Power source for implantable medical device
Inventors
Von Arx, Jeffrey A. • Berthelsdorf, Richard • STOTTS, Larry
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12251568-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
An energy supplying component (100) includes a plurality of power sources (161, 171, 181, 191) and at least one switch (163, 165, 167, 173, 175, 177, 183, 185, 187, 193, 195, 197). Each power source of the plurality of power sources is configured to output a defined energy level. The at least one switch is configured to reversibly combine two or more power sources of the plurality of power sources for enabling the energy supplying component to supply requested energy at one or both of a needed voltage or a needed current.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an energy supplying component for active implantable medical devices. The component includes a plurality of power sources that each output a defined energy level, wherein the plurality of power sources comprises a first beta-voltaic power source and at least one additional beta-voltaic power source. The power sources’ combined outputs enable supplying energy to the device.
The energy supplying component further includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of ports that reversibly combine two or more power sources. The switches are configured to allow energy supply at one or both of a needed voltage or a needed current. The port arrangement includes a first port, a second port, a third port configured to couple the first power source with ground, and a fourth port, with circuit completion controlled by the first switch, second switch, and third switch.
A switching arrangement is specified so the second switch selectively couples the first power source with the second power source in series, while the first and third switches selectively couple the first power source with the additional power source in parallel. In this way, selected combinations of beta-voltaic power sources can be used to meet electrical requirements without relying on a single fixed source configuration.
The disclosed application context includes use with an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, a defibrillator, an implantable loop recorder, an implantable sensor, or a neuro stimulator. The disclosure additionally provides longevity estimation by periodically measuring a beta-voltaic terminal potential under defined loading conditions to compute remaining service time using end of service and elective replacement indication relationships, including service-time graphs and tables.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim, which defines an energy supplying component with multiple beta-voltaic power sources whose outputs are reversibly combined via a specific switch-and-port network to deliver a needed voltage and/or a needed current. The inventive features are further narrowed in dependent claims by specifying serial and parallel combining, a tritium-based beta-voltaic source, a buffer capacitor charged by combined sources, and an apparatus configuration using an active implantable medical device.
Multiple defined-energy beta-voltaic power sources
An energy supplying component comprising a plurality of power sources, wherein each power source is configured to output a defined energy level, and wherein the plurality comprises a first beta-voltaic power source and at least one additional beta-voltaic power source.
Reversible combining of power sources for needed voltage and/or current
A plurality of switches configured to reversibly combine two or more power sources to enable the energy supplying component to supply energy at one or both of a needed voltage or a needed current.
Switch-and-port network with selectable series and parallel coupling
A plurality of ports where the first port to second port circuit includes one or both of the first power source or the additional power source, with the second switch selectively coupling the first power source with the second power source in series, and the first and third switches selectively coupling the first power source with the additional power source in parallel.
Overall, the claim set focuses on an energy supplying component that combines multiple beta-voltaic power sources using a reversible switch-and-port network configured to deliver energy at a needed voltage and/or needed current, with selectable series and parallel coupling of the involved power sources.
Stated Advantages
Supplies energy at one or both of a needed voltage or a needed current by reversibly combining power sources.
Allows selective series coupling and selective parallel coupling of beta-voltaic power sources to meet electrical requirements.
Documented Applications
Use with an active implantable medical device, including a pacemaker, a defibrillator, an intra-cardiac stimulation device, an implantable loop recorder, an implantable sensor, and a neuro stimulator.
Longevity estimation for the power supply by periodically measuring a beta-voltaic terminal potential under defined loading conditions to compute remaining service time using ERI/EOS relationships and service-time graphs/tables.
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