Techniques for controlling charging of batteries in an external charger and an implantable medical device
US8644933B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J2310/23
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are charging algorithms implementable in an external charger for controlling the charging of both an external battery in the external charger and an implant battery in an implantable medical device. Because full-powered simultaneous charging of both batteries can generate excessive heat in the external charger, the various charging algorithms are designed to ensure that both batteries are ultimately charged, but in a manner considerate of heat generation. In some embodiments, the charging algorithms prevent simultaneous charging of both batteries by arbitrating which battery is given charging precedence at a given point in time. In other embodiments, the charging algorithms allow for simultaneous charging of both batteries, but with at least one of the batteries being only weakly charged at low power levels. In other embodiments, the temperature generated in the external charger is monitored and used to control the charging algorithm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.