winding. For either arrangement of the inner coil, the inner coil generates a magnetic field substantially canceling the magnetic field of the outer coil in the area in which the electronic components are mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides a transcutaneous energy transfer device having an external primary coil and an implanted secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil, electronic components subcutaneously mounted within the secondary coil and a mechanism which reduces inductive heating of such components by the magnetic field of the secondary coil. For one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for reducing inductive heating includes a cage formed of a high magnetic permeability material in which the electronic components are mounted, which cage guides the flux around the components to prevent heating thereof. For an alternative embodiment of the invention, a secondary coil has an outer winding and either a counter-wound inner winding or an inner winding in the magnetic field of the outer winding. For either arrangement of the inner coil, the inner coil generates a magnetic field substantially canceling the magnetic field of the outer coil in the area in which the electronic components are mounted.

Abstract: A transcutaneous energy transfer device is provided which has a magnetic shield covering the primary winding of the device to reduce sensitivity of the device to conducting objects in the vicinity of the coils and to increase the percentage of magnetic field generated by the primary coil which reaches the secondary coil. This shield is preferably larger than the primary coil in all dimensions and is either formed of a high permeability flexible material, for example a low loss magnetic material in a flexible polymer matrix, with perforations formed in the material sufficient to permit ventilation of the patient's skin situated under the shield, or the shield may be formed of segments of very high permeability material connected by a flexible, porous mesh material.

Abstract: The invention provides a transcutaneous energy transfer device having an external primary coil and an implanted secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil, electronic components subcutaneously mounted within the secondary coil and a mechanism which reduces inductive heating of such components by the magnetic field of the secondary coil. For one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for reducing inductive heating includes a cage formed of a high magnetic permeability material in which the electronic components are mounted, which cage guides the flux around the components to prevent heating thereof. For an alternative embodiment of the invention, a secondary coil has an outer winding and either a counter-wound inner winding or an inner winding in the magnetic field of the outer winding. For either arrangement of the inner coil, the inner coil generates a magnetic field substantially canceling the magnetic field of the outer coil in the area in which the electronic components are mounted.

Abstract: A method for the use of light pressure to optically center a lens on a source of emitted light with submicron accuracy. In one aspect the method uses light pressure to optically center a lens on a source of emitted light, where the lens is then fixed in place. In another aspect the method uses light pressure to create an optically centered lens from a dielectric liquid on a source of emitted light, the shaped lens is then fixed to form an optically aligned permanent lens. By choosing the appropriate lens the light emitted from the source can be either focused or collimated.