Abstract: Described herein are techniques to ensure a user using an external device is authorized to connect and connecting to a correct implantable medical device using a wireless communication protocol. A request for authorization is sent to the external device from the implantable medical device, and the authorization can be provided by an authorization pulse sent using the implantable medical device charger over the inductive link between the charging device and the implanted device. The authorization pulse can be trusted because the inductive link is short range, ensuring the patient is aware of the connection to the implanted device. Once the implanted device receives the authorization pulse, it may finalize the pairing over the first connection.

Abstract: A wireless power system for an implantable device is described. The system includes multiple inductive charging coils to increase an effective area for receiving an electromagnetic charging field from a wireless charging device. The multiple inductive charging coils produce different alternating current signals in response to receiving the electromagnetic charging field. The system includes a rectifying circuit for rectifying the alternating current signals into direct current signals. The system also includes a current combination circuit for combining the multiple direct current signals into a single direct current for powering an operation of the implantable device. Methods and devices for implementing the power system in an implantable device are also described.

Abstract: One example device includes a first housing portion defining a first coupling surface; a second housing portion defining a second coupling surface, the first housing portion coupled to the second housing portion to form a housing, the first housing portion and the second housing portion defining an opening, the opening intersecting the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface; a first gasket positioned between the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface, the first gasket providing a first seal between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) disposed within the housing and coupled to at least one of the first or second housing portions; an electrical connector electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and positioned within the opening; and a second gasket positioned between the electrical connector and the housing, the second gasket providing a second seal between the electrical connector and the housing, wherein the first g

Abstract: A system for wirelessly charging an implantable device is described. The system may include an estimation device or component that estimates a field strength at a receiving coil of the implantable device based on available electrical signals within the implantable device. The system may also include a control system for varying a strength of a charging field produced by a charger. The system may also be used to align a wireless charger with the implantable device for charging a battery of the implantable device. Methods and devices for implementing the charging system are also described.

Abstract: One example device for overcurrent protection for wireless power receivers includes a wireless power antenna comprising a wire coil; a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the wireless power antenna to receive an electric power signal from the wireless power antenna; a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit and configured to electrically decouple the wireless power antenna from the conditioning circuit in response to being blown; and a thermal energy source configured to generate thermal energy based on an electrical signal from an output of the conditioning circuit, the thermal energy source positioned proximate the temperature-sensitive fuse.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques to ensure a user using an external device is authorized to connect and connecting to a correct implantable medical device using a wireless communication protocol. A request for authorization is sent to the external device from the implantable medical device, and the authorization can be provided by an authorization pulse sent using the implantable medical device charger over the inductive link between the charging device and the implanted device. The authorization pulse can be trusted because the inductive link is short range, ensuring the patient is aware of the connection to the implanted device. Once the implanted device receives the authorization pulse, it may finalize the pairing over the first connection.

Abstract: One example device for providing wireless power includes a power supply; a power amplifier coupled to the power supply, the power amplifier comprising a first switch and a second switch coupled to the power supply and to a common switch output, and a pulse-width modulator (“PWM”) coupled to the power amplifier, the PWM configured to substantially simultaneously toggle each of the first and second switches between open and closed states, and to maintain the first and second switches in opposite open and closed states; a controller coupled to the power supply and the PWM, the controller configured to: receive a sensor signal indicating an impedance of a load; determine a duty cycle of the PWM based on the sensor signal; and adjust an output voltage of the power supply based on the duty cycle of the PWM.

Abstract: Techniques for wired and wireless charging of electronic devices are provided. An example of a method for charging a device according to the disclosure includes receiving a signal from a power source with an electronic circuit, such that the electronic circuit includes a synchronous rectifier comprising a first phase leg and a second phase leg, utilizing the first phase leg to implement synchronous rectification and the second phase leg to implement a single phase buck converter when the signal is a wireless signal received from the power source, utilizing the first phase leg and the second phase leg to implement a multi-phase buck converter when the signal is received from a wired power source, and providing an output signal with the electronic circuit.

Abstract: One example device for overcurrent protection for wireless power receivers includes a wireless power antenna comprising a wire coil; a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the wireless power antenna to receive an electric power signal from the wireless power antenna; a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit and configured to electrically decouple the wireless power antenna from the conditioning circuit in response to being blown; and a thermal energy source configured to generate thermal energy based on an electrical signal from an output of the conditioning circuit, the thermal energy source positioned proximate the temperature-sensitive fuse.

Abstract: An apparatus for wirelessly transferring charging power is provided. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to generate a wireless field when driven with a time-varying current. The apparatus comprises a measurement circuit configured to determine a parasitic capacitance between the coupler and ground while the coupler generates the wireless field. The apparatus comprises a controller circuit configured to determine a presence of a foreign object in response to the determined parasitic capacitance satisfying a detection criteria. The detection criteria may comprises a time-varying pattern of the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object. The detection criteria may also comprises a threshold change in the determined parasitic capacitance predetermined to correspond to presence of a presence of the foreign object.

Abstract: An aspect of this disclosure is an apparatus for receiving power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power receiver circuit that receives power from a magnetic field of a transmitter to provide to a load. At least one receiver component is coupled with the power receiver circuit and operates based on at least one operation parameter. A sensor measures at least one of a current and a voltage at the load. A controller estimates a first voltage induced by the magnetic field based on the at least one measured current and measured voltage and the at least one operation parameter. The controller also estimates a second voltage based on the at least one operation parameter, the second voltage corresponding to a voltage at which the power receiver circuit operates with an efficiency level that exceeds a threshold efficiency. The communication circuit communicates the estimated voltages to the transmitter.

Abstract: One example device for providing wireless power includes a power supply; a power amplifier coupled to the power supply, the power amplifier comprising a first switch and a second switch coupled to the power supply and to a common switch output, and a pulse-width modulator (“PWM”) coupled to the power amplifier, the PWM configured to substantially simultaneously toggle each of the first and second switches between open and closed states, and to maintain the first and second switches in opposite open and closed states; a controller coupled to the power supply and the PWM, the controller configured to: receive a sensor signal indicating an impedance of a load; determine a duty cycle of the PWM based on the sensor signal; and adjust an output voltage of the power supply based on the duty cycle of the PWM.

Abstract: A system for detecting and characterizing an object proximate to a wireless power transmitting unit includes a transmit circuit having a transmit antenna, the transmit circuit configured to transmit at least one signal having a frequency related to a fundamental power transmit frequency, the transmit circuit configured to measure a response of the transmit antenna, and a controller circuit configured to characterize the object based on the response of the transmit antenna.

Abstract: A method includes controlling a power supply system to avoid an over-voltage event across one or more switching devices of the power supply system. The controlling is based on switching overlap information that includes instructions for either advancing or retarding a switching signal associated with at least one of the switching devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for branch prediction include detecting a subset of branch instructions which are not fixed direction branch instructions, and for this subset of branch instructions, utilizing complex branch prediction mechanisms such as a neural branch predictor. Detecting the subset of branch instructions includes using a state machine to determine the branch instructions whose outcomes change between a taken direction and a not-taken direction in separate instances of their execution. For the remaining branch instructions which are fixed direction branch instructions, the complex branch prediction techniques are avoided.

Abstract: Techniques for wired and wireless charging of electronic devices are provided. An example of a method for charging a device according to the disclosure includes receiving a signal from a power source with an electronic circuit, such that the electronic circuit includes a synchronous rectifier comprising a first phase leg and a second phase leg, utilizing the first phase leg to implement synchronous rectification and the second phase leg to implement a single phase buck converter when the signal is a wireless signal received from the power source, utilizing the first phase leg and the second phase leg to implement a multi-phase buck converter when the signal is received from a wired power source, and providing an output signal with the electronic circuit.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for detecting and powering a wireless receiver. An exemplary method generally includes scanning an area using a first plurality of ultrasonic pressure waves emitted from ultrasonic transducers on an ultrasonic phased array of ultrasonic transducers, detecting a first device in the area and determining a location of the first device in the area based on the scanning, and delivering a second plurality of ultrasonic pressure waves to the location of the first device in the area for powering the first device using the ultrasonic phased array of ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: An aspect of this disclosure is an apparatus for receiving power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power transmission circuit and a power transceiver circuit. The power transmission circuit has a first antenna and is configured to provide power sufficient to charge a receiver via a first magnetic field. The power transmission circuit experiences a level of impedance based at least in part on an impedance of the receiver. The power transceiver circuit has a transceiver impedance and operates in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the power transceiver circuit is configured to generate a second magnetic field. In the second mode, the power transceiver circuit is configured to receive power from the first magnetic field and maintain the level of impedance experienced by the power transmission circuit within a target impedance range based on controlling variations in the transceiver impedance.

Abstract: A wireless power receiver includes: a power-receiving antenna configured to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter; power-processing circuitry that is coupled to the power-receiving antenna to receive power from the power-receiving antenna and that is configured to process the power received from the power-receiving antenna; and a controller communicatively coupled to the power-processing circuitry and configured to: determine a value of a dynamic parameter indicative of at least one of content of the power-processing circuitry, operation of the power-processing circuitry, or a relationship between the receiver and the transmitter; and determine an estimated impedance using the value of the dynamic parameter, the estimated impedance being an estimate of at least a portion of reflected impedance presented to the transmitter by the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes aspects of a multiphysics energy harvester for implants. In some aspects, an apparatus includes a multiphysics energy (MPE) harvester to harvest energy from at least a first and second type of wireless power transfer signal. The MPE harvester includes a first harvesting component configured to react to the first type of wireless power transfer signal, effective to harvest energy from the first type of wireless power transfer signal. The MPE harvester also includes a second harvesting component that is integral with the first harvesting component. The second harvesting component is configured to react to the second type of wireless power transfer signal simultaneously as the first harvesting component reacts to the first type of wireless power transfer signal. The reactions of the second harvesting component are effective to harvest energy from the second type of wireless power transfer signal.