Headset recharger for cranially implantable medical devices

Abstract

The invention is directed to a recharging system and associated techniques to recharge an implantable medical device (IMD). In particular, a recharging system according to the invention comprises a headset having an energy delivery module that delivers energy to a power source of an IMD implanted on or within the cranium of a patient. The energy delivery module may comprise a coil for inductive transfer of energy to the power source. The headset may be configured for placement over the head of the patient, and may further only partially cover the top of the head. The energy delivery module may be adjustably coupled to the headset. In some embodiments, the position of the energy delivery module may be adjusted along three or four axes, including a rotational axis, allowing the coil to be placed over an IMD located at any of a variety of locations on or within the cranium.

1 . A method comprising: 
 placing a headset on a head of a patient, wherein the headset extends from a first end to a second end;    adjusting a first position of an energy delivery module to locate the energy delivery module at a second position proximate to a medical device implanted at least one of on or within a cranium of the patient and under a scalp of the patient, thereby facilitating delivery of recharge energy from the energy delivery module to a rechargeable power source of the medical device, wherein the energy delivery module is coupled to a medial portion of the headset between the first and second ends with a coupling member that is coupled to the headset and is adjustable along at least two axes of motion; and    adjusting a fixation mechanism to substantially fix the energy delivery module at the second position proximate the medical device.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery module comprises a primary coil that delivers energy to the power source of the medical device via transcutaneous inductive energy transfer to a secondary coil associated with the medical device, and adjusting the first position of the energy delivery module comprises adjusting the first position of the primary coil to locate the primary coil proximate to the secondary coil.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a size of the headset based on a size of the head.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a first fixation mechanism, the method further comprising: 
 adjusting a third position of a telemetry antenna that is coupled to the headset to locate the telemetry antenna at a fourth position proximate to the medical device; and    adjusting a second fixation mechanism to substantially fix the telemetry antenna at the fourth position proximate the medical device.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a third position of a telemetry antenna that is coupled to the headset to locate the telemetry antenna at a fourth position proximate to the medical device; and    adjusting the fixation mechanism to substantially fix the telemetry antenna at the fourth position proximate the medical device.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a first fixation mechanism, the method further comprising: 
 adjusting a third position of a stabilizing member that is coupled to the headset; and    adjusting a second fixation mechanism to substantially fix the third position of the stabilizing member.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising molding at least one of a coupling member, a stabilizing member, or a housing member that is coupled to the headset to the head of the patient.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication of alignment of the energy delivery module and the medical device via a recharge control unit.  
   
   
       9 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member is coupled to the headset such that the coupling member is adjustable along at least three axes of motion, and one of the axes of motion comprises a rotational axis.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member is moldable.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the fixation mechanism comprises manipulating the fixation mechanism between a first state in which the coupling member is adjustable relative to the headset and a second state in which a third position of the coupling member is substantially fixed relative to the headset.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation mechanism comprises a bolt, and adjusting the fixation mechanism comprises tightening the bolt.