Patent · US Active

Concentric primary coils for inductively charging an implantable medical device, external power source and method

US8229567B2 · kind B2 · utility

46Cited by
6References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2008
Grant dateJul 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 19, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/37229
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An external antenna with a plurality of concentric primary coils recharges an implantable medical device with a secondary coil when the primary coils are placed in proximity of the secondary coil. Selection circuitry determines which of the plurality of concentric primary coils has the most efficient coupling with the secondary coil and drive circuitry drives the selected primary coil with an oscillating current. During a recharge session, selection circuitry periodically checks at least some of the primary coils to determine whether the primary coil with the most efficient connection has changed. An antenna housing may hold the primary coils in a rigid planar relationship with each other or the primary coils may shift with respect to each other, forming a cup-shape around a bulge in the skin created by the implantable medical device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.