Abstract: A self-cooling transcutaneous energy transfer system is provided for transmitting power to an implantable medical device, such as a defibrillator. The system includes a housing that is supported above the human body by a base so as to define a space between the housing and the body. A primary induction coil is disposed within the housing for transferring electromagnetic energy to the implantable medical device. A cooling fan is attached to the housing for providing forced convective heat transfer from the body. Various power and control circuitry are provided. The system can transfer away heat generated by eddy currents induced in the implantable device by the magnetic flux produced by the induction coil.

Abstract: An improved hermetically-sealed automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) or any other bioimplantable device which may be operated on a single rechargeable cell, or a dual power source system, the rechargeable component being recharged by magnetic induction. Included in the implantable devices are new lithium rechargeable chemistries designed to sense the state-of-charge or discharge of the battery; a battery charge controller specifically designed to recharge a lithium battery rapidly to less than 100% full charge, and preferably 90%, more preferably 80%, of full rated charge capacity; and charging means for multi-step charging. The batteries are based on lithium chemistries specially designed to yield higher currents than conventional primary lithium chemistries and to permit long-term performance despite sub-capacity recharging.