Inductively rechargeable external energy source, charger, system and method for a transcutaneous inductive charger for an implantable medical device

Abstract

External power source, charger, system and method for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A primary charging coil is capable of transcutaneously inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. Drive circuitry is operatively coupled to the primary charging coil for exciting the primary charging coil. A rechargeable power source is operatively coupled to the drive circuitry. A secondary recharging coil is operatively coupled to the rechargeable power source. A primary recharging coil is adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power which when placed in proximity of the secondary recharging coil can inductively energize the secondary recharging coil in order to charge the rechargeable power source.

1 . An external power source for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry, comprising: 
 a primary charging coil capable of transcutaneously inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;    drive circuitry operatively coupled to said primary charging coil for exciting said primary charging coil;    a rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said drive circuitry;    a secondary recharging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source; and    a primary recharging coil adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power which when placed in proximity of said secondary recharging coil can inductively energize said secondary recharging coil in order to charge said rechargeable power source.    
   
   
       2 . An external power source as in  claim 1  wherein said primary recharging coil is located in a cradle capable of receiving said secondary recharging coil for charging said rechargeable power source.  
   
   
       3 . An external power source as in  claim 1  wherein said implantable medical device has an internal rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry and wherein said secondary coil charges said internal rechargeable power source when driven by said primary coil.  
   
   
       4 . A charger for an implantable medical device having an internal rechargeable power source, therapeutic componentry operatively coupled to said internal rechargeable power source, a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry and an internal telemetry coil, comprising: 
 a primary charging coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil for charging said internal rechargeable power source when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;    drive circuitry operatively coupled to said primary charging coil for exciting said primary charging coil;    a rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said drive circuitry;    a secondary recharging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source; and    a primary recharging coil adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power which when placed in proximity of said secondary recharging coil can inductively energize said secondary recharging coil in order to charge said rechargeable power source.    
   
   
       5 . A charger as in  claim 4  wherein said primary recharging coil is located in a cradle capable of receiving said secondary recharging coil for charging said rechargeable power source.  
   
   
       6 . A charger as in  claim 4  wherein said implantable medical device has an internal rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry and wherein said secondary coil charges said internal rechargeable power source when driven by said primary coil.  
   
   
       7 . A system for transcutaneous energy transfer, comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, comprising: 
 therapeutic componentry for producing a therapeutic output;  
 a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry; and  
   an external power source, comprising: 
 a primary charging coil capable of inductively energizing said secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of said secondary coil;  
 drive circuitry operatively coupled to said primary charging coil for exciting said primary charging coil;  
 a rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said drive circuitry;  
 a secondary recharging coil operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source; and  
 a primary recharging coil adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power which when placed in proximity of said secondary recharging coil can inductively energize said secondary recharging coil in order to charge said rechargeable power source.  
   
   
   
       8 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein said primary recharging coil is located in a cradle capable of receiving said secondary recharging coil for charging said rechargeable power source.  
   
   
       9 . A system as in  claim 7  wherein said implantable medical device has an internal rechargeable power source operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry and wherein said secondary coil charges said internal rechargeable power source when driven by said primary coil.  
   
   
       10 . A method of transcutaneous energy transfer to a medical device implanted in a patient having therapeutic componentry, a secondary coil operatively coupled to said therapeutic componentry, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a primary charging coil externally of said patient in proximity of said secondary coil;    inductively energizing said secondary coil with said primary charging coil via driver circuitry powered from a rechargeable power source;    positioning a secondary recharging coil which is operatively coupled to said rechargeable power source in proximity of a primary recharging coil adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power in order to charge said rechargeable power source.    
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein said positioning step comprises setting said secondary recharging coil in a cradle containing said primary recharging coil.