Energy Source Outside Generator Body Patents (Class 607/61)
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Patent number: 10814807Abstract: A wireless charger for a mobile terminal in a vehicle includes a power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to a first mobile terminal and a processor configured to acquire model information of the first mobile terminal and to adjust parameters of the power based on the model information.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Younghak Lee
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Patent number: 10813744Abstract: An intraocular implant (IOI) includes a lens structure with variable optical power, a sensor that detects an optical accommodation response, a rechargeable power storage device, a recharging interface, a wireless communication interface, and a controller. The controller can receive information from the sensor indicating an optical accommodation response, control the lens structure to vary the variable optical power based on the information received from the sensor, control the recharging interface to recharge the rechargeable power storage device, and further control the recharging interface to receive power for operation of the IOI, and transmit and receive information through the wireless communication interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignees: Greatbatch Ltd., Elenza, Inc.Inventors: Amitava Gupta, Rudy Mazzocchi, Roel Trip, Brian Peterson, George Cintra, Joey Chen, Leslie Halberg
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Patent number: 10727684Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes a converter, a resonator, and a controller. The converter includes switching elements forming a bridge circuit, and is configured to output an alternating current (AC) voltage in response to control signals. The resonator includes a resonant capacitor and a resonant coil, and is configured to receive the AC voltage to wirelessly transmit power. The controller is configured to perform a first mode operation in which a duty of the control signals is fixed, a frequency of one of the control signals is varied and the control signals are output, and a second mode operation in which a frequency of the control signals is fixed, a duty of one of the control signals is reduced and the control signals are output.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: WITS Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung Ho Son, Keun Soo Ha, Yun Ki Hong, Seung Won Park, Eun Young Shin, Dae Sik Kim
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Patent number: 10707692Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed that allow recharging a power source located in an implanted medical device implanted in a patient, the recharging device comprising first and second pairs of electrical coils configured to generate first and second uniform magnetic fields in overlapping first and second cylindrical regions located between the respective pairs of electrical coils.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Craig L. Schmidt, Gordon O. Munns
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Patent number: 10695476Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and communications are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system comprises an external transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power, an implantable receive resonator configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the transmit resonator, and a user interface device comprising a resonant coil circuit, the resonant coil circuit being configured to receive magnetic communication signals from the transmit resonator or the receive resonator and to display information relating to the magnetic communication signals to a user of the user interface device.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: TC1 LLCInventor: John Freddy Hansen
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Patent number: 10682521Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for transcutaneous charging of implanted medical devices are provided herein. Such devices include a portable charging device and an attachment device for affixing the portable charging device to a skin of the patient in a suitable location and alignment over the implanted medical device to facilitate charging. The attachment device can include a frame having an opening through which the charging device is mounted and one or more tabs extending laterally from the opening, each tab including an adhesive surface and being movable from a first position extending away from a skin of the patient to facilitate positioning of the charging device and a second position extending toward the skin of the patient so as to engage the skin of the patient and affix the charging device to the patient after being properly positioned.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: AXONICS MODULATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Guangqiang Jiang, Dennis Schroeder, Raymond W. Cohen
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Patent number: 10668197Abstract: An improved wireless transmission system for transferring power over a distance. The system includes a transmitter generating a magnetic field and a receiver for inducing a voltage in response to the magnetic field. In various respects, the receiver is configured to be implanted in a body. The receiver may include a housing enclosing a receiving coil and associated electronic components, a covering around at least a portion of the housing, and at least two wires wrapped around the housing to form a plurality of turns. The covering may be formed of a ferrite material configured to both magnetically shield a respective portion of the internal volume of the housing and redirect incoming magnetic flux from the transmitter to improve efficiency. Methods of use are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: TC1 LLCInventor: John Freddy Hansen
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Patent number: 10652667Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for supporting different load conditions in a data/power link. In one example, a device includes a transformer that has a first tap with a first turns ratio and a second tap with a second turns ratio. The device further includes electronics and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to selectively couple the electronics to the first tap of the transformer for a first application and to couple the electronics to the second tap of the transformer for a second application.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Fort, Werner Meskens
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Patent number: 10632317Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to techniques for separately transferring power and data from an external device to an implantable component of a partially or fully implantable medical device. The separated power and data transfer techniques use a single external coil and a single implantable coil. The external coil is part of an external resonant circuit, while the implantable coil is part of an implantable resonant circuit. The external coil is configured to transcutaneously transfer power and data to the implantable coil using separate (different) power and data time slots. At least one of the external or internal resonant circuit is substantially more damped during the data time slot than during the power time slot.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventor: Werner Meskens
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Patent number: 10636566Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless energy transfer are described. A transmitter unit has a transmitter resonator with a coil that is coupled to a power supply to wirelessly transmit power to a receiver unit. A receiver unit has a receiver resonator with a coil coupled to a device load. At least one of the resonators is a malleable, non-planar resonator that can be bent and shaped to conform to a patient's anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: TC1 LLCInventors: Carine Hoarau, Steven Reichenbach, Don Hannula
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Patent number: 10632319Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventors: Daniel Aghassian, Thomas W. Stouffer, Jonathan Larcom, Gaurav Gupta
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Patent number: 10615709Abstract: A rectifier for wireless power transfer is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: DRAYSON TECHNOLOGIES (EUROPE) LIMITEDInventors: Samer Aldhaher, Manuel Pinuela Rangel, Paul David Mitcheson, David Christopher Yates
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Patent number: 10589108Abstract: A system for providing energy to a bio-implantable medical device includes an acoustic energy delivery device and a bio-implantable electroacoustical energy converter. The acoustic energy delivery device generates acoustic energy with a multi-dimensional array of transmitting electroacoustical transducers. The acoustic energy is received by one or more receiving electroacoustical transducers in the bio-implantable electroacoustical energy converter. The receiving electroacoustical transducers convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy to power the bio-implantable medical device directly or indirectly. An external alignment system provides lateral and/or angular positioning of an ultrasound energy transmitter over an ultrasound energy receiver. The acoustic energy transmitter alignment system comprises either or both x-y-z plus angular positioning components, and/or a substantially multi-dimensional array of transmitters plus position sensors in both the transmitter and receiver units.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Piezo Energy Technologies LLCInventors: Leon J. Radziemski, Inder Raj Singh Makin, Harry Jabs, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi
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Patent number: 10505399Abstract: An apparatus for the contactless, inductive transmission of energy from a primary portion a secondary portion includes at least one coil in each portion which are inductively coupled to each other. The primary portion and the secondary portion include at least one magnetic field sensor and are arranged to determine a position of the secondary portion relative to the primary portion using a magnetic field generated by the coils and measured with the aid of the magnetic field sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Steinmetz, Olaf Grünberg
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Patent number: 10505575Abstract: The present invention is disclosing a smart wearable accessory that comprises a belt portion and a buckle portion. Belt portion has a first end and a second end, and comprises a first set of output devices positioned at one or more points. Buckle portion has a housing upon which a mobile device is mounted. Housing comprises one or more sensors that generate a signal when non-contact time duration of said mobile device unmounted from said housing exceeds a first threshold value, and proximity distance between said one or more sensors and said unmounted mobile device exceeds a second threshold value. Housing further comprises a charging terminal that is electrically connectable with said mobile device, and a second set of output devices. Housing further comprises a microprocessor that activates said first and/or said second set of output devices based on said signal received from said one or more sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Inventor: Waterloo Cherenfant
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Patent number: 10491041Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiving system for an electronic device includes: a first inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a first frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a first direction; and a second inductor coil configured to receive power primarily at a second frequency and from magnetic fields propagating in a second direction, wherein the first frequency is different than the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Wittenberg, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Stefan A. Kowalski, Christopher S. Graham, Morgan T. McClure, Erik G. de Jong, Trevor J. Ness, Peter J. Kardassakis, Jayesh Nath, Adam T. Clavelle, Rex Tyler Ehman
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Patent number: 10491027Abstract: Techniques for modifying the electrical current distribution of transmit coil of a wireless power transmitting unit are described. An example power transmitting unit includes a transmit coil configured to generate a magnetic field to wirelessly power a device within an active wireless charging area. The power transmitting unit can also include a power source to transmit an alternating electrical current to an input terminal of the transmit coil and a plurality of reactive elements placed in series with the transmit coil. In some examples, the plurality of reactive elements attach to the transmit coil at least a quarter of a turn from the input terminal. The power transmitting unit can also include a controller to modify a reactance value of the reactive elements to adjust a current distribution of the transmit coil in response to detecting a characteristic of a power receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Essam Elkhouly, Songnan Yang, Zhen Yao
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Patent number: 10483024Abstract: A coil electronic component including: a substrate; a coil pattern disposed on at least one surface of the substrate; a body filling at least a core area of the coil pattern and containing a magnetic material; and a magnetic flux controller disposed at an outer surface of the body to correspond to the core area and containing a magnetic material which has a permittivity value higher than that of the magnetic material of the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Dong Jin Jeong
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Patent number: 10469963Abstract: An external portion of an auditory prosthesis includes magnets, electronics, and other components. In bone conduction auditory prostheses, reducing the amount of mass subject to vibrations in an auditory prosthesis has a positive effect on tuning of the device. One way of reducing such mass is to resiliently more massive components within the auditory prosthesis housing. Such resilient mounting reduces the dampening effect that these massive components have on vibrations generated by the prosthesis. When electronic components are suspended, feedback to said components is also reduced, resulting improved performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Marcus Andersson, Johan Gustafsson, Dan Nyström, Henrik Fyrlund
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Patent number: 10454530Abstract: A near-field communication circuit includes an oscillating circuit having a controllable capacitor. A control circuit is coupled to the oscillating circuit to control the controllable capacitor. A battery is coupled to the control circuit to enable control when the near-field communication circuit is in a standby mode. The near-field communication circuit can be utilized by a mobile communication device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventor: Alexandre Tramoni
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Patent number: 10449377Abstract: Systems and devices for a high-efficiency magnetic link for implantable devices are disclosed herein. These devices can include a charging coil located in the implantable device and a charging coil located in a charge head of a charger. The charging coils can each include an elongate core and wire windings wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the elongate core. The charging coil of the charge head can be attached to a rotatable mount, which can be used to align the longitudinal axis of the charging coil of the charge head with longitudinal axis of the implantable device such that the axes of the charging coils are parallel.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Brian R. Dearden, Glen A. Griffith
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Patent number: 10441344Abstract: A surgical apparatus for facilitating testing nerves during HF surgery. The surgical apparatus comprises a converter for converting a high-frequency treatment current into a nerve stimulating current. A controllable selector switch optionally feeds either the treatment current or the nerve stimulating current to the electrosurgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBHInventors: Juergen Notz, Juergen Beller
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Patent number: 10426371Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a muscle condition measurement sheet that can quantitatively detect the amplitude and latency of an evoked electromyogram EMG or an evoked mechanomyogram MMG and correctly evaluate the state of activity of a muscle. A pair of stimulating electrodes and all myoelectric detection electrodes come into intimate contact with a body surface of a muscle, appearing on a back surface of an insulating sheet spaced at predetermined intervals; accordingly, the relative position between an electrical stimulation position and the myoelectric detection electrode is fixed and the amplitude and latency of the evoked electromyogram EMG can be quantitatively detected without depending on the stimulation position of an electrical stimulation signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignees: SMK Corporation, Umemura Educational InstitutionsInventors: Kohei Watanabe, Koichiro Ejiri, Haruhiko Kondo, Tsubasa Tanaka
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Patent number: 10411493Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to apparatus and techniques for wireless charging. One example apparatus generally includes a plurality of inductive elements and signal generation circuitry coupled to the plurality of inductive elements and configured to generate a plurality of signals, where at least two signals of the plurality of signals have different magnitudes. In certain aspects, the signal generation circuitry is configured to drive the plurality of inductive elements using the plurality of signals, where at least one first inductive element of the plurality of inductive elements is driven using at least one first signal of the plurality of signals having a first phase and at least one second inductive element of the plurality of inductive elements is driven using at least one second signal of the plurality of signals having a second phase different from the first phase.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: William Henry Von Novak, III, Mark White, II, Seong Heon Jeong
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Patent number: 10397715Abstract: A method performed by a device includes generating a first signal in accordance with a first set of one or more operational settings, and determining whether the signal has an acceptable data integrity. If the device determines that the signal has an acceptable data integrity, the method includes maintaining a configuration of the device with the first set of one or more operational settings. If the device determines that the signal does not have an acceptable data integrity, then the method includes automatically configuring the device with a second set of one or more operational settings. The configuration of the device ith the first set of one or more operational settings is associated with greater power efficiency than the configuration of the device with the second set of one or more operational settings.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Andrew D. Fort
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Patent number: 10369275Abstract: A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. A sensor may be used to measure a parameter that correlates to a temperature of the system that occurs during the transcutaneous coupling of energy. For example, the sensor may measure temperature of a surface of an antenna of the external power source. The measured parameter may then be compared to a programmable limit. A control circuit such as may be provided by the external power source may then control the temperature based on the comparison. The programmable limit may be, for example, under software control so that the temperature occurring during transcutaneous coupling of energy may be modified to fit then-current circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David P. Olson, William C. Phillips, Andrew L. Schmeling
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Patent number: 10373756Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless energy transfer are described. A transmitter unit has a transmitter resonator with a coil that is coupled to a power supply to wirelessly transmit power to a receiver unit. A receiver unit has a receiver resonator with a coil coupled to a device load. At least one of the resonators is a malleable, non-planar resonator that can be bent and shaped to conform to a patient's anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: TC1 LLCInventors: Carine Hoarau, Steven Reichenbach, Don Hannula
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Patent number: 10357659Abstract: An external charger includes at least one coil antenna, comprised of one or more loops of wire, and a coil excitation system connected to the at least one coil antenna. The coil excitation system is configured to drive the one or more loops or wire with alternating current to generate a magnetic field that is configured to induce current in at least one implantable coil of an implantable medical device. The external charger also includes an electrical non-conductive safeguard enclosure disposed around the one or more loops of wire. The coil safeguard enclosure is configured to prevent the implantable medical device from being positioned within a predetermined vicinity of the one or more loops of wire.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventor: Werner Meskens
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Patent number: 10350420Abstract: Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include a plurality of field customization coils for customizing the magnetic charging field generated by the external charger such that the magnetic charging field is not radially symmetric. For example, one embodiment includes a primary coil with a plurality of field customization coils distributed radially with respect to the coil. The generated magnetic charging field can be rendered radially asymmetric by selectively activating or disabling the field customization coils in response to data quantifying the coupling between the various implants and the field customization coils in the charger.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Andrew DiGiore, Todd Whitehurst
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Patent number: 10333352Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for controlling a power level of wireless power transfer. Certain aspects provide a wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver includes an antenna and a rectifier. The rectifier includes a first diode and a second diode. The wireless power receiver further includes a resistor in parallel with the first diode. A first terminal of the resistor is coupled to a first terminal of the first diode. A second terminal of the resistor is coupled to a second terminal of the first diode.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: William Henry Von Novak, III, Linda Stacey Irish, Cody Burton Wheeland, Seong Heon Jeong
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Patent number: 10300276Abstract: A cochlear implant is disclosed including a cochlear lead, an antenna, a stimulation processor, a magnet apparatus, associated with the antenna, including a case, a divider, and a plurality of magnetic material particles that are movable relative to one another within sub-volumes defined by the divider.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Advanced Bionics AGInventors: Sung Jin Lee, James George Elcoate Smith
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Patent number: 10293173Abstract: A method and system for supplying energy to an electrically operable medical device (100) implanted in a patient. Wireless energy is transferred from an external energy source (104) located outside the patient to an internal energy receiver (102) located inside the patient and connected to the medical device. An internal control unit (108) determines an amount of energy currently required for the operation of said medical device. A control signal is transmitted to the external energy source, reflecting the required amount of energy. An external control unit (106) controls the amount of transferred energy in response to the control signal, by adjusting the energy transfer efficiency from the external energy source to the internal energy receiver. The energy transfer efficiency is adjusted by adjusting the position of a primary coil, serving as the external energy source, relative to an implanted secondary coil, serving as the internal energy source.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Inventor: Forsell Peter
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Patent number: 10286206Abstract: An electrode cuff includes a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion. The first elongate portion is configured to removably contact a length of a nerve while the second elongate portion extends outwardly at an angle relative to a first side edge of the first elongate portion to at least partially wrap about the nerve. The electrode cuff includes a first series of electrodes that is spaced apart longitudinally along the first elongate portion. A width of the second elongate portion is sized to fit between adjacent branches extending from a nerve.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Blake D. Johnson, Mark Christopherson, John Rondoni, Quan Ni
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Patent number: 10265533Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for protecting an implantable component of a medical device from the buildup of excessive heat following a charging process. In one embodiment, the implantable component includes a resonant tank circuit that includes an implantable coil that receives power from the external charging device via an inductive link. The implantable component includes a rechargeable battery that is electrically connected to the resonant tank circuit and that can be recharged using the power received from the external charging device. A controller in the implantable component is configured to determine when charging of the rechargeable battery should be terminated and, in response, detune the resonant tank circuit in accordance with a predetermined pattern to signal to the external charging device that charging of the rechargeable battery should be terminated.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Werner Meskens, Oliver John Ridler, Robert Graham Bennett
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Patent number: 10258804Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are configured for cooling tissue during recharge of an implantable medical device (IMD) battery. In one example, a method includes charging, by an inductive charger, a rechargeable battery of an implantable medical device (IMD) within a patient, wherein the IMD comprises a housing that houses the rechargeable battery, and wherein a primary coil of the inductive charger is positioned above a region of skin of the patient proximate to the IMD. The example method further includes cooling, by a heat exchanger, the region of skin below a normal ambient surface temperature of the region of skin, wherein the heat exchanger is interposed between the primary coil and the region of skin.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Erik R. Scott, Kunal Paralikar
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Patent number: 10251987Abstract: An improved wireless transmission system for transferring power over a distance. The system includes a transmitter generating a magnetic field and a receiver for inducing a voltage in response to the magnetic field. In various respects, the receiver is configured to be implanted in a body. The receiver may include a housing enclosing a receiving coil and associated electronic components, a covering around at least a portion of the housing, and at least two wires wrapped around the housing to form a plurality of turns. The covering may be formed of a ferrite material configured to both magnetically shield a respective portion of the internal volume of the housing and redirect incoming magnetic flux from the transmitter to improve efficiency. Methods of use are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: TC1 LLCInventor: John Freddy Hansen
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Patent number: 10226636Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for estimating energy transfer to tissue of a patient during battery charging for an implantable medical device are disclosed. Implantable medical devices may include a rechargeable power source that can be transcutaneously charged. An external charging device may calculate an estimated energy transfer to tissue of the patient that may include a resistive heat loss from the rechargeable power source and/or electromagnetic energy transfer directly to tissue. Based on the estimated energy transfer, the external charging device may select a power level for charging of the rechargeable power source. In one example, the charging device may select a high power level when the estimated energy transfer has not exceeded an energy transfer threshold and select a low power level when the estimated energy transfer has exceeded the energy transfer threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Venkat R. Gaddam, Reid K. Bornhoft, David P. Olson, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa
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Patent number: 10213538Abstract: An implant device includes a housing and an energy receiving element disposed in the housing. The energy receiving element is configured to be electrically connected to an energy-consuming device. The implant device is configured to be mounted within a body of a human or non-human animal. The housing includes a feature configured to be accessible through skin of the animal and to receive a corresponding mating member of an external charger including an energy transmitting element. The energy receiving element is configured to receive energy wirelessly from the energy transmitting element when the external charger is mated with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.Inventor: John Rudser
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Patent number: 10199852Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of charging a medical device includes receiving radiofrequency signals from a remote machine remote from the medical device via a receiver of the medical device. The method includes converting the radiofrequency signals into electrical energy via a generator of the medical device. The method includes storing the electrical energy in an energy cell of the medical device. The method also includes powering a power consumption component of the medical device by transmitting the energy from the energy cell to the power consumption component.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Donovan Halliburton, Alexander Joseph Brown, Kelly Yik
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Patent number: 10170937Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for wireless receiving power comprises a receive circuit configured to receive wireless power via a magnetic field sufficient to power or charge a load. The apparatus further comprises a tuning circuit comprising a variable reactive element, coupled to the receive circuit, and configured to detune the receive circuit away from a resonant frequency to adjust an output power level to a first output power level. The apparatus comprises a rectifier, comprising a switch, coupled to the receive circuit and configured to rectify an alternating current to a direct current for supplying power to the load. The apparatus comprises a drive circuit configured to actuate the switch when a current through the switch satisfies a first non-zero current value and adjust the first non-zero current value to a second non-zero value to adjust the first output power level to a second output power level.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Paolo Menegoli
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Patent number: 10137304Abstract: Techniques are described in this disclosure for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient over multiple channels, with independent rate control for each channel, using a single stimulation generator. In one example, the disclosure describes a method for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient that includes delivering first electrical stimulation pulses at a first programmed rate on a first channel using a stimulation generator, and delivering second electrical stimulation pulses at a second programmed rate on a second channel using the stimulation generator, the second programmed rate being different than the first programmed rate, and the second programmed rate being independent of the first programmed rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Todd A. Kallmyer
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Patent number: 10135296Abstract: A coil structure for wireless power transmissions includes: a body having a cylindrical shape; an upper transmission coil formed on the body and configured to generate an electromagnetic field passing through an upper surface of the body; and at least one side transmission coil formed on the body and configured to generate an electromagnetic field passing through a side surface of the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: In Wha Jeong, Jong Heum Park, Hugh Kim
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Patent number: 10132650Abstract: A wireless power transmitter may include a transmit coil configured to generate a wireless power signal for wireless power transfer, at least one secondary sensing coil configured to generate a signal responsive to a magnetic flux field generated during the wireless power transfer, and control logic configured to detect at least one condition of a wireless power transfer system responsive to detecting distortion in the magnetic flux field from the at least one signal received from the secondary sensing coil. A related method may include generating with a wireless power transmitter a wireless power signal, generating with a plurality of secondary sensing coils one or more signals responsive to a magnetic flux field generated during the wireless power transfer, and detecting at least one condition of a wireless power transfer system responsive to the one or more signals generated by the plurality of secondary sensing coils.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gustavo J. Mehas, David F. Wilson, Nicholaus W. Smith
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Patent number: 10118054Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Michel M. Maharbiz, Jose M. Carmena, Mekhail Anwar, Burak A. Ozilgen, Dongjin Seo, Federica Fava
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Patent number: 10112045Abstract: An assembly includes an implantable medical device (IMD) including a conductive housing, and a fixation element assembly attached to the IMD. The fixation element assembly includes a set of active fixation tines and an insulator to electrically isolate the set of active fixation tines from the conductive housing of the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Anderson, Douglas D. Nippoldt, Richard W. Swenson, III, Vladimir Grubac, Matthew D. Bonner, Raymond W. Usher, Arshad A. Alfoqaha
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Patent number: 10110065Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electronic circuit for use in process automation for transferring electrical energy from a terminal element to a sensor over an inductively coupled interface. The sensor measures the power it receives over the inductive interface and compares this value to a target power value. The difference between the actual and target values is communicated back to the terminal element. The terminal element adjusts its power output to the sensor to minimize this difference. The disclosure includes the use of the electronic circuit and a sensor arrangement comprising the electronic circuit, as well as a method for transmitting power.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KGInventor: Sven-Matthias Scheibe
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Patent number: 10103559Abstract: A system and method for using statistical analysis of information obtained during a rechargeable battery charging session, wherein the method is for optimizing one or more parameters that are used for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery during the charging session.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Nuvectra CorporationInventors: Benjamin Cottrill, Les Halberg, Michael Labbe, Joey Chen
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Patent number: 10080893Abstract: A prosthesis including an external device and an implantable component. The external device includes a first inductive communication component. The implantable component includes a second inductive communication component, wherein the implantable component is configured to be implanted under skin of a recipient. The external device is configured to transmit power via magnetic induction transcutaneoulsy to the implantable component via the second inductive communication component. The internal component is configured to receive at least a portion of the power transmitted from the external device via the inductive communication component. At least one of the first and second inductive communication components comprise an inductive communication component configured to vary its effective coil area.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Werner Meskens
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Patent number: 10079508Abstract: A wireless power receiver may include a receive coil configured to generate an AC power signal, at least one secondary sensing coil configured to generate a measurement signal responsive to a magnetic flux field, and control logic configured to detect at least one condition of a wireless power transfer system responsive to detecting distortion in the magnetic flux field from the at least one measurement signal received from the secondary sensing coil. A related method may include receiving with a wireless power receiver a wireless power signal for wireless power transfer from a wireless power transmitter, generating with a plurality of secondary sensing coils one or more measurement signals responsive to a magnetic flux field generated during the wireless power transfer, and detecting at least one condition of a wireless power transfer system responsive to the one or more measurement signals generated by the plurality of secondary sensing coils.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Gustavo J. Mehas, Vladimir N. Vitchev
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Patent number: 10075029Abstract: The position misalignment detection device includes: a comparator configured to compare an electric current induced by a receiving coil in a receiver (RX) to which an electric power is transmitted from a transmitter (TX) with a non-contact power supply transmitter method; a frequency counter connected to the comparator, the frequency counter configured to count transmit frequency fi transmitted from the transmitter; and a register configured to store a counted value Fi counted by the frequency counter. There is provided the position misalignment detection device which can detect a position misalignment of the receiver on the transmitter during electric charging.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideharu Hayashida, Tatsuya Iwasaki, Takeshi Nozawa, Kazuyoshi Yasuoka