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Publication Number
US-10974052-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a communication and powering system, such as a medical communication and powering system. An example communication and powering system includes at least one communication module with a communication transmitter, which is configured and arranged to transmit and send communication signals, at least one charging and/or powering module with an energy charging and/or powering transmitter, which is configured and arranged to provide and/or transmit charging and/or powering energy, and at least one receiver being a receiver for communication signals and energy, wherein the receiver has and/or can be switched into a first status for receiving communication signals provided by the communication module and wherein the receiver has and/or can be switched into a second status for receiving energy provided by the charging and/or powering module.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a communication and powering system in which a single receiver receives separate communication and charging transmissions. The receiver uses a single antenna and a communication and charging diplexer that form a tank circuit, including a capacitor positioned between the antenna and a switch. The receiver switches between a communication status and a charging status; in one claimed system, it also transmits signals to the communication module.
The method claim describes opening and closing a switch to control transmission of communication signals and charging energy to the receiver’s single antenna. The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem identified there is not explicitly described in patent. The disclosed system is stated to deliver charging energy to an implantable medical device, including an implantable pulse generator.
Claims Coverage
The supplied relevant claims identify three independent claims: claims 1 and 19 cover communication and powering systems, while claim 20 covers a method for operating such a system.
Single receiver for separate communication and charging transmissions
Claim 1 covers a system with communication and charging or powering modules and a single receiver that switches between receiving communication signals and charging energy from separate transmissions. The receiver comprises a single antenna and a communication and charging diplexer that form a tank circuit, with a capacitor positioned between the antenna and a switch.
Controlled receiver statuses and signal transmission
Claim 19 covers a medical communication and powering system with a control unit and memory storing instructions to switch the single receiver between receiving communication signals and receiving energy from separate transmissions. The receiver includes a single antenna and a communication and charging diplexer forming a tank circuit, with a capacitor and a switch positioned between the capacitor and ground; it is also configured to transmit signals to the communication module.
Switch-controlled communication and charging transmissions
Claim 20 covers opening a switch to control transmission of communication signals transcutaneously to the receiver’s single antenna, and closing the switch to control transmission of charging energy to that antenna. The receiver comprises a communication and charging diplexer, and the antenna and diplexer form a tank circuit with a capacitor positioned between the antenna and the switch.
The three independent claims cover a single-antenna receiver for separate communication and charging transmissions, system control of the receiver’s functions, and a switch-controlled method for transmitting communication signals and charging energy.
Stated Advantages
The system reduces the number of receiver components.
The circuitry is simpler and more reliable.
The system supports communication, telemetry, reprogramming, and online power delivery to an implant.
Documented Applications
The system delivers charging energy to an implantable medical device, including an implantable pulse generator.
The system supports communication between an implantable medical device and a communication module, including telemetry and reprogramming.
The disclosure describes transcutaneous transmission of communication signals to the single receiver and transmission of charging energy to that receiver.
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