PORTABLE POWER CHARGING OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES
An implantable medical device, comprising an implantable component having a rechargeable power supply and an external wireless charger. The wireless charger has a rechargeable power supply, and an inductive coil configured to transcutaneously transfer power from the charger power supply to the implantable power supply, and configured to detect and receive, via the inductive coil, power from an auxiliary charger for recharging of the charger power supply.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/838,666, filed Aug. 28, 2015, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/965,415, filed Dec. 10, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,275, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to implantable medical devices, and more particularly, to portable power charging of implantable medical devices.
Related ArtMedical devices having one or more implantable components, generally referred to herein as implantable medical devices, provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients. Certain implantable medical devices, sometimes referred to as active implantable medical devices (AIMDs), include an implantable power supply that provides power to one or more implantable components. AIMDS include, but are not limited to, certain implantable hearing prostheses, neural stimulators, drug pumps and cardiac devices.
One type of hearing prosthesis that is widely used is the partially implantable cochlear implant. Traditionally, partially implantable cochlear implants consist of an external speech processor unit and an implanted receiver/stimulator unit. The external speech processor unit is worn on the body of the user, such as a behind-the-ear (BTE) device. BTE devices are generally configured to receive sound with a sound input element, such as a microphone, and to convert the received sound into an electrically coded data signal that is transcutaneously transferred to the implanted receiver/stimulator unit. The BTE device is also generally configured to transcutaneoulsy transfer power to the implanted receiver and stimulator unit. More particularly, the power and data are transcutaneously transferred via a magnetic induction link established in a reactive near-field between an external coil closely coupled to an implanted coil.
Traditionally, the operating power for the BTE device and implanted components is provided by batteries, such as Zn-Air batteries, housed in the device. The closely coupled coils include an external coil coupled to the BTE device which is configured to be placed in close proximity to the coil of the implanted component. However, due to improvements in power storage technology, it has become more common for implantable hearing prosthesis and other AIMDs to include an implantable power supply that is sufficient to allow for periods of operation without access to an external power source. Such implantable power storage has enabled certain devices, in particular hearing prostheses, to become totally or fully implantable.
In addition to an implantable power supply, totally implantable hearing prostheses also have one or more components that were traditionally external to the recipient, such as the sound processor, implantable in the recipient. Accordingly, totally implantable prostheses to operate independently (that is, without an external device) for periods of time. It would be appreciated that, as used herein, totally or fully implantable hearing prosthesis may include external devices such as microphones, remote controls, etc.
Various implantable power storage systems have been proposed. However, in all implantable systems it remains necessary to transfer power from an external power supply to recharge the implanted power storage system. Devices continue to use the closely coupled external/internal coils to transfer the power, although the headpiece coil is not continuously required for regular operation. Data transfer may occur using alternative wireless links, for example short range EM (electro-magnetic) links (e.g. 400 MHz) or MI (magnetic induction) links (e.g. 10.7 MHz).
SUMMARYIn one aspect of the present invention, a wireless charger of an implantable medical system is provided. The wireless charger comprises a charger power supply; an inductive coil; and a routing system configured to route power provided by the charger power supply to the inductive coil for transcutaneous transfer of the power to an implantable component, and to route power received via the inductive coil from an auxiliary charger to the charger power supply for recharging of the charger power supply.
In another aspect of the present invention, an implantable medical system is provided. The implantable medical system comprises an auxiliary charger; an implantable component including a implantable power supply; and a wireless charger comprising: a charger power supply, and an inductive coil connected to the charger power supply via a circuit enabling the inductive coil to transcutaneously transfer power from the charger power supply to the implantable power supply and to transfer power received from the auxiliary charger to the charger power supply.
In a still other aspect of the present invention, an implantable medical system is provided. The implantable medical system comprises an external auxiliary charger; and an external wireless charger including: a charger power supply, an inductive coil, and a circuit connected between the charger power supply and the inductive coil configured to drive the inductive coil so as to transmit power an implantable power supply, and configured to detect and receive, via the inductive coil, power from the auxiliary charger for recharging of the charger power supply.
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to an implantable medical device or system having an implantable power supply that receives power from wireless charger worn by a recipient of the device. The wireless charger also includes a rechargeable power supply, and is configured to transcutaneously transfer power to the implantable power supply. The wireless charger is also configured to receive power from an auxiliary charger. In certain embodiments, the wireless charger includes one inductive coil that is used to both receive and transmit power.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a particular illustrative implantable medical system, namely a cochlear implant system, commonly referred to as a cochlear prosthesis or simply cochlear implant. It would be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in other medical systems utilizing or requiring periodic transfer of power via an indicative link. Exemplary devices include, but are not limited to, neural or muscle stimulators, drug pumps, cardiac devices, and other hearing prosthesis such as hybrid electrical/acoustic systems, acoustic hearing aid systems, middle ear stimulators, or fully external hearing systems, etc.
As shown, wireless charger 110 includes a radio frequency (RF) headpiece coil 112. Headpiece coil 112 is configured to be inductively coupled to RF coil 116 in implantable component 104 via inductive link 132. Implantable coil 116 is connected to a transceiver unit 128.
As shown, implantable component 104 also includes an implantable power supply, shown as a rechargeable battery unit 118, a stimulator unit 120, an intracochlear electrode assembly 122 and one or more supplementary extracochlear ground electrode(s) 124. In the embodiments of
In the embodiments of
In embodiments of the present invention, wireless charger 110 includes a rechargeable power supply, sometimes referred to herein as charger power supply or battery system 134. In certain embodiments, battery system 134 comprises one or more rechargeable batteries 134. Although for ease of discussion the term battery system is used to refer to the power supply within the charger, it would be appreciated that any rechargeable power source that is able is sufficiently small and is able to fulfill the power requirements of the device may be used. For example, in certain embodiments, a Li-ion or Li-polymer battery unit is used. As is known in the art, such batteries may be shaped to fit perfectly in housings having different geometries. In other embodiments, nickel cadmium, metal hydride, a supercapacitor based system or even energy stored in a spring wound up by a clockwork mechanism may used.
Wireless charger 110 is configured to provide power from battery system 134 to implantable battery unit 118. The power is inductively transferred via link 132. As described further below, battery system 134 of wireless charger 110 is recharged by receiving power from an auxiliary charger via headpiece coil 112.
As previously noted, one or more external accessories 106 may also be worn by the recipient and may communicate with implantable component 104. Specifically, an external accessory 106 is a device that communicates with implantable component 104 via a low-power wireless data link 140. In certain embodiments, an external accessory 106 includes a microphone and/or sound processor. Exemplary external accessories 106 are schematically shown in
As previously noted, coil 112 in wireless charger 110 is used to inductively transfer power to implantable component 104, and to receive power from auxiliary charger 350. Using the same coil for both transmission and receipt of power simplifies the manufacturing process and enhances friendliness and simplicity of use. Accordingly, wireless charger 110 receives power from an auxiliary charger via coil 112 and the received power is routed from the coil to battery recharger 246 and battery system 134.
It would be appreciated that auxiliary charger 350 may have a variety of arrangements. For example, auxiliary charger 350 may be a charging pad, a cradle, a docking station, or any suitable arrangement. Auxiliary charger 350 may also be adapted to charge other devices, for example any externally worn microphone or remote control units.
As shown in
Also as shown in
As noted above, in embodiments of the present invention a wireless charger also operates as an external accessory. That is, the wireless charger includes components of an external accessory, such as a sound processor, microphone, control electronics, etc. In such embodiments, an additional data link may be provided between the wireless charger and the implantable component. However, in certain embodiments, the wireless charger is a simple charging arrangement that does not otherwise interact with the implantable component.
Also shown in
As noted above,
For ease of description, the operation of controller 670 will described with reference to the control process 700 of
Control process begins at block 704 after the wireless charger is powered ON at block 702. More particularly, at block 704 controller 670 of wireless charger 610 initially operates the primary power link for a time duration T1. The primary power link is the link between external coil 612 of wireless charger 610 and the implantable coil. At block 706, controller 670 disables primary power link for a time duration T2, and monitors for the presence of the auxiliary charger. In certain embodiments, T2 is preferably relatively short when compared to T1. Referring to the embodiments of
At block 708, controller 670 performs a check to determine if the auxiliary charger is detected. If the auxiliary charger is not detected, control process 700 returns to block 704 where controller 670 again enables primary power link for T1. This process continues until the auxiliary charger has been detected.
When the auxiliary power source is detected, control process 700 continues to block 710 where controller 670 performs a check of whether the battery is fully charged. If the battery is not fully charged, controller 670 activates the auxiliary link (that is, the link between the wireless charger and the auxiliary charger), and the battery(ies) of the wireless charger are recharged at block 712. If, at block 710, it is determined that the battery(ies) are fully charged, control process 700 returns to block 704. It would be appreciated that control process 700 of
Specifically,
In one embodiment shown in
All references referred to in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Many variations and additions are possible within the general inventive scope.
Claims
1. A sound processor, comprising:
- a battery;
- an inductive coil; and
- a circuit configured to route power from the battery to the inductive coil for transcutaneous transfer of the power to an implantable component, and to route power received via the inductive coil from an auxiliary power source to the battery to recharge the battery,
- wherein the sound processor is configured to detect the presence of an inductive field generated by the auxiliary power source, and, in response to the detection, automatically route power from the inductive coil to the battery.
2. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a routing system, driver, and a battery recharger, and wherein the routing system is connected among the driver, the inductive coil, and the battery recharger.
3. The sound processor of claim 1, wherein the sound processor is further configured to transcutaneously transmit data from the sound processor to the implantable component via the inductive coil.
4. The sound processor of claim 1, further comprising a power detector connected to the inductive coil, wherein the power detector is configured to detect the presence of the inductive field generated by the auxiliary power source.
5. The sound processor of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the circuit so as to enable routing of power from the battery to the inductive coil only during selected time periods.
6. A sound processor, comprising:
- an inductive coil;
- a battery; and
- a circuit connecting the battery to the inductive coil, wherein the circuit is configured to drive the inductive coil with power received from the battery, and to route power received at the inductive coil to the battery.
7. The sound processor of claim 6, wherein the circuit comprises a routing system, a driver, and a battery recharger, wherein the routing system is connected among the driver, the inductive coil, and the battery recharger.
8. The sound processor of claim 6, wherein the inductive coil is further configured to transcutaneously transmit data from the sound processor to an implantable component.
9. The sound processor of claim 6, further comprising an external accessory, wherein the inductive coil is configured to form a bidirectional data link with the external accessory.
10. The sound processor of claim 6, wherein the circuit enables the inductive coil to transcutaneously transfer power from the battery to an implantable component and to transfer power received from an auxiliary power source to the battery.
11. The sound processor of claim 10, wherein the circuit includes a controller configured to enable the transcutaneously transfer of power from the battery to the implantable component via the inductive coil for a first time period, and to disable the transcutaneously transfer of power from the battery to the implantable component via the inductive coil for a second time period.
12. The sound processor of claim 11, wherein the circuit is configured to monitor for the presence of the auxiliary power source during the second time period.
13. The sound processor of claim 12, wherein when the circuit detects the presence of the auxiliary power source, the inductive coil is configured to receive power from the auxiliary power source and the circuit is configured to enable the transfer of power received from the auxiliary power source to the battery.
14. The sound processor of claim 13, wherein before enabling the transfer of power received from the auxiliary power source to the battery, the circuit is configured to perform a check to determine if the battery can accept additional power.
15. The sound processor of claim 6, wherein the sound processor is a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) device.
16. The sound processor of claim 6, wherein the sound processor is a body worn device.
17. A sound processor, comprising:
- a battery;
- an inductive coil; and
- a circuit connected between the battery and the inductive coil, wherein the circuit includes a controller configured to enable transcutaneous transfer of power from the battery to an implantable component via the inductive coil during a first time period, and to disable the transcutaneous transfer of power from the battery to the implantable component via the inductive coil during a second time period.
18. The sound processor of claim 17, wherein the circuit is configured to drive the inductive coil so as to transmit the power to the implantable component, and wherein the circuit is configured to detect and receive, via the inductive coil, power from an auxiliary power source for recharging of the battery.
19. The sound processor of claim 18, wherein the circuit comprises a power detector connected to the inductive coil, wherein the power detector is configured to detect the presence of an inductive field generated by the auxiliary power source.
20. The sound processor of claim 18, wherein the power detector is configured to periodically determine whether the auxiliary power source is capable of supplying power sufficient to recharge the battery.
21. The sound processor of claim 18, wherein in response to detecting the presence of the inductive field generated by the auxiliary power source, the circuit is automatically arranged to route power from the inductive coil to the battery.
22. The sound processor of claim 18, wherein when the circuit detects the presence of the auxiliary power source, the inductive coil is configured to receive power from the auxiliary power source and the circuit is configured to enable the transfer of power received from the auxiliary power source to the battery.
23. The sound processor of claim 22, wherein before enabling the transfer of power received from the auxiliary power source to the battery, the circuit is configured to perform a check to determine if the battery can accept additional power.
24. The sound processor of claim 17, wherein the circuit is further configured to transcutaneously transfer of data from the sound processor to the implantable component via the inductive coil during the second time period.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 22, 2017
Publication Date: Jun 8, 2017
Inventor: Werner Meskens (Opwijk)
Application Number: 15/439,061