Abstract: Disclosed is a plug-in accessory for operating a mobile device as an external controller for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). The accessory includes a connector insertable into a port on the mobile device. Accessory circuitry can be powered by a battery or by the mobile device. An application on the mobile device in conjunction with the accessory configures the mobile phone for immediate use as an IMD external controller. When the accessory is inserted into the port or a switch on the accessory pressed, the application operates to validate the accessory; to unlock the phone; to secure the mobile device; and to render a graphical user interface on the mobile device for communicating with the IMD. The accessory can additionally include telemetry circuitry and an antenna for communicating with the IMD, rather than using short-range communication means provided in the mobile device itself.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the sense coils are preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine one or more parameters (magnitude, phase angle, resonant frequency) indicative of the position between the charging coil and the IMD, which position may include the radial offset and possibly also the depth of the charging coil relative to the IMD. Knowing the position, the power of the magnetic field produced by the charging coil can be adjusted to compensate for the position.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the sense coils are preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine one or more parameters (magnitude, phase angle, resonant frequency) indicative of the position between the charging coil and the IMD, which position may include the radial offset and possibly also the depth of the charging coil relative to the IMD. Knowing the position, the power of the magnetic field produced by the charging coil can be adjusted to compensate for the position.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are disclosed which are capable of wirelessly receiving power from a magnetic field to power the IMD or charge its battery, but which do not use a wire-wound coil for magnetic field reception. The IMD can include a case housing control circuitry for the IMD, in which at least a portion of the case is conductive, with a case current formed in the conductive case portion in response to the magnetic field. The IMD includes power reception circuitry inside the case, and includes various examples of first and second electrical connections used to divert at least some of the case current as a power current to the power reception circuitry, thus allowing the power reception circuitry to use the power current to provide power to the IMD or to charge its battery.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine the resonant frequency of the charging coil/IMD coupled system. The determined resonant frequency can then be used to determine the position of the charging coil relative to the IMD. The magnetic field produced from the charging coil may also be driven at the resonant frequency to optimize power transfer to the IMD.

Abstract: A design for an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed in which a charging coil and a short-range RF antenna in the IMD's header are physically integrated, and in which the short-range RF antenna includes intentional coupling to the charging coil. A pick-up is capacitively coupled to the charging coil in the header, such as by wrapping the pick-up at least partially around the turns of the charging coil. The charging coil is used to receive power via a magnetic inductive link at a first (preferably lower) frequency, while the combined charging coil and pick-up—together acting as the short-range RF antenna—receive and transmit short-range RF data (e.g., Bluetooth) via a short-range RF data link at a second (preferably higher) frequency. Resonance of the charging coil and short-range RF antenna can be independently tuned, and circuitry can prevent interference between them.

Abstract: A design for an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed in which a charging coil and a short-range RF antenna in the IMD's header are physically integrated, and in which the short-range RF antenna includes intentional coupling to the charging coil. A pick-up is capacitively coupled to the charging coil in the header, such as by wrapping the pick-up at least partially around the turns of the charging coil. The charging coil is used to receive power via a magnetic inductive link at a first (preferably lower) frequency, while the combined charging coil and pick-up—together acting as the short-range RF antenna—receive and transmit short-range RF data (e.g., Bluetooth) via a short-range RF data link at a second (preferably higher) frequency. Resonance of the charging coil and short-range RF antenna can be independently tuned, and circuitry can prevent interference between them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug-in accessory for operating a mobile device as an external controller for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). The accessory includes a connector insertable into a port on the mobile device. Accessory circuitry can be powered by a battery or by the mobile device. An application on the mobile device in conjunction with the accessory configures the mobile phone for immediate use as an IMD external controller. When the accessory is inserted into the port or a switch on the accessory pressed, the application operates to validate the accessory; to unlock the phone; to secure the mobile device; and to render a graphical user interface on the mobile device for communicating with the IMD. The accessory can additionally include telemetry circuitry and an antenna for communicating with the IMD, rather than using short-range communication means provided in the mobile device itself.

Abstract: A wearable article for receiving and retaining a charger for charging a medical device implanted into a patient includes a coil-assembly cavity and first and second controller cavities defined between first and second major surfaces of a body of the wearable article. The coil-assembly cavity is configured to retain a coil assembly of the charger, and the first and second controller cavities are each configured to receive at least a portion of a controller of the charger. A controller slit is defined along the first major surface and is open to both the first and second controller cavities. The first controller cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the controller with a user interface of the controller extending or observable through the controller slit or disposed in the second controller cavity.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD. A charging algorithm is also disclosed that control charging dependent on these conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug-in accessory for operating a mobile device as an external controller for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). The accessory includes a connector insertable into a port on the mobile device. Accessory circuitry can be powered by a battery or by the mobile device. An application on the mobile device in conjunction with the accessory configures the mobile phone for immediate use as an IMD external controller. When the accessory is inserted into the port or a switch on the accessory pressed, the application operates to validate the accessory; to unlock the phone; to secure the mobile device; and to render a graphical user interface on the mobile device for communicating with the IMD. The accessory can additionally include telemetry circuitry and an antenna for communicating with the IMD, rather than using short-range communication means provided in the mobile device itself.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. The magnitude of one or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be measured to determine the position of the charging coil relative to the IMD, and in particular whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD.

Abstract: A control module for an electrical stimulation system includes an electronics housing; an electronic subassembly disposed within the electronics housing; a power source housing disposed adjacent to, and in contact with, the electronics housing; a power source disposed within the power source housing; and an interface with at least one feedthrough pin extending to electrically coupled the power source and the electronic subassembly to provide power from the power source to the electronic subassembly.

Abstract: Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted at a plurality of different frequencies to an implanted medical device. The magnitude of the transmitted electrical energy respectively measured at the plurality of frequencies. One of the frequencies is selected based on the measured magnitude of the electrical energy (e.g., the frequency at which the measured magnitude of the electrical energy is the greatest). A depth level at which the medical device is implanted within the patient is determined based on the selected frequency. For example, the depth level may be determined to be relatively shallow if the selected frequency is relatively high, and relatively deep if the selected frequency is relative low. A charge strength threshold at which a charge strength indicator generates a user-discernible signal can then be set based on the determined depth level.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. The magnitude of one or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be measured to determine the position of the charging coil relative to the IMD, and in particular whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD. A charging algorithm is also disclosed that control charging dependent on these conditions.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the sense coils are preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine a phase angle between the voltage and a driving signal for the charging coil. The determined phase angle can then be used to determine the position of the charging coil relative to the IMD. Additionally, more than one parameter (phase angle, magnitude, resonant frequency) may be determined using the voltage may be used to determine position, including the radial offset and depth of the charging coil relative to the IMD.

Abstract: Disclosed in an improved medical implantable device system including an improved external charger that is able to communicate with an external controller and IPG using the communication protocol (e.g., FSK) used to implement communications between the external controller and the implant. The external controller as modified uses its charging coil to charge the implant, and also to communicate with the other devices in the system. As such, the external charger is provided with transceiver circuitry operating in accordance with the protocol, and also includes tuning circuitry to tune the coil as necessary for communications or charging. Communication or charging access to the charging coil in the external charger is time multiplexed. The disclosed system allows charging information to be provided to the user interface of the external controller so that it can be reviewed by the user, who may take corrective action if necessary.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. The magnitude of one or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be measured to determine the position of the charging coil relative to the IMD, and in particular whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD.

Abstract: A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils. The charging coil and one or more sense coils are preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the one or more sense coils are concentric with the charging coil and preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine whether the charging coil is (i) centered, (ii) not centered but not misaligned, or (iii) misaligned, with respect to the IMD being charged, which three conditions sequentially comprise lower coupling between the charging coil and the IMD. A charging algorithm is also disclosed that control charging dependent on these conditions.