Wireless recharging system and method for flexible implantable subcutaneous medical device
Inventors
Amir, Jack • Mocha, Moty • Strommer, Gera • Kelley, James • Broder, Avraham
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11065462-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Subcutaneous implantable medical device (IMD) recharging system, including a flexible rechargeable subcutaneous IMD and a charger transmitter, the flexible rechargeable subcutaneous IMD implanted in a patient and including at least one receiver antenna and at least one rechargeable battery, the charger transmitter including at least one transmitter antenna and a modulator, the charger transmitter for providing electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the receiver antenna wirelessly for recharging the rechargeable battery, the transmitter antenna being encased in a structure for temporarily coupling the transmitter antenna to the skin of the patient and the modulator being for modulating the EM radiation and for simultaneously transmitting programming information to the flexible rechargeable subcutaneous IMD as modulated EM radiation.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a flexible subcutaneous IMD recharging system that includes an implanted flexible IMD having receiver antenna(s) and rechargeable battery/battery-powered ICD electronics, and an external charger transmitter having transmitter antenna(s) and a modulator. The transmitter provides wireless electromagnetic radiation for charging while modulating the electromagnetic radiation to send programming information to the implanted IMD, enabling recharging while communicating data between the transmitter and the IMD.
The IMD construction is an elongated flexible body segmented into links with transition units and outer units, where receiver antennas are positioned in the transition units or around passive outer units to avoid Faraday-cage interference and reduce heating risk. The transition unit couples leads to ends of the elongated and flexible body, and the receiver antenna placement is described within non-metal transition regions or around passive outer units to manage interaction with the body structures during wireless power transfer.
The system further describes transmitter-to-receiver energy transfer with antenna configurations such as a folded 2D flexible foil with overlaid copper and a copper coil around a hollow ferrite core. Receiver and transmitter antenna shapes are described as optimized for cylindrical/omnidirectional reception and high energy transfer, and a receiver interface/control converts received energy to battery charging, monitors efficiency/temperature, and optionally extracts modulated data for simultaneous recharging and programming.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers simultaneous recharging and communication of data to a subcutaneous rechargeable IMD using transmitting electromagnetic radiation over a plurality of frequencies and modulating that electromagnetic radiation, while specifying an IMD structure with an elongated flexible body, shock-providing lead(s), transition unit(s), and an antenna positioned in the transition units. The coverage includes multiple inventive features, with dependent claims further narrowing frequency relationships, transmission mode, data types, and antenna structure/material, and adding unitized structural partitioning within the elongated flexible body.
Simultaneously recharge and communicate via modulated multi-frequency EM transmission
Transmitting electromagnetic radiation simultaneously over a plurality of frequencies for receiving by the antenna for recharging the subcutaneous rechargeable IMD; modulating the electromagnetic radiation for communicating data to the subcutaneous rechargeable IMD.
Elongated flexible IMD with shock lead(s) and transition unit(s) coupling lead(s) to body ends
The IMD includes an elongated and flexible body, at least one lead for providing an electric shock and at least one transition unit for coupling the at least one lead to at least one end of the elongated and flexible body.
Antenna positioned in the transition unit
The at least one antenna is positioned in the at least one transition unit.
Across the independent-method claim, the inventive coverage centers on simultaneous wireless recharging and data communication by transmitting electromagnetic radiation over a plurality of frequencies and modulating that electromagnetic radiation, combined with a specific flexible subcutaneous IMD structure where a shock lead is coupled to an elongated flexible body end via a transition unit and the antenna is positioned in that transition unit.
Stated Advantages
Provides simultaneous recharging and communication of programming information/data to the subcutaneous rechargeable IMD.
Positions receiver antennas in transition units or around passive outer units to avoid Faraday-cage interference and reduce heating risk.
Uses antenna configurations optimized for cylindrical/omnidirectional reception and high energy transfer.
Describes an energy budgeting concept aimed at extended lifespan through a rechargeable strategy.
Documented Applications
Wireless recharging of a subcutaneous rechargeable implantable medical device while communicating programming information to the IMD.
Simultaneous recharging and programming/data communication during a recharge session between an external charger transmitter and an implanted IMD.
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