Enhanced power system for implantable medical devices
By dynamically adjusting the receiving antenna and power control circuit, and utilizing external RF power to power the IMD, the problem of rapid battery depletion under high-power operation of the IMD is solved, achieving efficient and safe power supply and extending the device's lifespan.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MEDTRONIC INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
Smart Images

Figure CN122094745A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-reference to related applications
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 593,713, filed October 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This disclosure relates to wireless power transmission, and more particularly, to inductive power transmission for powering implantable medical devices. Background Technology
[0004] Implantable medical devices (IMDs) may include onboard power sources such as primary (e.g., non-rechargeable) batteries, secondary (e.g., rechargeable) batteries, or other energy storage devices. In some examples, the IMD may receive wireless power via a transdermal power transfer method configured to recharge a secondary battery. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Generally, this disclosure relates to an enhanced power system for an implantable device (IMD). The IMD includes a primary battery and a receiving antenna that receives radio frequency (RF) power from a transmitting antenna to power the operation of the IMD when an induced current from the received RF power is present on the receiving antenna. For example, the IMD may sometimes perform one or more operations that require relatively high current draw (e.g., current draw that may exceed thresholds, such as approximately 6 to 30 microamps). Such current draw conditions may occur, for example, when the IMD is transmitting data, performing artificial intelligence (AI) applications, administering treatments for conditions such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), administering atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS), administering treatments to reduce thickening of the heart wall, and / or performing another power-intensive procedure. Therefore, it may be desirable to wirelessly provide at least a portion of the operating power to the IMD from an external source to reduce the draw of the primary battery. For example, a receiving antenna may be used instead of or in addition to the primary battery to receive operating power (e.g., induced current) to power the implantable device. In response to the receiving antenna no longer wirelessly receiving operating power, such as when the patient moves out of the range of the transmitting antenna, the operation of the IMD is powered by a primary battery. As used herein, "operating power" means the power available to power the operational functions of the IMD, such as therapy delivery, monitoring of physiological parameters, and data transmission. As used herein, "recharge power" means the power available to recharge the secondary battery. It should be understood that the term "operating power" does not include "recharge power".
[0006] In some examples described herein, the transmitting antenna of an external device (such as a wireless power transmission system) includes an externally applied coil (e.g., outside the patient) and is configured to transmit RF power to a receiving antenna of the IMD, wherein the transmitted RF power includes an induced current that includes the operating power to be used when the operating power is received by the receiving antenna. In other examples, the receiving antenna may include a coil positioned near the periphery of the IMD's assembly frame. The amount of transmitted RF power (e.g., the induced current providing operating power) can be low when compared to recharging a typical battery-powered IMD. In some examples, such as in the United States, the relatively low amount of transmitted RF power cannot exceed the specific absorption rate (SAR) standard issued by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thereby avoiding tissue heating problems.
[0007] In another example disclosed herein, the transmitting and receiving antennas utilize a standardized wireless power delivery protocol known as Qi. While conventional systems may use the Qi protocol to recharge batteries, in some examples disclosed herein, the Qi protocol is used to enhance the operating power requirements of the IMD when operational power is received by the receiving antenna. For example, the Qi device may be configured as an adhesive, sheet, or pad, or take the form of an adhesive, sheet, or pad having its own replaceable primary or secondary power source. In some examples, the transmitting antenna may employ a large external coil configured not to physically contact the patient, but rather as part of a mattress, pillow, armrest, or other support device.
[0008] In some examples disclosed herein, a system includes: an IMD comprising: a power source; a receiving antenna configured to receive an induced current from a wireless power transmission system; a power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit being configured to control the supply of power to the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; and a processing circuit coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: control the power control circuit to supply power to the IMD from the power source; determine the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna; and control the power control circuit to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna.
[0009] In some examples disclosed herein, a method capable of being operated by an IMD includes: controlling a power control circuit to supply power to the operation of the IMD from a power source internal to the IMD; determining the presence of an induced current on a receiving antenna, the induced current being received from a wireless power transmission system; and controlling the power control circuit to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna.
[0010] In some examples disclosed herein, a system includes: an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising: a power source; a receiving antenna configured to receive an induced current from a wireless power transmission system; a power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit configured to supply power to operation of the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; a processing circuit coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: control the power control circuit to supply power to operation of the IMD from the power source; determine the presence of the induced current; and, based on the presence of the induced current, control the power control circuit to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the power source to the induced current; and the wireless power transmission system comprising: a transmitting antenna; and a driver circuit configured to excite the transmitting antenna with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field to transmit the induced current to the receiving antenna.
[0011] Details of one or more examples of this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example wireless power transmission system according to the various examples described in this disclosure.
[0013] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram illustrating example configurations of implantable medical devices according to the various examples described in this disclosure.
[0014] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example inductive power supply system according to the various examples described in this disclosure.
[0015] Figure 4 The diagrams include various examples of techniques that can be used to construct antenna coils for use in the systems described in this disclosure.
[0016] Figure 5This is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example system for powering the operation of an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, according to various examples described in this disclosure.
[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating example waveforms that can be generated by a signal generator according to the various examples described in this disclosure.
[0018] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example wireless power transmission system including a coil, based on one or more technologies according to this disclosure.
[0019] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example technique for powering the high-power operation of an IMD. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Apparatus, systems, and techniques related to wireless power delivery systems for powering the operation of implantable medical devices (IMDs), such as when wireless power is available to the IMD. For example, it may be desirable to wirelessly power the operation of the IMD when operating power is received by a receiving antenna. The IMD includes a primary battery and a receiving antenna that receives radio frequency (RF) power from a transmitting antenna of an external device used to power the IMD; such RF power is received by the receiving antenna when operating power is received. The IMD may have primary therapeutic functions (such as pacing, conduction system pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy, etc.) that normally require a power source for the IMD. The IMD may also have auxiliary operating functions that, alone or in combination with the primary therapeutic functions, allow the IMD to operate in a relatively high power-demand state. For example, when the IMD is transmitting data, performing artificial intelligence (AI) applications, administering adjunctive therapies (such as those for a condition known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), administering atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS), administering therapies to reduce thickening of the heart wall, and / or performing another power-intensive procedure, it may be desirable to power one or more functions of the IMD using operating power wirelessly delivered from an external device. In some examples, the operating power received by the receiving antenna can be used to power the IMD in place of or in addition to a primary battery when received by the receiving antenna. In response to the receiving antenna no longer receiving RF power (such as when the patient moves out of the range of the transmitting antenna), a primary battery is used to power the operation of the IMD.
[0021] In some of the examples described herein, the receiving antenna includes a coil. The transmitting antenna includes an externally applied coil (e.g., outside the patient) and is configured to transmit RF power to the receiving antenna of the IMD, wherein the transmitted operating power is employed when RF power is present on the receiving antenna. In other examples, the receiving antenna may include a coil positioned near the periphery of the IMD's assembly frame. The amount of RF power transmitted (e.g., the induced current providing operating power) can be relatively low when compared to recharging a typical battery-powered IMD. For example, in the United States, a relatively low amount of transmitted RF power cannot exceed the specific absorption rate (SAR) standard issued by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thereby avoiding tissue heating problems.
[0022] In another example disclosed herein, the transmitting and receiving antennas utilize a standardized wireless power delivery protocol known as Qi. While conventional systems may use the Qi protocol to recharge batteries, in some examples disclosed herein, the Qi protocol is used to enhance the IMD's operating power requirements when wirelessly receiving operating power by the IMD. For example, the Qi power delivery device may be configured as an adhesive, sheet, or mat with its own replaceable primary or secondary power source. In some examples, the transmitting antenna may employ a large external coil configured not to physically contact the patient, but rather to be incorporated into the mattress, pillow, armrest, or other support device.
[0023] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless power transmission system 100 including a coil and a housing according to one or more technologies of this disclosure. The wireless power transmission system 100 may include a housing comprising a front housing 136A and a rear housing 136B, which enclose and protect a transmission antenna 102 (e.g., the transmission antenna may include a coil) and circuitry mounted to a circuit board 104. Figure 1 In some examples, the front housing 136A and the rear housing 136B may be formed of a type of rubber, plastic, metal, or similar material. In some examples, the system (e.g., Figure 5 The system 300 may include a wireless power transmission system 100 and an implantable medical device (IMD) 15. The IMD 15 may receive wireless power through a patient's tissue 132, which may include skin, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, etc., depending on the location of the IMD 15. In some examples, the wireless power transmission system 100 may be mounted or otherwise incorporated into a cushion, bed, seat (such as a car seat), or piece of furniture, and may conform and flex to the shape of the cushion, bed, seat, or furniture when, for example, occupied.
[0024] The circuitry on circuit board 104 may include processing circuitry 110, driver circuitry 114, memory 124, other circuitry 118, circuit traces, vias, connection points, and power sources 120. In some examples, the transmit antenna 102 (which may include a coil) is a power transmit antenna. For example, transmit antenna 102 may include a plurality of wire loops enclosed in a material and configured to generate an electromagnetic field 122 when driven by driver circuitry 114 mounted on circuit board 104. Electromagnetic field 122 may transmit power (such as operating power) to IMD 15. In some examples, electromagnetic field 122 may additionally or alternatively transmit power to auxiliary devices, such as power receiving units (PRUs), which may also be described as power receiving devices. Examples of auxiliary devices may include mobile computing devices, mobile phones, portable audio devices, medical devices (including IMD 15), etc.
[0025] exist Figure 1 In the example, processing circuitry 110 can access and execute instructions and store and retrieve information stored in memory 124, control the operation of driver circuitry 114, and send and receive digital communications, for example, from an auxiliary unit or from another computing device. Examples of processing circuitry 110 may include any one or more of the following: a microcontroller (MCU) (e.g., a computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input / output peripherals), a microprocessor (µP) (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC)), a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The processor may be an integrated circuit, i.e., an integrated processing circuit, and the integrated processing circuit may be implemented as a fixed hardware processing circuit, a programmable processing circuit, and / or a combination of fixed and programmable processing circuits. Therefore, the terms “processing circuit,” “processor,” or “controller” as used herein may refer to any one or more of the foregoing structures or any other structure that can be used to perform the techniques described herein.
[0026] Examples of memory 124 may include any type of computer-readable storage medium, including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), one-time programmable (OTP) memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or another type of volatile or non-volatile memory device. In some examples, the computer-readable storage medium may store instructions that cause processing circuitry to perform the functions described herein. In some examples, the computer-readable storage medium may store data, such as configuration information, temporary values, and other types of data for performing the functions of this disclosure. Although in Figure 1 In the example shown, the memory 124 is separate from the processing circuitry 110, but in other examples, the memory 124 may be on the same component (e.g., the same integrated circuit (IC)) as the processing circuitry 110. In some examples, the processing circuitry 110 controls the driver circuitry 114 to provide RF power to the transmission antenna 102.
[0027] In some examples described herein, the IMD 15 performing certain operations may cause its current draw to exceed a threshold, such as a threshold in the range of 6 microamps to 30 microamps. Such operations may be referred to as high-power operations. For example, the threshold may be exceeded when the IMD 15 is performing one or more power-intensive activities (e.g., high-power operations), including but not limited to: transmitting data, performing artificial intelligence (AI) applications, administering adjunctive therapies (such as therapies for a condition known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), administering atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS), administering therapies to reduce thickening of the heart wall, and / or performing another power-intensive procedure. When an induced current is present on the receiving antenna 96, the IMD 15 may use such an induced current as operating power instead of power source 89 ( Figure 2 Alternatively, the power source 89 may power the operation of IMD 15 from a source other than this power source. In some examples, the power source 89 is a primary battery (e.g., non-rechargeable). Therefore, in this example, the receiving antenna 96 does not need to recharge the IMD 15, which may not have a secondary rechargeable battery. In this case, IMD 15 can be considered a non-rechargeable IMD.
[0028] In some examples, IMD 15 may be configured not to perform one or more high-power operations unless an induced current is present on the receiving antenna 96. In other examples, IMD 15 may be configured not to perform such one or more high-power operations unless sufficient induced current is present on the receiving antenna 96. For example, IMD 15 may determine whether the induced current on the receiving antenna 96 is sufficient (e.g., equal to or greater than a threshold and / or the current required to perform the one or more high-power operations) before initiating such one or more high-power operations. In some examples, such one or more high-power operations may be optional or optional therapeutic operations of IMD 15.
[0029] In the absence of the wireless power transmission system 100 described herein ( Figure 1 In cases where the IMD 15's current draw is insufficient, its primary battery will be drawn much faster and / or the device's lifespan will be shortened. Examples of therapies that may require IMD 15 current draw above a threshold include reducing heart wall thickening by pacing the heart at a higher rate (such as using dual-chamber His bundle pacing). In some examples, the pacing rate has been estimated at 110 heartbeats / min over a 12-hour cycle; most of this occurs during the patient's sleep cycle. This increased rate could reduce the IMD 15's lifespan by approximately one-third. Another potentially high-energy-consuming current draw operation is atrial ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS). This technique may involve placing the IMD 15 lead in a region of the atrium that allows pacing and stimulation of a portion of the vagus nerve system. Stimulation of this region can counteract the hardening and thickening of the heart wall via an anti-inflammatory effect. Nerve stimulation capture can also be a power-intensive current draw process. While this therapeutic option is still under investigation, it is estimated that, under optimal conditions, the therapy would span approximately 8 hours per day, with each pacing pulse immediately followed by seven pulses of approximately 50 Hz. This method requires a current draw approximately eight times higher than that of a conventional pacemaker system.
[0030] Some exemplary current draws of the IMD 15 may be as follows. When the IMD 15 is a pacemaker device, for a standard pacemaker performing routine pacing functions, the rated capacity of the primary battery may be approximately 923 mAh, with a discharge rate of 6-11 microamps. In some examples, this discharge rate may be considered below the current draw threshold of the IMD 15. For applications that may cause current draw to exceed the threshold, in some examples, the current draw may be approximately 2-3 times 6-11 microamps, or approximately 15-30 microamps. When current draw exceeds the threshold, the techniques of this disclosure may be particularly desirable.
[0031] When the IMD 15 is a spinal shunt or pressure sensor, in some examples, the total operating power consumption can be 270uW when performing normal functions, making the current draw considered to be below the threshold.
[0032] In some examples described herein, the receiving antenna 96 includes a coil. The transmitting antenna 102 is supplied externally. Figure 1 This is used to transmit RF power to receiving antenna 96, wherein the transmitted RF power includes operating power used to power the operation of IMD 15. In another example, the receiving antenna may include a coil positioned near the periphery of the assembly frame of IMD 15. In some examples, the amount of transmitted RF power (e.g., the induced current providing operating power) may be low when compared to recharging a rechargeable battery for a typical battery-powered IMD 15. In some examples, the relatively low amount of transmitted RF power does not exceed the specific absorption rate (SAR) standard issued by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thereby avoiding tissue heating problems.
[0033] When the IMD 15 is a pacemaker device, in some examples, the transmitting antenna 102 can operate at either of two frequencies, where the first frequency is below 100 kHz and the second frequency is in the range of approximately 100 kHz to 200 kHz. In another example, 102 can operate at frequencies in the range of approximately 800 kHz to 2 MHz. When the IMD 15 is a grain device or a smart screw device, the transmitting antenna 102 can operate at frequencies in the approximate range of 880 kHz to 2 MHz.
[0034] In another example disclosed herein, the transmission antenna 102 ( Figure 1 ) and coil ( Figure 2 The receiving antenna 96 uses a standardized wireless power delivery protocol known as Qi. While conventional systems can use the Qi protocol to recharge batteries, in some examples disclosed herein, the Qi protocol is used to enhance the operating power requirements of the IMD 15 (such as when the current draw of the IMD 15 exceeds a threshold). For example, the Qi device may be configured as an adhesive having its own replaceable primary power source or secondary (e.g., rechargeable) power source. In some examples, the transmitting antenna 102 ( Figure 1 A large external coil may be used, which does not physically contact the patient but is located in or on the mattress, pillow, armrest or other support device.
[0035] Driver circuit 114 ( Figure 1The driver circuit 114 may include switching components, amplifier circuitry, tuning circuitry, communication circuitry, etc., configured to send a drive signal 112 to the transmission antenna 102 to generate an electromagnetic field 122 according to instructions from the processing circuitry 110. The tuning circuitry may include one or more capacitors, inductors, or similar components. In some examples, the driver circuitry 114 may include logic circuitry or other processing circuitry to receive one or more feedback signals or communication signals from the transmission antenna 102. In some examples, the driver circuitry may receive instructions from the processing circuitry 110 that controls the operation of the driver circuitry 114.
[0036] Power source 120 may include an energy storage device that stores electrical energy and supplies it to the circuitry of wireless power transmission system 100. In some examples, power source 120 may include a primary battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery. In some examples, power source 120 may also include a secondary battery, such as a rechargeable battery. In other examples, power source 120 may be another type of energy storage device, such as a fuel cell, capacitor, etc. In some examples, power source 120 may include a power converter, such as an AC-DC converter, DC-DC converter, etc. In some examples, wireless power transmission system 100 may include connectors external to housings 136A and 136B. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), this connector is configured to receive external power (such as from a wall outlet) to provide operating power to the wireless power transmission system 100 and optionally to provide recharging power to the recharge power source 120. In some examples, the electromagnetic field 122 may affect the operation of the power source 120. In other examples, the circuitry of the power source 120 may affect the electromagnetic field 122 and the load on the transmitting antenna 102.
[0037] Because the transmission antenna 102 can be implemented as a coil-like conductor, it can include the characteristics of an inductor. In addition to its inductance, the inductor may also have at least some resistance, for example, due to the length of the conductor (e.g., wire). The type of material, length, cross-sectional area, and other factors can affect the amount of resistance. The lower the value of this resistance R, the better the quality of the coil. The ratio between the resistive component and the frequency-dependent inductance is the loss factor (loss factor = R / 2πfL). The reciprocal of the loss factor is the quality factor, or Q value (Q = 2πfL / R = ωL / R). Here, "f" is the frequency of the current flowing through the transmission antenna 102, "L" is the effective inductance of the coil in henries, and "R" is the effective resistance of the coil in ohms. Therefore, the Q value will vary depending on the frequency. Another way to describe the Q value at the operating frequency is as the ratio of the reactance of the transmission antenna 102 to its resistance.
[0038] In some examples, processing circuitry 110 may determine the impedance of transmitting antenna 102 to calculate an estimate of the amount of heat to be applied to the power receiving unit (e.g., auxiliary device) according to the following equation. In the following equation, "Q" refers to the amount of heat in watts and is different from the Q value described above.
[0039]
[0040] in:
[0041] The processing circuit 110 can determine the amount of heat in the transmission antenna 102 based on the following:
[0042] in:
[0043] Q 传输 This may include any heating associated with transmitting wireless power. In some examples, Q 传输 Eddy currents may be present in the main circuit board or other circuit boards of the wireless power transmission system 100. Although shown as a single circuit board 104, the circuitry of the wireless power transmission system 100 may be split among several circuit boards, such as a separate user interface circuit board. The wireless power transmission system 100 may include Figure 1 Other components not shown include shielding materials that can absorb some of the transmitted energy, ferrite materials, etc. Eddy currents can also cause heating, losses in ferrites, and / or eddy currents in batteries (e.g., power source 120) or other components. Similarly, Q 接收 This may include all heat in the power receiving unit (e.g., IMD15), including shielding, header, eddy currents in the ground plane, rectifier circuit losses, battery path impedance, etc. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image).
[0044] The impedance of the transmission antenna 102 may be affected by several factors. For example, the material and cross-sectional area of the conductor of the transmission antenna 102 may have a specific resistance per unit distance, for example, ohms / mm. Temperature variations may also affect the resistance of the conductor based on the temperature coefficient of resistance of the transmission antenna 102. Additionally, as described above, at least the spatial relationship between the driver circuitry and the transmission antenna 102 may affect the load on the transmission antenna 102. In some examples, the electromagnetic field 122 may generate eddy currents in the driver circuitry. Eddy currents in the circuitry (e.g., in traces in the circuit board 104 and in electrical components mounted to the circuit board 104) may cause variations in the drive signal output from the driver circuitry to the antenna. In other words, the signal path (e.g., 112) used for the drive signal may be positioned relative to the transmission antenna 102 such that eddy currents in the signal path may cause variations in the current magnitude, voltage magnitude, or other characteristics of the drive signal. As described above, other signal paths on the circuit board 104 (e.g., power source 120, processing circuitry 110, sensing circuitry 116, etc.) may also cause variations in the current magnitude, voltage magnitude, or other characteristics of the drive signal. Figure 1 The electromagnetic field 122 (not shown in the diagram) can also be configured relative to the transmission antenna 102, such that the output of the drive signal can be altered due to changes in eddy currents at different spatial relationships between the transmission antenna 102 and the circuit. The mathematical model of the transmission coil impedance can be based on the slot current (Is). 槽 The impedance of the transmission antenna 102 can be described by the following factors: coil temperature, driver signal frequency (f) affecting the Q value, and the spatial relationship between the transmission antenna 102 and the circuit, as measured by the degree of deformation.
[0045] in:
[0046] In some examples, the coefficient "A" may be based on zero-slot current (I-slot), nominal temperature, and nominal deformation or positioning. In some examples, processing circuitry 110 may adjust the amount of power output by transmitting antenna 102 to ensure that the estimated temperature remains within a predetermined temperature range. In the example of the IMD, if the temperature of the IMD rises above a predetermined temperature threshold, the tissue surrounding the IMD may cause discomfort to the patient. In other examples, the power receiving device may include circuitry sensitive to temperatures outside a predetermined range.
[0047] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example configuration of IMD 15 according to the various examples described in this disclosure. IMD 15 may correspond to relative to Figure 1The IMD 15 or another IMD described and illustrated, either of which can be configured to be operatively powered using the apparatus, systems, and methods described in this disclosure. IMD 15 includes a power source 89 coupled to electronic circuitry disposed within IMD 15 and configured to provide operating electrical power to these circuits via power control circuitry 91. IMD 15 can be induced to be powered by providing received electromagnetic energy to IMD 15, wherein energy from these applied fields can induce electrical energy in the following: an antenna 94 coupled to communication circuitry 90 and power control circuitry 91 (this antenna can be used as a telemetry antenna); or a receiving antenna 96, which can be disposed in addition to antenna 94 and, when disposed, directly coupled to power control circuitry 91. Power control circuitry 91 is coupled to power source 89. During high-power load conditions, as determined by processing circuitry 85, power control circuitry 91 is configured to receive electrical energy induced in antenna 94 (or in receiving antenna 96 (when set) by one or more electromagnetic fields applied to the antenna) and to operatively power IMD 15 from the received electrical energy. Power control circuitry 91 is typically configured to operatively power IMD 15 from power source 89 when a high-power load condition is not present or when RF power is not being received from transmitting antenna 102 (such as when IMD 15 is outside the RF power transmission range of wireless power transmission system 100). For example, power source 89 may supply electrical energy to IMD 15 to provide primary therapeutic functions (e.g., CRT or conventional pacing therapy) or sensing functions, while a high-power load setting may indicate auxiliary therapeutic functions requiring higher energy demands. In some such examples, power source 89 may include a primary battery, such that IMD 15 can be considered a non-rechargeable device. The power control circuit 91 can be configured to regulate energy to provide an electrical power level supplied by the power source 89, the receiving antenna 96, or both, for the purpose of powering the operation of other circuitry included as part of the IMD 15. In other examples, the power control circuit 91 can also be configured to regulate energy to provide levels of recharging power and operating power supplied to the power source 89 for the purposes of recharging the secondary battery of the power source 89 and powering other circuitry included as part of the IMD 15, respectively. The power control circuit 91 can be controlled by the processing circuitry 85.
[0048] Power control circuitry 91 may perform various energy regulation functions on the energy inductively generated in antenna 94 (or receiving antenna 96 (when configured)) by providing rectification, voltage level regulation, current level regulation, and / or other signal processing functions to generate “recharge energy” to be supplied to power source 89. IMD 15 may be configured to couple the electromagnetic energy captured by the antenna (including but not limited to antenna 94 or receiving antenna 96) and direct the captured energy to a suitable rectifier circuit that delivers electrical energy to the power supply device. Switching element 95 (which may be a transistor switch) may be included in IMD 15 and is controlled to select whether the telemetry or power delivery system is active, and whether antenna 94 is coupled to communication circuitry 90 or power control circuitry 91. In other examples, receiving antenna 96 is coupled to power control circuitry 91 and configured to receive the inductively coupled energy and supply the inductively coupled energy to power control circuitry 91 to provide operating power to IMD 15 and optionally recharge power to recharge power source 89.
[0049] In the illustrated example, IMD 15 includes processing circuitry 85 and associated memory 86, sensing circuitry 87, therapy delivery circuitry 88, one or more sensors 92, and communication circuitry 90 coupled to an antenna 94 as described above. However, IMD 15 does not need to include all of these components, or may include additional components. For example, in some examples, IMD 15 may not include therapy delivery circuitry 88. Memory 86 includes computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry 85, cause IMD 15 and processing circuitry 85 to perform various functions attributable to IMD 15 and processing circuitry 85 as described herein (e.g., preparing information for transmission from IMD 15 regarding the remaining lifetime level present in the power source, such as battery management system information (BMS)). It is configured to provide information including the charge / discharge state and / or temperature information associated with the power source 89 (e.g., a battery located in IMD 15). The instructions can also enable the IMD 15 and processing circuitry to determine the level of inductive coupling (e.g., the energy level generated in the antenna 94 or receiving antenna 96 located in the IMD 15 as a result of one or more electromagnetic fields applied to the IMD 15), and generate information related to the inductively received energy for transmission by the communication antenna of the IMD 15 or by separate antennas and associated power conditioning circuitry.
[0050] In some examples described herein, processing circuitry 85 determines the presence of operating power on receiving antenna 96. In response to determining the presence of operating power on receiving antenna, processing circuitry 85 may control power control circuitry 91 to use the operating power to power the operational activities of IMD 15.
[0051] For example, the operational activity of IMD 15 may cause current draw to exceed a threshold. Therefore, it may be desirable to utilize wireless operating power provided by an external device, in addition to or in lieu of the operating power from power source 89. For instance, when IMD 15 is transmitting data, performing artificial intelligence (AI) applications, administering adjunctive therapies (such as tachycardia pacing therapy for a condition known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), administering atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS) therapy, administering therapies to reduce thickening of the heart wall, and / or performing another power-intensive procedure, the current draw of IMD 15 may exceed the threshold. When operating power is received by the receiving antenna 96 of IMD 15, the operating power is used to power the operation of the IMD in lieu of or in addition to power source 89. In some examples, power source 89 includes a primary battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery.
[0052] In some examples described herein, the receiving antenna 96 includes a coil. The transmitting antenna 102 is supplied externally. Figure 1 ) is used to transmit RF power to receiving antenna 96, wherein the transmitted RF power includes an induced current, which includes operating power used to power the operation of IMD 15. In another example, receiving antenna 96 ( Figure 2 This may include coils positioned near the periphery of the IMD 15's assembly frame. In some examples, the amount of RF power delivered (e.g., the induced current providing operating power) can be very low when compared to recharging a typical battery-powered IMD 15. In some examples, the relatively low amount of delivered RF power does not exceed the specific absorption rate (SAR) standard set by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thus avoiding tissue heating problems.
[0053] In another example disclosed herein, the transmission antenna 102 ( Figure 1 ) and receiving antenna 96 ( Figure 2 It uses a standardized wireless power delivery protocol known as Qi. While regular systems can use the Qi protocol to recharge batteries, in some examples disclosed herein, the Qi protocol is used to enhance IMD 15 (…). Figure 1 and Figure 2 Operating power requirements (such as when the current draw of IMD 15 exceeds a threshold). For example, a Qi device may be configured as an adhesive having its own replaceable primary power source or secondary (e.g., rechargeable) power source. In some examples, the transmission antenna 102 ( Figure 1A large external coil may be used, which does not physically contact the patient but is located in or on the mattress, pillow, armrest or other support device.
[0054] The memory 86 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other digital or analog medium. The memory 86 may store thresholds for time of day, posture, heart rate, activity level, respiratory rate, and other parameters. The memory 86 may also store data indicating cardiovascular stress measurement results.
[0055] Processing circuitry 85 may include fixed-function circuitry and / or programmable processing circuitry. Processing circuitry 85 may include any one or more of the following: a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or analog logic circuitry. In some examples, processing circuitry 85 may include multiple components, such as any combination of the following: one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or more ASICs, or one or more FPGAs, and other discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functionality attributed herein to processing circuitry 85 may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.
[0056] As illustrated, sensing circuitry 87 and therapy delivery circuitry 88 are coupled to electrodes 97. Sensing circuitry 87 can monitor signals from two or more selected electrodes 97 to monitor cardiac electrical activity, impedance, or some other electrical phenomenon. Sensing of cardiac electrical signals can be performed to determine heart rate or heart rate variability or to detect arrhythmias (e.g., tachyarrhythmias or bradycardia) or other electrical signals. In some examples, sensing circuitry 87 may include one or more filters and amplifiers for filtering and amplifying signals received from electrodes 97.
[0057] In some examples, sensing circuit 87 can sense or detect physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and other patient-related physiological parameters. The resulting cardiac electrical signal can be utilized by cardiac event detection circuitry, which detects a cardiac event when the cardiac electrical signal exceeds a sensing threshold. In some examples, cardiac event detection circuitry is part of sensing circuitry 87, processing circuitry 85, or both. Cardiac event detection circuitry may include rectifiers, filters and / or amplifiers, sensing amplifiers, comparators, and / or analog-to-digital converters. Sensing circuitry 87 may output an indication to processing circuitry 85 in response to sensing a cardiac event (e.g., a detected P wave or R wave).
[0058] The sensing circuit 87 may also include a switching module to select which of the available electrodes 97 (or electrode polarities) will be used to sense cardiac activity. In an example with several electrodes 97, the processing circuit 85 may select the electrodes that will act as sensing electrodes, i.e., select the sensing configuration, via the switching module within the sensing circuit 87. The sensing circuit 87 may also pass one or more digitized EGM signals to the processing circuit 85 for analysis, for example, for use in heart rhythm discrimination.
[0059] exist Figure 2 In the example, IMD 15 includes one or more sensors 92 coupled to sensing circuitry 87. Although in Figure 2 The sensor 92 is illustrated as being included within IMD 15, but one or more sensors in sensor 92 may be external to IMD 15 (e.g., coupled to IMD 15 via one or more leads) or configured to communicate wirelessly with IMD 15. In some examples, sensor 92 transduces signals indicating patient parameters, which may be amplified, filtered, or otherwise processed by sensing circuitry 87. In such examples, processing circuitry 85 determines the value of the patient parameter based on the signal. In some examples, sensor 92 determines the patient parameter value and transmits it to processing circuitry 85, for example, via a wired or wireless connection.
[0060] In some examples, sensor 92 includes one or more accelerometers 93, such as one or more triaxial accelerometers. Signals generated by the one or more accelerometers 93 may indicate, for example, large body movements of the patient (e.g., activity), patient posture, heart sounds or other vibrations or movements associated with the heartbeat, or coughing, rales, or other respiratory abnormalities. Accelerometer 93 may generate signals and transmit these signals to processing circuitry 85 to make a determination about the patient's posture. In various examples, the signal from accelerometer 93 is processed to determine activity, such as when the patient is taking one or more steps or, for example, when the patient is running; the signal is used to provide an activity count associated with patient-initiated body movements. In some examples, sensor 92 may include sensors configured to transduce signals indicating blood flow, blood oxygen saturation, or patient temperature, and processing circuitry 85 may determine patient parameter values based on these signals. In various examples, sensor 92 may include one or more sensors or combinations thereof as previously described in sensor 18. In some examples, processing circuitry 85 determines one or more patient parameter values based on pressure signals. Patient parameter values determined based on pressure can include, for example, systolic or diastolic blood pressure values, such as pulmonary artery diastolic blood pressure values.
[0061] When configured as part of IMD 15, the therapy delivery circuit 88 can be configured to generate and deliver electrical therapy to the heart. The therapy delivery circuit 88 may include one or more pulse generators, capacitors, and / or other components capable of generating and / or storing energy to deliver pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, cardioversion therapy, other therapies, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the therapy delivery circuit 88 may include a first set of components configured to provide pacing therapy and a second set of components configured to provide anti-tachyarrhythmic shock therapy. In other cases, the therapy delivery circuit 88 may utilize the same set of components to provide both pacing and anti-tachyarrhythmic shock therapy. In still other cases, the therapy delivery circuit 88 may share some pacing and shock therapy components, while using only other components for pacing or shock delivery.
[0062] The therapy delivery circuit 88 may include a charging circuit, one or more charge storage devices (such as one or more capacitors), and a switching circuit for controlling when to discharge the capacitor to the electrodes 97 and the pulse width. The therapy delivery circuit 88 may perform charging the capacitor to a programmed pulse amplitude and discharging the capacitor to a programmed pulse width based on a control signal received from the processing circuit 85, provided by the processing circuit 85 according to parameters stored in the memory 86. The processing circuit 85 controls the therapy delivery circuit 88 to deliver the generated therapy to the heart, for example, via one or more combinations of electrodes 97, according to parameters stored in the memory 86. The therapy delivery circuit 88 may include a switching circuit to select which of the available electrodes 97 are used for therapy delivery, for example, as controlled by the processing circuit 85. In some examples, the therapy delivery circuit 88 may be configured to deliver therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), to deliver therapy for atrial ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS), and / or to deliver therapy for reducing cardiac wall thickening.
[0063] The communication circuit 90 includes any suitable hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof for communicating with another device, such as an external device, transceiver, another IMD, or sensor. (See again) Figure 2 Under the control of processing circuitry 85, communication circuitry 90 can receive downlink telemetry from external device 11 or another device and transmit uplink telemetry to the external device or the other device via an antenna (such as antenna 94), which can be internal and / or external. In some examples, communication circuitry 90 can communicate with local external devices, for example, via transceiver 16, and processing circuitry 85 can communicate via local external devices and computer networks (such as Medtronic plc developed by Medtronic Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland). ® CareLink ®(Network) communicates with networked computing devices.
[0064] As described above, in some examples (i.e., when using a single antenna), the antenna signal can be switched from communication circuitry 90 to power control circuitry 91 to provide operating power to IMD 15. In other examples, the receiving antenna (receiving antenna 96) is decoupled from the communication / telemetry antenna (e.g., antenna 94). For example, antenna 94 can be switched between being coupled to communication circuitry 90 and being coupled to power control circuitry 91 via switching element 95, wherein switching element 95 can be controlled by processing circuitry 85 to determine when antenna 94 is coupled to communication circuitry 90 and when antenna 94 is coupled to power control circuitry 91.
[0065] As previously described, in some examples, processing circuitry 85 controls power control circuitry 91 to determine the presence of an induced current on receiving antenna 96. When operating power (in the form of an induced current) is present on receiving antenna 96, this operating power is used to operatively power the operation of IMD 15 in place of or in addition to power source 89. In some examples, power source 89 is a primary battery, such that IMD 15 can be characterized as a non-rechargeable device.
[0066] For example, processing circuitry 85 may suppress the initiation of one or more high-power operations until processing circuitry 85 determines the presence of an induced current on receiving antenna 96. Once processing circuitry 85 determines the presence of an induced current on receiving antenna 96, processing circuitry 85 may control power control circuitry 91 to supply power and may initiate one or more high-power operations. Such one or more high-power operations may cause the current draw of IMD 15 to exceed a threshold, making it potentially undesirable to perform the one or more high-power operations without using operating power from the induced current. For example, when IMD 15 is transmitting data, performing artificial intelligence (AI) applications, administering adjunctive therapies (such as therapies for a condition known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), administering atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation (AVNS), administering therapies to reduce thickening of the heart wall, and / or performing another power-intensive procedure, for example, the current draw of IMD 15 may exceed the threshold.
[0067] In various examples, processing circuitry 85 is coupled to power control circuitry 91 and receives information (such as current levels) induced in antenna 94 or receiving antenna 96 as a result of electrical energy received by the antenna via electromagnetic energy applied to IMD 15 for the purpose of operably powering IMD 15. Processing circuitry 85 may provide this information, along with other information (e.g., current consumption rate and temperature information associated with IMD 15), as an output signal to communication circuitry 90 for transmission from IMD 15 to one or more external devices (such as transceiver 16). For example, the positioning and / or orientation of a pair of coils located outside IMD 15 and the generation of an electromagnetic field applied to IMD 15 can be controlled using this information transmitted from IMD 15.
[0068] This information transmitted from the IMD 15 can be used to control the setting of electrical parameters for the excitation coil, which generates an electromagnetic field applied to the IMD 15 for the purpose of providing induced current to the IMD 15. Furthermore, other information transmitted from the IMD 15, such as temperature and field strength information, can also be used to control the electrical parameters, for example, by adjusting the field strength generated by the transmitting antenna of the wireless power transmission system, or by, for example, turning off the transmitting antenna to stop the transmission of wireless power.
[0069] Clinicians or other users can retrieve data from IMD 15 using an external device or another local or networked computing device configured to communicate with processing circuitry 85 via communication circuitry 90 (e.g., through a transceiver). Clinicians can also program parameters of IMD 15 using an external device or another local or networked computing device.
[0070] In various examples, processing circuitry 85 is configured to receive signals from sensing circuitry 87, sensor 92, and / or sensor signals provided by sensors external to IMD 15, to process these sensor signals to generate one or more input parameters directly based on or derived from these sensor signals. The input parameters are associated with the current value of one or more physiological parameters associated with the patient (e.g., patient 12). Physiological parameters associated with the input parameters may include activity counts, respiration rate / breathing rate, movement, posture, and postural changes associated with the patient. Current values associated with these input parameters may be values measured directly from or derived from these input parameters. For example, a value of heart rate, such as heart rate measured in heartbeats per minute or cardiac cycle length, may be determined as the current value (e.g., the most recent value) of an input parameter associated with the patient's heart rate measured over a predetermined time period. Similarly, a value of respiratory rate, such as respiratory counts per minute or respiratory cycle length, may be determined as the current value (e.g., the most recent value) of an input parameter associated with the patient's respiratory rate measured over a predetermined time period.
[0071] Similarly, the current values of other input parameters can be determined, such as activity counts (e.g., patient movement measured, for example, in steps per minute), body temperature, and current values of patient posture (e.g., lying down, standing, sitting). In some instances, the current values of physiological parameters may be the average or median of measurements over a period of time. These parameters can be used to monitor the patient's physical condition and / or to determine the effectiveness of treatments administered to the patient and / or the need to administer new or different treatments (such as new or different electrical stimulation therapies) based on analysis of sensed parameters and / or instructions received by the IMD 15 from one or more external devices.
[0072] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example inductive power supply system 400 according to various examples described in this disclosure. According to various examples described in this disclosure, system 400 includes a power control circuit 401 electrically coupled to a coil 402 located external to a patient 12. When energized, coil 402 can be configured to provide a time-varying electromagnetic field that can be applied to an implanted medical device (such as an IMD 15). Figure 1 and Figure 2The power control circuit 401 is configured to operably power the IMD 15 under high power load conditions. The power control circuit 401 may be coupled to a computing device 406, which includes a display 406A and one or more input devices 406B (such as a keyboard and / or computer mouse) allowing the user to interact with the power control circuit 401 via the computing device 406. The computing device 406 may be communicatively linked to the power control circuit 401 via a wired connection 406C and / or a wireless connection 406D.
[0073] In various examples, computing device 406 is configured to operate and control power control circuit 401 in such a way that, during high-power load conditions, an alternating current is applied to coil 402 to generate an electromagnetic field to the receiving antenna 96 located within IMD 15 positioned in the electromagnetic field generated by coil 402. Figure 2 Power is transmitted. Additionally, feedback received from IMD 15 (e.g., by computing device 406) Figure 3 The received feedback can be used to control and adjust various aspects of the power control circuit 401 based on any feedback provided by the IMD 15.
[0074] For example, coil 402 may be arranged such that the coil's positioning can, for example, move up and down, left and right, and / or tilt or rotate about one or more axes, in order to position the receiving antenna 96 of IMD 15 ( Figure 2 ) Positioned by coil 402 ( Figure 3 The electromagnetic field generated by the excitation of the receiving antenna is within the estimated optimal envelope. When the receiving antenna is positioned within the estimated optimal envelope, the rotational position angle of the third coil about the longitudinal axis extending between the pair of coils is... (theta) can be independent of the level of coupling efficiency relative to the current induced in the third coil by the composite magnetic field. In another example, the power control circuit 401 can be configured to control coil 402 relative to IMD 15 ( Figure 2 The physical orientation of the receiving antenna 96 of the IMD 15 is used to manipulate the direction of the composite magnetic field applied to the receiving antenna 96, and the orientation angle between the normal axis of the receiving antenna 96 and the longitudinal reference axis. (phi), thereby increasing the level of inductive coupling and the power control circuit 401 ( Figure 3 The power transmitted to the receiving antenna 96 is provided in this manner. Such transmitted RF power (e.g., induced current) includes operational power. In an example where IMD 15 also includes a secondary rechargeable power source, the transmitted RF power may optionally include rechargeable power.
[0075] In some examples, feedback from IMD 15 includes feedback via coil 402 ( Figure 3The value of the level of current induced in the receiving coil of IMD 15 by the inductive coupling of the energy provided. Other information provided by IMD 15 (such as temperature) can be transmitted from IMD 15 to computing device 406 and / or other external devices, and is used by power control circuit 401 to control the excitation of coil 402, and / or determine when to terminate the wireless power transmission process being performed by power control circuit 401 on IMD 15.
[0076] System 400 also includes external computing devices (such as server 408 and one or more other computing devices 411A-411N) communicatively coupled to IMD 15, computing device 406, and / or external device 404 via network 407. In this example, IMD 15 may use its communication circuitry at different times and / or in different locations or settings to communicate with external device 404 via a first wireless connection and / or with access point 405 via a second wireless connection. Figure 3 In the example, computing device 406, access point 405, external device 404, server 408 and computing devices 411A-411N are interconnected and can communicate with each other at least through network 407.
[0077] Access point 405 may include a device connected to network 407 via any of a variety of connections, such as dial-up, digital subscriber line (DSL), or cable modem connections. In other examples, access point 405 may be coupled to network 407 via different forms of connection, including wired or wireless connections. In some examples, access point 405 may be co-located with the patient. Access point 405 may, for example, periodically or in response to commands from the patient or from network 407, query IMD 15 to retrieve physiological measurements and / or other operational or patient data from IMD 15. Access point 405 may provide the retrieved data to server 408 via network 407. In various examples, access point 405 may be a transceiver and / or an external device. In some cases, server 408 may be configured to provide secure storage sites for data already collected from IMD 15, from power control circuitry, and / or from external device 404. In some cases, server 408 can aggregate data in web pages or other documents for viewing by trained professionals (such as clinicians) via computing devices 411A-411N. In some respects, Figure 3 The illustrated system 400 can be similar to the Medtronic system developed by Medtronic Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland. ® CareLink ® The network provides general network technologies and functions to achieve this.
[0078] In some examples, one or more of computing devices 406, access point 405, server 408, or computing devices 411A-411N may be configured to perform the following (e.g., may include processing circuitry configured to perform the following): the processing circuitry described herein, for example, with respect to IMD 15 and external device 404, and the wireless power transmission system 100 ( Figure 1 Some or all of the technologies related to power transmission to IMD 15. In such... Figure 3 In the example of system 400 shown, server 408 includes memory 409 configured to store physiological data and other data received from IMD 15 and / or external device 404, and processing circuitry 410 configured to provide some or all of the functions of the processing circuitry belonging to IMD 15 as described herein. For example, processing circuitry 410 may provide programming and / or parameters used by power control circuitry 401, which may be used in the process of providing power (such as operating power and optionally recharging power) to a power source located within IMD 15. (This is in contrast to the present disclosure.) Figure 4 The configuration and operating characteristics of coil 402 and power control circuit 401 will be further described below.
[0079] Figure 4 The diagrams include various examples of techniques that can be used to construct antenna coils for use in the systems described in this disclosure. Figure 4 The illustrations provided are not necessarily drawn to scale and are intended to illustrate techniques used in providing antenna coils, and do not necessarily represent the relative size, dimensions, and / or scale of the illustrated devices. Figure 4 In Figure 150D, the antenna coil is illustrated as if viewed from an orientation that rotates the longitudinal axis 170 such that the longitudinal axis 170 is directly oriented into the plane of the drawing, perpendicular to both the vertical axis 175 and the horizontal axis 176, which are substantially coplanar with and perpendicular to each other, and to the winding 152 of the antenna coil. The winding 152 may be formed of an electrical conductor (such as a wire) of a certain length, which is formed around a support structure 153 by a plurality of windings around the longitudinal axis 170 at a distance of radius 154. A cross-sectional view AA of the winding 152 of the antenna coil with a thickness 172 is further illustrated and described with respect to Figure 150G. The details shown in Figures 150E, 150F, and 150G will be described below using the axis shown in Figure 150D of the antenna coil for reference. Figure 4 The orientation of the views illustrated in these additional figures is intended to represent the intended use of the views.
[0080] Figure 150E is an illustrative example of a winding 152 formed by the electrical conductors of an antenna coil, which are “flatly spirally wound” around the periphery of a support structure 153 to form the antenna coil. As shown in Figure 150E, the antenna coil is illustrated as if viewed from an orientation that rotates the longitudinal axis 170 of the antenna coil such that the longitudinal axis 170 is directly oriented into the plane of the drawing, perpendicular to both the vertical axis 175 and the horizontal axis 176, which are substantially coplanar with respect to the winding 152 of the antenna coil and perpendicular to each other. As shown in Figure 150E, each layer of the winding 152 of the antenna coil is wound such that all windings are substantially coplanar with respect to each other, and starting from the first input lead 157, which has an initial winding closest to the longitudinal axis 170 and spaced from the longitudinal axis 170 by a distance of radius 154. Additional windings of winding 152 are formed around and surround the initial winding closest to the first input lead 157, and as each winding is added to the antenna coil, a spiral shape is formed around the longitudinal axis 170 at an increasing distance from the longitudinal axis 170, extending to the second input lead 158. As shown in FIG150E, the layer of windings surrounding the support structure 153 and extending between the first input lead 157 and the second input lead 158 has a thickness 172 surrounding the longitudinal axis around the outer periphery of the support structure 153.
[0081] Figure 4 Figure 150F illustrates an example of an electrical conductor of winding 152 being helically wound to form a solenoid-type winding around a support structure 153. Figure 150F illustrates an antenna coil as viewed from an orientation that aligns the longitudinal axis 170 horizontally across the drawing and rotates the horizontal axis 176 so that it is directly oriented into the plane of the drawing, perpendicular to both the vertical axis 175 and the longitudinal axis 170. As shown in Figure 150F, the first input lead 157 of winding 152 is wound near one end 153A of the support structure 153, and a continuous winding is formed along the support structure 153 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 170 toward the second end 153B of the support structure 153 to the second input lead 158, such that the windings of winding 152 formed between the first input lead 157 and the second input lead 158 are at substantially the same distance from the longitudinal axis 170. The winding of winding 152 thus extends a certain distance along the support structure 153, thereby forming the width 173 of the winding.
[0082] In some examples, a combination of the winding techniques of Figures 150E and 150F may be used. For example, the first conductor layer forming winding 152 may be formed as a solenoid winding as shown in Figure 150F, and then another winding layer may be formed over the first winding layer in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 150E, thereby forming winding layers, but wherein each layer includes multiple conductor windings wound in a solenoid winding. In various examples, the total number of these solenoid winding layers formed as a set of windings surrounding another set of windings is not limited to any particular number of winding layers and may include multiple layers forming coil 151.
[0083] Figure 4 Figure 150G is a cross-sectional view AA illustrating an example of a winding 152 formed by the electrical conductors of an antenna coil, which includes a winding using a combination of the helical winding illustrated in Figure 150F, which is stacked with an additional winding layer illustrated in Figure 150E. Figure 150G illustrates the antenna coil as shown in the cross-sectional view and viewed from an orientation that aligns the longitudinal axis 170 horizontally across the drawing and rotates the horizontal axis 176 such that it is directly oriented into the plane of the drawing, perpendicular to both the vertical axis 175 and the longitudinal axis 170. As shown in Figure 150G, a portion 150H of the winding 152 lies above the longitudinal axis 170 and away from it by at least a radius 154. The winding 152 has a thickness 172 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 170 and a width 173 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 170. The cross-sectional shape of the winding 152 within portion 150H may be defined by a two-dimensional shape (such as a square or rectangle) having a thickness of 172 and a width of 173. The cross-sectional shape of the winding 152 illustrated in portion 150H is not limited to any particular shape and may include shapes other than square or rectangular shapes, such as circular or elliptical cross-sectional shapes.
[0084] Similarly, a portion 150J of winding 152 may be located below the longitudinal axis 170 and at least a radius 154 away from the longitudinal axis. The winding 152 in portion 150J may have the same shape as portion 150H, and have the same thickness 172 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 170, and the same width 173 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 170. The cross-sectional shape of the winding 152 within portion 150J may be defined by a two-dimensional shape (such as a square or rectangular device) of the dimensions 172 and 173. The cross-sectional shape of the winding 152 illustrated in portion 150J is not limited to any particular shape and may include the same shape other than a square or rectangular shape, such as a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape, corresponding to the shape of the winding 152 provided in cross-section by portion 150H.
[0085] In each example, it is used for winding. Figure 4 The conductor of any of the antenna coils shown is Litz wire, such as a single-strand or multi-strand wire, wherein the conductors used to form each winding 152 are insulated along the outer surface of the conductor, for example, using a coating (such as enamel), to reduce the skin effect of the conductor. The skin effect is the characteristic of current flowing through an electrical conductor that the current travels through the outer portion (e.g., the “skin” of the conductor) but not through the inner portion of the conductor. The skin effect is more pronounced at higher frequencies. The use of Litz wire helps to reduce the skin effect in the conductor at higher frequencies. Furthermore, by increasing the turn-to-turn spacing, the inter-turn capacitance of the corresponding winding / turn is reduced, thereby increasing the self-resonant frequency of the component and making it possible to apply a higher modulation frequency to the coil. Any of the windings illustrated in Figures 150D, 150E, 150F, and 150G, as well as other winding techniques as will be understood by those skilled in the art, are contemplated for use in forming the receiving antenna 96 for IMD 15. Figure 2 ) and / or transmission antenna 102 ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 It is used in, and can be used to form any other example of the coil described throughout this disclosure.
[0086] Figure 5 This is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example system 300 for operatively powering an IMD 15 implanted in a patient 12, according to various examples described in this disclosure. Figure 5 As illustrated, system 300 can be configured to provide wireless power transmission to one or more implantable medical devices (illustratively shown as IMD 15) that can be implanted in a patient (illustratively shown as patient 12). System 300 includes power control circuitry 302 coupled to a transmission antenna 312. The transmission antenna 312 may include one or more coils. Figure 5 As shown, the arrangement of the transmission antenna 312 relative to the patient 12 is not necessarily intended to illustrate an actual arrangement, such as the positioning and / or proportion of the transmission antenna 312 and the patient 12 during the period when the IMD 15 is being powered on, and is intended to illustrate various characteristics of the system 300. The actual arrangement of the transmission antenna 312 relative to the patient 12 and the IMD 15 may be as follows: Figure 3 The illustrated transmission antenna 102 is as illustrated and described, and / or as relative to Figure 4 The coils 150D-150G are illustrated and described.
[0087] like Figure 5As illustrated, system 300 includes processor control circuitry 320 coupled to power control circuitry 302. Processor control circuitry 320 includes processing circuitry 321 and a memory 322 coupled to processing circuitry 321, for example, via a bus / connector 328 (hereinafter “bus 328”). Memory 322 may store program instructions that, when retrieved and executed by processing circuitry 321, provide programming steps that allow processing circuitry 321 to control power control circuitry 302 to perform power control processes associated with inductively and operably powering the IMD 15 implanted in patient 12 under high power load conditions. Furthermore, memory 322 may also store values such as charge values, charge times, patient history specifically associated with patient 12, communication protocols, and any other information that may or may contribute to allowing processing circuitry 321 to control the operational power supply process for operably powering the IMD 15 during high power load conditions, according to any of the techniques described in this disclosure and any equivalents thereof.
[0088] The processor control circuitry 320 may include communication circuitry 324. Communication circuitry 324 can be used to receive and process signals from the IMD 15 implanted in the patient 12 for use by processing circuitry 321 in controlling inductive power delivery, including but not limited to a battery management system for monitoring and optimizing the inductive power delivery process. Communication circuitry 324 may also be provided with communication with devices located outside the system 300 (e.g., external device 404, or external computing devices 111A-111N, and / or as relative to...). Figure 3 Wireless communication of the external server 108 described and illustrated. Figure 5 In this context, communication circuitry 324 can also be used to download information (such as programming information) to processor control circuitry 320, which can then be stored in memory 322 and accessed by processing circuitry 321. Furthermore, memory 322 can be used to store information related to the inductive power transfer process performed by system 300, such as the energy level supplied to transmission antenna 312 during the inductive power transfer process, any fault conditions that have occurred during the inductive power transfer process, and any other information deemed necessary or helpful that may be related to the inductive power transfer performed by system 300. Such information stored in memory 322 can be provided to computing device 330, and / or uploaded and transmitted via communication circuitry 324 to one or more other external devices, as described above. Figure 5The illustrated processor control circuit 320 may also include a sensor circuit 323 configured to couple to one or more different sensors 325, 326 and to receive signals from the sensors, which may be further processed by the sensor circuit 323 and / or by the processing circuit 321 to provide and / or derive information that may be further used to control and regulate the inductive power transfer process performed by the system 300.
[0089] In various examples, one or more circuits exemplified as including processor control circuitry 320 may alternatively be provided by computing device 330. In various examples, computing device 330 includes a display and one or more input devices, such as a keyboard and / or computer mouse, which allow a user (such as a physician or clinician) to interact with system 300. This interaction may include interactions for controlling inductive power transfer processes to be performed by or being performed by system 300. In some examples, processor control circuitry 320 and power control circuitry 302 include, as relative to… Figure 3 Some or all of the power control circuits in the illustrated and described power control circuit 101 may be provided with any features and configured to perform any function belonging to the power control circuit 101.
[0090] like Figure 5 As shown, the power control circuit 302 includes a power supply 303, a signal generator 304 (which may include an oscillator and signal generation circuitry), multiple power amplifiers 310 and 313, and corresponding multiple matching network circuits 311 and 314. The circuitry of the power control circuit 302 can be coupled via a bus 306. The bus 306 can be the same bus as bus 328, or communicatively coupled to bus 328. The power control circuit 302 includes a power amplifier 310 coupled to the signal generator 304 and configured to receive signals from the signal generator 304. The power amplifier 310 is also coupled to the matching network circuit 311 and configured to provide an output signal to the matching network circuit 311 based on the signal received from the signal generator 304. The matching network circuit 311 can be configured to provide impedance matching between the power amplifier 310 and the transmission antenna 312, and to provide an output that can be coupled to the transmission antenna 312 to excite the transmission antenna 312.
[0091] In some examples, power amplifier 310 receives a signal comprising a waveform generated by signal generator 304 and provides power amplification of the received signal, which is then applied via matching network circuitry 311 to drive transmit antenna 312. Matching network circuitry 311 provides impedance matching between the output stage of power amplifier 310, to which matching network circuitry 311 is coupled, and the transmit antenna 312 driven by power amplifier 310. In various examples, the impedance provided as the output of power amplifier 310 typically ranges from 1 ohm to 100 ohms, and in some examples is 50 ohms, where the real part of the input impedance of transmit antenna 312 will range from 0.1 ohms to 20 ohms, and in some examples is 0.5 ohms. The imaginary part of the complex impedance of the coil can range from 60 ohms to several hundred ohms, depending on the frequency of the signal or the signal applied to the coil. To provide maximum power transfer between the output of power amplifier 310 and transmit antenna 312, this output is coupled to matching network circuitry 311. The matching network circuit is configured to match the impedance of the output of the power amplifier 310 with the transmission antenna 312 via the matching network circuit 311.
[0092] In some examples, the matching network circuit 311 includes an impedance matching transformer configured to match the output impedance of the power amplifier 310 with the input impedance of the transmission antenna 312 coupled to the output of the impedance matching circuit. In some examples, the matching network circuit 311 includes a transformer and / or a capacitor rated for the peak voltage of the components and having a capacitance value adapted to the inductive properties of the coil. In one specific embodiment, an adjustable vacuum ceramic capacitor is placed in series with a transformer ranging from 50Ω to 1Ω. Other configurations and arrangements for performing the impedance matching function of the matching network circuit 311 are contemplated for use in providing matching network circuits 311 and 314 as described in this disclosure.
[0093] In various examples of system 300, because it is difficult to dynamically tune the quality factor of the receiving coil within an implanted medical device (such as IMD 15), or more precisely, to change the frequency at which the quality factor is maximized, the maximum power delivered to IMD 15 can be significantly improved by fixing the system frequency based on the characteristics of the receiving coil and using a tunable vacuum capacitor located between the power amplifier 310 (and subsequently after a transformer) and the coil (such as the transmission antenna 312) to match the output of the power amplifier with the impedance presented by the coil without changing the oscillation frequency, as in rechargeable wireless power delivery systems (such as Medtronic Ltd.'s RESTORE ULTRA from Dublin, Ireland). ®This is practiced in the device. If the secondary / receiving coil of IMD 15 is tuned to a frequency different from the frequency at which power delivery to the primary / transmitting coil, which is found to maximize the induced energy provided by system 300, then frequency-based maximization configuration may result in suboptimal power delivery. Therefore, examples of systems and methods described herein include tuning the impedance of the system at a fixed frequency, rather than changing the frequency of the system, to maximize the power delivered to the receiving coil in the implanted device.
[0094] like Figure 5 As shown, power supply 303 is coupled to power input 301 and configured to receive electrical power from input 301. Power input 301 can be any source of electrical power, such as commercially available electricity supplied by a power company, for example, electricity with 110-120 volt RMS single-phase power at a frequency of 50-60 Hz, as is commonly available in the United States. In other examples, input 301 can provide power in other arrangements, such as, but not limited to, 480V three-phase in an ungrounded delta configuration at 50-60 Hz, or a 208 three-phase “Y” configuration at 50-60 Hz. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other voltages, frequencies, configurations, and numbers of phases are contemplated for use as input power for system 300. Power supply 303 is configured to receive electrical power at input 301 and can perform various operations on the received electrical power, including regulation, filtering, and converting the input power voltage to one or more different voltages, including different voltages provided as an AC voltage source and a DC power source, as outputs from power supply 303. Outputs are typically indicated by an "output to other circuits" arrow, illustratively provided as an output from power supply 303, and may include any power outputs required to operate a device included in and powered by system 300 for the purpose of powering the circuit.
[0095] In some examples, power supply 303 is also configured to provide one or more separate outputs, illustratively indicated by “to power amplifier” output arrows from power supply 303. These outputs from power supply 303 may be coupled to power amplifier 310 provided as part of power control circuitry 302, and wherein the “to power amplifier” outputs are configured to provide power for driving the transmission antenna 312 under the control of power amplifier 310.
[0096] exist Figure 5In this circuit, signal generator 304 is coupled to bus 306. Signal generator 304 can be configured to generate one or more output signals that control the waveform of power supplied to drive transmission antenna 312. For example, signal generator 304 can generate a signal with a sinusoidal voltage waveform and a specific frequency. This signal is provided to the power amplifier and matching network circuitry of power control circuitry 302. In some examples, the sinusoidal waveform is converted to a square wave with the same frequency as the sinusoidal waveform generated by signal generator 304, or in other examples, signal generator 304 can change the frequency of the square wave signal. In some examples, the duty cycle of the square wave can be the same as the duty cycle provided by the sinusoidal waveform (e.g., 50% duty cycle), and in other examples, signal generator 304 can change the duty cycle to a duty cycle other than 50%.
[0097] In some examples, signal generator 304 amplifies the signal, for example, to change the voltage level of the signal. In some examples, signal generator 304 is configured to process the signal to maintain the processed signal as a sinusoidal waveform, but also, for example, to act as a buffer or driver to amplify and / or drive the output signal from signal generator 304 to power amplifier 310, and, for example, to prevent the power amplifier from loading or otherwise distorting the signal provided from signal generator 304. In some examples, one or more power amplifiers in the power amplifier include Class D amplifiers. In some examples, one or more power amplifiers in the power amplifier include Class E amplifiers. In some examples, signal generator 304 can provide frequency tuning (closed-loop or open-loop) to optimize the transmit antenna 312 and receive antenna 96 of IMD 15. Figure 2 Wireless power transfer between [systems]. This tuning may or may not be integrated and coordinated with the battery management system and telemetry / communication system.
[0098] Once generated by signal generator 304 ( Figure 5The signal generator 304 is coupled to a power amplifier 310, which is configured to use the signal processed by the signal generator 304 to control the output of electrical power supplied to the transmission antenna 312 by the matching network circuit 311. This signal can be provided by coupling the power amplifier 310 to the power amplifier output of the power supply 303. The output from the power amplifier 310 is then provided as an output to the matching network circuit 311 to drive the transmission antenna 312. The matching network circuit 311 may also include a feedback loop 311A that provides a feedback signal (such as a varying voltage level) indicating the level of energy (e.g., current) supplied to the transmission antenna 312 by the matching network circuit 311. This feedback signal may be processed by one or more devices included in the system 300 (e.g., processing circuitry 321 or computing device 330, or other battery management system) to provide information that can be used to control and regulate the output of electrical power supplied to drive the transmission antenna 312.
[0099] In some examples of system 300, positioning control circuitry 316 is coupled to bus 306. Positioning control circuitry 316 is coupled to structure 340, which includes one or more mechanical actuators, illustratively represented as motor 341. Structure 340 and motor 341 may be physically coupled to transmission antenna 312, and in some examples to a specific structure (…). Figure 5 (Not shown in the image), such as a worktable where the patient 12 can lie down or sit when positioned near the transmission antenna 312. Positioning control circuitry 316 may be configured to drive motor 341 to control the movement of structure 340, and thus control the positioning of transmission antenna 312 and / or the position of patient 12 (e.g., lying down or sitting) of the structure. Figure 5 (Not shown in the image). The positioning control circuit 316 may receive instructions from the processing circuit 321, for example, and control the motor 341 to reposition the transmission antenna 312 and / or the patient 12 with the IMD 15. The positioning control circuit 316 may be configured, for example, to operate the motor 341 to... Figure 5The transmission antenna 312 and / or patient 12 and IMD 15 are moved in an upward or downward direction as indicated by arrow 317 and / or a left or right direction as indicated by arrow 318. The actuator controlled by positioning control circuitry 316 is not limited to any particular type of one or more actuator devices, and may be a combination of two or more different types of actuator devices that operate in combination to position the transmission antenna 312. Actuator devices may include electrical actuators, such as motors, including but not limited to stepper motors or servo motors, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators (such as pneumatic or hydraulic motors and / or pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders), and mechanical actuators, which may include gears, tracks, pulleys, or other mechanical devices coupled to provide mechanical movement. Actuator devices may include linear actuator devices configured to provide movement in a linear direction, and rotary actuators configured to provide rotational movement.
[0100] Furthermore, the positioning control circuit 316 can also be configured, for example, to tilt or rotate the positioning of the transmission antenna 312 relative to the longitudinal axis 170, such as by... Figure 5 As indicated by arrow 319 in the diagram. As described above, the movement and repositioning of the transmission antenna 312 and / or the patient 12 and IMD 15 can be based on one or more feedback signals provided from IMD 15, which indicate the level of electrical energy sensed in the receiving antenna of IMD 15. Positioning control circuitry 316 can be configured to receive this feedback information or, for example, instructions generated by processing circuitry 321 based on the feedback information, and to move the transmission antenna 312 and / or the patient 12 and IMD 15 to a position that provides a magnetic field provided by the transmission antenna 312 to the receiving antenna 96 of IMD 15 (…). Figure 2 The most efficient coupling.
[0101] In operation, patients 12 (of whom IMD 15 requires power supply for operation of IMD under high power load conditions) Figure 5 The IMD 15 is positioned such that it is located within the region of the synthetic magnetic field that will be generated by the transmitting antenna 312 when the coil is energized. Based on control provided by the processing circuitry 321 and / or by instructions received from the computing device 330, the signal generator 304 generates one or more signals that are provided to the power amplifier 310. The power amplifier 310 provides power output to energize the transmitting antenna 312 based at least in part on the received signals, and in some examples on instructions received from the processing circuitry 321. When energized, the transmitting antenna 312 generates a magnetic field (such as the synthetic magnetic field 331) to the receiving antenna 96 of the IMD 15. Figure 2 On the IMD 15, the receiving antenna begins to provide induced power.
[0102] By IMD 15 ( Figure 5 The signals provided to the communication circuit 324 and / or the signals provided as feedback loop 311A are processed, for example, by the processing circuit 321 and / or by the positioning control circuit 316, and, if deemed necessary, can be used to reposition the transmission antenna 312 and / or the patient 12 in a sitting or lying position (as described above) so that the magnetic field provided by the transmission antenna 312 is in contact with the receiving antenna 96 of the powered IMD 15. Figure 2 This provides better coupling efficiency between the transmitting antenna 312 and / or the IMD 15. In some examples, the positioning of the transmitting antenna 312 and / or the IMD 15 may include moving the coil and / or the patient / IMD up or down (as indicated by arrow 317) and / or left or right (as indicated by arrow 318) to position the receiving antenna of the IMD 15 within an estimated optimal envelope generated by the synthetic magnetic field 331 provided by the transmitting antenna 312. As described above, the transmitting antenna 312 and / or the receiving antenna 96 of the IMD 15 may be controlled based on one or more feedback signals received from the IMD 15. Figure 2 The positioning of the receiving antenna is such that it is positioned by the transmitting antenna 312 ( Figure 5 The estimated optimal envelope of the synthetic magnetic field generated in the region is indicated by one or more feedback signals, which indicate the intensity or level of energy induced in the receiving antenna at any given time.
[0103] In some examples, control over the power level supplied to the transmitting antenna 312 can be determined based on a feedback signal received from the IMD 15, which indicates the power sensed at the receiving antenna 96 at any given time. Figure 2 The intensity and / or level of energy in ) can be determined, for example, by processing circuit 321 ( Figure 5 The generated feedback signal or instruction based on the feedback signal is provided to the positioning control circuit 316 to reposition the transmission antenna 312 and / or the patient 12 to position the receiving antenna of the IMD 15 within the estimated optimal power transmission envelope of the synthetic magnetic field of the transmission antenna 312. The feedback signal or instruction based on the feedback signal can also be provided to the signal generator 304 and / or the power amplifier 310 to cause the power control circuit 302 to control the relative level of electrical energy supplied by the circuit to the transmission antenna 312 to manipulate the synthetic magnetic field (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 5 The synthetic magnetic field 332 shown is used to maximize the coupling efficiency achieved between the synthetic magnetic field and the receiving antenna of IMD 15.
[0104] During the process of inductively transmitting power (such as operating power) to the IMD 15, various sensors 325, 326 can be monitored, and information received or derived from the sensors can be used to further control the power supply process. For example, a temperature sensor located at the coil can provide a signal indicating the temperature of the transmitting antenna 312 and can be monitored during the inductive power transmission process to determine if the coil may be overheating. In some examples, one or more of the sensors 325, 326 can sense the magnetic field strength and / or direction of the composite magnetic field at one or more locations in the region surrounding the transmitting antenna 312. Information from the one or more sensors 325, 326 can be received at sensor circuitry 323 and can be further processed, for example, by processing circuitry 321 to further control the power supply process performed by system 300. For example, the level of the strength of the magnetic field generated by the transmitting antenna 312, as sensed by the one or more sensors 325, 326, can be monitored to ensure that a safe level of electromagnetic field exposure is maintained for the patient.
[0105] In some examples, the temperature of the patient 12 or IMD 15 may be monitored during the inductive power transfer process. These sensed temperatures of the patient 12 and / or IMD 15 can be used to control the inductive power transfer process, for example, by reducing the level of energy supplied to the transmission antenna 312 if the temperature of the patient 12 or IMD 15 is rising, and by cutting off the energy supplied to the coil, for example, if the temperature of the patient or IMD 15 exceeds a temperature considered safe for the patient. Additionally, the strength of the magnetic field being generated and applied to the IMD 15 may be monitored during the inductive power transfer process, and the sensed magnetic field strength may be processed and used to further regulate the process, for example, by increasing or decreasing the level of electrical energy supplied to the transmission antenna 312. It may be necessary to monitor the strength of the magnetic field applied to the patient 12 to ensure that the magnetic field strength level does not exceed a predetermined level, or does not exceed a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time. Monitoring may include reducing (including lowering) the energy level or cutting off the electrical energy supplied to the coil for safety reasons if the magnetic field strength instantaneously and / or over a predetermined period of time exceeds one or more predetermined values.
[0106] In various examples, processing circuitry 321 regulates various functions related to the inductive power transfer process. Processing circuitry 321 may include a timer function for controlling and limiting the duration during which patient 12 may be exposed to the magnetic field generated by transmitting antenna 312. The timing function may be provided by one or more timers included in processing circuitry 321 and may be paused based on one or more timer values stored in memory 322. Processing circuitry 321 may also regulate the distribution of the level of electrical energy supplied to the coil throughout the duration of the inductive power transfer process, such that the distribution can be based on a distribution that can be stored in memory 322 and retrieved and executed by processing circuitry 321, traversing the magnetic field to receiving antenna 96 (…). Figure 1 The processing circuit 321 can set and / or change the level of electrical power supplied to the transmission antenna 312 based on the duration of the transmitted power. The processing circuit 321 can further adjust and / or terminate the induced power transfer process to the IMD 15 based on information received from the IMD 15. For example, the wireless signal 327 provided by the IMD 15 may indicate that the IMD 15 is no longer operating under high power load conditions, and that further exposure of both the patient 12 and the IMD 15 to the magnetic field will not provide any further benefit. In such cases, the processing circuit 321 can terminate the induced power transfer process to minimize the amount of magnetic field exposure of the patient 12 generated by the system 300, regardless of whether the timer has indicated that the time for induced power transfer to the IMD 15 has expired.
[0107] Figure 6 Example graphs 350 and 360 illustrate representative waveforms according to the various examples described in this disclosure, which can be generated by a signal generator (such as... relative to...) Figure 5 The signal generator 304 and / or signal generator 305 (illustrated and described) generates and is applied to the transmission antenna 312 coupled to the power control circuit. (Figure 350) Figure 6 An example waveform 351 of a square wave with an amplitude value plotted relative to a vertical axis 352 over time (time is represented by horizontal axis 353) is illustrated. Waveform 351 includes a peak-to-peak amplitude 354 and a period 355. In various examples, the peak-to-peak amplitude 354 of waveform 351 may include a voltage range of 10mV to 100V, and in some examples, 5V. In some examples, the peak-to-peak amplitude depends on the selected power amplifier to which waveform 351 is being supplied in order to generate an output for exciting one or both of a pair of coils.
[0108] In some examples, the power amplifier driven by waveform 351 is a fixed-amplitude power amplifier capable of providing a 400-watt output signal based on a variable input signal with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 10-200mV. In some examples, the reference voltage level 356 may include a zero-volt reference voltage, wherein a portion of waveform 351 is set at a voltage level higher than the reference voltage 356, and a portion of waveform 351 is set at a voltage level lower than the reference voltage level 356. In various examples, the duty cycle of waveform 351 over period 355 provides a 50% duty cycle. In various examples, the duty cycle of waveform 351 over period 355 provides a duty cycle other than the 50% duty cycle. In various examples, the period 355 of waveform 351 is in the range of 100 microseconds to 10 nanoseconds, which represents a frequency range of 10 kHz to 100 MHz for waveform 351.
[0109] In some examples, a current having a waveform corresponding to waveform 351 is applied to the transmission antenna 312. Figure 5 When as Figure 6 The waveform 351 shown is applied to the transmission antenna 312 ( Figure 5 When the synthesized magnetic field is perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis of the transmitting antenna 312, the resulting magnetic field can have a direction perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis of the transmitting antenna 312. This portion of the synthesized magnetic field can be used to induce current in the receiving antenna 96. Figure 2 In this configuration, the receiving antenna is positioned within the portion of the synthetic magnetic field that includes the vertical direction. Furthermore, by applying waveform 351 (… Figure 6 The transmission antenna 312 is excited by a current in the form of ) Figure 5 The antenna can also be tilted so that the direction of the synthesized magnetic field is aligned with the receiving antenna 96. Figure 2 The orientation axis is aligned to maximize the level of coupling efficiency between the synthesized magnetic field and the current induced in the receiving antenna. Therefore, the synthesized magnetic field can be generated using only a single coil to achieve coupling via waveform 351 ( Figure 6 ) provided to transmission antenna 312 ( Figure 5 The electrical power of ) and the induced receiving antenna 96 ( Figure 2 The maximum coupling efficiency level between the current levels in the transmission antenna 312. Waveform 351 applied to the transmission antenna 312 ( Figure 6 Other and / or different combinations of the differences between electrical parameters are not limited to peak-to-peak amplitudes of the waveform 354 ( Figure 6 Changes to, and may include other changes, such as those applied to, for example, transmission antenna 312 ( Figure 5 The change in the duty cycle of the waveform.
[0110] 360° curve graph Figure 6An example waveform 361 is illustrated, generated from signal generator 304, and exhibiting different amplitude values plotted relative to vertical axis 362 over time (represented by horizontal axis 363). Waveform 361 includes peak-to-peak amplitude 364 and has a period 365. In various examples, peak-to-peak amplitude 364 may include a voltage range from 10mV to 100V, and in some examples, 5V peak-to-peak, depending on the desired peak magnetic field strength and the capacity of the power amplifier employed. In some examples, the power amplifier is a fixed 400W power amplifier; in other examples, the power amplifier includes a variable output between 2W and 1kW. In some examples, reference voltage level 366 may include a zero-volt reference voltage, wherein a portion of waveform 361 provides a voltage level higher than reference voltage level 366, and another portion of each cycle of waveform 361 includes a voltage value lower than reference voltage level 366. In various examples, the duty cycle of waveform 361 over period 365 provides a 50% duty cycle. In the various examples, the time period 365 of waveform 361 is in the range of 100 microseconds to 10 nanoseconds, which represents the frequency range of waveform 361 from 10 kHz to 100 MHz.
[0111] Other and / or different combinations of electrical parameters of the waveform 361 applied to the transmission antenna 312 are not limited to variations in the amplitude 364 of the waveform, and may include other variations such as the difference in phase of the waveform applied to, for example, the transmission antenna 312.
[0112] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example wireless power transmission system comprising multiple coils according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. System 600 is described above regarding... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 Examples of systems 100, 300, and 400 are described, and may have the same or similar functions and features as systems 100, 300, and 400. Figure 7A express Figure 7B AA sectional view.
[0113] Figure 7A An example is illustrated of a patient 624 lying on a wireless power transmission system 600, which includes coils depicted by 612, 614, 616, and 618, and driver circuitry 610. The wireless power transmission system 600 can generate one or more electromagnetic fields to wirelessly transmit operating power to operatively power the receiver 652. In some examples, the power receiver 652 may be an implantable medical device, such as... Figure 5IMD 15. In some examples, the power receiving device 652 may be located in the chest area, near the collarbone, ankle, hip area, hip pocket, or any other location on the patient 624.
[0114] Figure 7A and Figure 7B One example depicts the wireless power transmission system 600 as a mat or bed in which a patient 624 is positioned. In other examples, the wireless power transmission system 600 may be mounted in a chair, the seat of a car or other vehicle, or other similar locations. Figure 7A This is an example cross-sectional view of the wireless power transmission system 600 disclosed herein, and Figure 7B This is its top view. In some examples, the coil cross sections 612, 614, 616, and 618 can be implemented as multiple loops of a single coil. In other examples, the coil cross sections 612, 614, 616, and 618 can depict individual overlapping coils or individual non-overlapping coils.
[0115] The driver circuit 610 may include processing circuitry, coil drive amplifier circuitry, tuning circuitry, communication circuitry, sensing circuitry (including filters, amplifiers, etc. connected to one or more sensors), and other circuitry not specifically listed. The driver circuit 610 may drive each of the one or more coils of the system 600 together or individually. The driver circuit 610 may control the phase angle, frequency, magnitude, and other characteristics of the drive signal to focus or broaden the electromagnetic field generated by the one or more coils.
[0116] In some examples, system 600 may include a single coil, such as Figure 7B As shown in the example. In other examples, system 600 may include multiple coils. In some examples, system 600 may include a first coil formed by 612 and 618 near the upper body of patient 624, and a second coil formed by 614 and 616 near the legs of patient 624. In other examples, system 600 may include overlapping coils, for example, a first coil formed by 614 and 618 near the upper body of patient 624, and a second coil formed by 612 and 616 near the lower body of patient 624. In other examples, system 600 may include three or more coils, which may be arranged as overlapping or adjacent coils. The portion of the coil indicated by 612 and 614 is not shown in the example. Figure 7B As shown in the image.
[0117] The driver circuit 610 can be positioned such that the coil of the system 300 can generate a coil covering the processing circuit 110. Figure 1 ), driver circuit and one or more sensors 325, 326 ( Figure 5The electromagnetic field of the one or more coils. The one or more sensors may include a temperature sensor to provide a temperature measurement for the one or more coils. Other sensors may generate a representation of the driver circuit 610 ( Figure 7A and Figure 7B The signal indicates the spatial relationship between the driver circuit 610 and the coils. For example, when a patient 624 approaches the driver circuit 610 to sit or lie down, components of the system 600 may conform to the surface of the patient 624. The spatial relationship between the driver circuit 610 and the coils may change as the patient 624 moves. For example, the coils depicted by 614 and 616 may compress and move closer to the driver circuit 610. Changes in the shape and angle of the coils may cause changes in the electromagnetic field surrounding the driver circuit 610, and consequently, changes in the drive signal and the operation of the processing circuitry. Based on indications from strain gauges, capacitive sensors, pressure sensors, or other sensors, the processing circuitry of the driver circuit 610 may determine the change in spatial relationship and cause adjustments to the drive signal that compensate for the change in the drive signal caused by the change in spatial relationship.
[0118] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example technique for powering the high-power operation of an IMD. Although relative to the reference... Figure 1 Wireless power transmission system 100 Figure 2 IMD 15 Figure 3 System 400 and / or Figure 5 The method 800 is described using the apparatus and system exemplified by system 300, but method 800 ( Figure 8 It is not limited to being executed by any of these systems, and may be executed wholly or in part by any of the example apparatuses and / or systems and their equivalents described in this disclosure.
[0119] Processing circuitry 85 can control power control circuitry 91 to supply power (801) to the operation of IMD 15 from power source 89. For example, processing circuitry 85 can control power control circuitry 91 to supply power from power source 89 to the operation of primary therapeutic functions of IMD 15, which may be internal to IMD 15. Such primary therapeutic functions may include pacing, conduction system pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy, etc. Power source 89 can also supply power to relatively low-power functions, such as sensing physiological parameters.
[0120] Processing circuitry 85 can determine the presence of an induced current on receiving antenna 96 (802). For example, processing circuitry 85 may include a current detector configured to detect the induced current. The induced current on receiving antenna 96 can be detected from wireless power transmission system 100 ( Figure 1 () was received.
[0121] Based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna 96, the processing circuit 85 can control the power control circuit 91 to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD 15 from the induced current (803). For example, the processing circuit 85 can control the power control circuit 91 to start supplying power, and thus initiate the at least one high-power operation.
[0122] In some examples, the at least one high-power operation of IMD 15 includes one or more of the following: data transmission operation, artificial intelligence application, or administration of cardiac therapy. In some examples, cardiac therapy includes at least one of the following: therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation, or therapy for reducing cardiac wall thickness.
[0123] In some examples, processing circuitry 85 may initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on the presence of an induced current. In some examples, processing circuitry 85 may initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on at least one of the following conditions of the induced current: exceeding a threshold, or being equal to or greater than a current sufficient to power the at least one high-power operation of the IMD. In some examples, the at least one high-power operation causes the current drawn by IMD 15 to exceed a threshold. In some examples, the induced current includes operating power and recharge power, and wherein power control circuitry 91 uses the recharge power to recharge the rechargeable battery of the power source.
[0124] In some examples, the wireless power transfer system 100 includes a transmitting antenna 102 and a driver circuit 114 configured to excite the transmitting antenna 102 with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field, thereby transferring an induced current to a receiving antenna 96 of the IMD 15. In some examples, at least one of the transmitting antenna 102 or the receiving antenna 96 includes an antenna coil. In some examples, the radio frequency energy does not exceed the maximum specific absorption rate of radio frequency energy by human tissue. In some examples, the transmitting antenna 102 and the receiving antenna 96 utilize the Qi power transfer protocol.
[0125] In some examples, the transmission antenna 102 is incorporated into a support that includes any of the following: a mattress, pillow, or armrest. In some examples, the wireless power transmission system 100 also includes one or more sensors operatively coupled to the processing circuitry 110 of the wireless power transmission system 100. The processing circuitry 110 of the wireless power transmission system 100 is also configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors 325, 326 (…). Figure 5The processing circuit 110 receives a signal representing the spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna 102 and the receiving antenna 96. The processing circuit 110 is also configured to control the driver circuit 114 based on the signal representing the spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna 102 and the receiving antenna 96, so as to adjust the drive signal output from the driver circuit 114 to the transmitting antenna 102.
[0126] In some examples, IMD 15 also includes (e.g., in sensor 92) one or more temperature sensors configured to generate a signal indicating the temperature of IMD 15. In such examples, the processing circuitry 110 of the wireless power transmission system 100 is also configured to receive an indication of the temperature of IMD 15 from IMD 15 and control the driver circuitry 114 in response to the indication of the temperature of IMD 15. For example, IMD 15 may transmit an indication of the temperature of IMD 15 to the wireless power transmission system 100 via communication circuitry 90 based on signals from the one or more temperature sensors. The wireless power transmission system 100 may transmit the indication of the temperature of IMD 15 via communication circuitry 324. Figure 5 ) Receive such instructions.
[0127] In one or more examples, the above functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, and only as an example, without limitation, Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B Various components (such as processing circuit 110) Figure 1 ), power control circuit 101 ( Figure 3 ), power control circuit 302 ( Figure 5 ), IMD 15 components ( Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 ) and driver circuit 310 ( Figure 7AThe functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium or a communication medium, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as a data storage medium, and the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates, for example, the transfer of a computer program from one place to another according to a communication protocol. Thus, a computer-readable medium can generally correspond to: (1) a non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. The data storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code, and / or data structures for implementing the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer program product may contain a computer-readable medium.
[0128] The term "non-transitory" can indicate that the storage medium is not represented in a carrier wave or propagating signal. In some examples, a non-transitory storage medium may store data that may change over time (e.g., in RAM or cache). By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compressed disk ROM (CD-ROM), floppy disk, magnetic tape cassette, magnetic media, optical media, or other computer system-readable media. In some examples, the article of manufacture may include one or more computer-readable storage media.
[0129] Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. However, it should be understood that the terms "computer-readable storage medium" and "data storage medium" do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but rather refer to non-transient tangible storage media. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0130] Instructions can be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more DSPs, general-purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, CPLDs, or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. Therefore, the term "processor" (such as processing circuitry 110) as used herein can refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other structures suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. Furthermore, these techniques can be fully implemented in one or more circuit or logic elements.
[0131] The techniques disclosed herein can be implemented in a variety of devices or apparatuses, including integrated circuits (ICs) or IC sets (e.g., chipsets). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of a device configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but they do not necessarily need to be implemented through different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined with suitable software and / or firmware within hardware units, or provided as a collection of interoperable hardware units including one or more processors as described above.
[0132] Various embodiments of this disclosure have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.
[0133] The following are examples of the techniques described in this article.
[0134] Example 1: A system comprising: Implantable medical device (IMD), the implantable medical device comprising: A power source; a receiving antenna configured to receive an induced current from a wireless power transmission system; a power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit being configured to control the supply of power to the operation of the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; and a processing circuit coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: control the power control circuit to supply power to the operation of the IMD from the power source; determine the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna; and control the power control circuit to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna.
[0135] Example 2: According to the system of Example 1, the at least one high-power operation of the IMD includes one or more of the following: data transmission operation, artificial intelligence application, or administration of cardiac therapy.
[0136] Example 3: The system according to Example 2, wherein the cardiac therapy includes at least one of the following: a therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation, or a therapy for reducing cardiac wall thickness.
[0137] Example 4: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on the presence of the induced current.
[0138] Example 5: According to the system of Example 4, the processing circuit is further configured to initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on at least one of the following conditions of the induced current: exceeding a threshold, or being equal to or greater than a current sufficient to power the at least one high-power operation of the IMD.
[0139] Example 6: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the at least one high-power operation causes the current draw of the IMD to exceed a threshold.
[0140] Example 7: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the induced current includes operating power and recharge power, and wherein the power control circuit is further configured to use the recharge power to recharge the rechargeable battery of the power source.
[0141] Example 8: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, the system further includes the wireless power transmission system, the wireless power transmission system including: a transmitting antenna; and a driver circuit configured to excite the transmitting antenna with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field to transmit the induced current to the receiving antenna.
[0142] Example 9: The system according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the transmitting antenna or the receiving antenna includes an antenna coil.
[0143] Example 10: The system according to Example 8 or Example 9, wherein the radio frequency energy does not exceed the maximum specific absorption rate of radio frequency energy absorbed by human tissue.
[0144] Example 11: The system according to any one of Examples 8 to 10, wherein the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna utilize the Qi power transmission protocol.
[0145] Example 12: The system according to any one of Examples 8 to 11, wherein the transmission antenna is incorporated into a support comprising any one of the following: a mattress, a pillow, or an armrest.
[0146] Example 13: The system according to any one of Examples 8 to 12, wherein the wireless power transmission system further includes one or more sensors operatively coupled to the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system is further configured to: receive from the one or more sensors a signal representing a spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna; and control the driver circuitry based on the signal representing the spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to adjust a drive signal output from the driver circuitry to the transmitting antenna.
[0147] Example 14: The system according to any one of Examples 8 to 13, wherein the IMD further includes one or more temperature sensors configured to generate a signal indicating the temperature of the IMD, and wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system is further configured to receive an indication of the temperature of the IMD from the IMD, and to control the driver circuitry in response to the indication of the temperature of the IMD.
[0148] Example 15: A method operable by an implantable medical device (IMD), the method comprising: controlling a power control circuit to supply power to the operation of the IMD from a power source internal to the IMD; determining the presence of an induced current on a receiving antenna, the induced current being received from a wireless power transmission system; and controlling the power control circuit to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna.
[0149] Example 16: According to the method of Example 15, the at least one high-power operation of the IMD includes one or more of the following: data transmission operation, artificial intelligence application, or administration of cardiac therapy.
[0150] Example 17: The method according to Example 16, wherein the cardiac therapy includes at least one of the following: a therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation, or a therapy for reducing cardiac wall thickness.
[0151] Example 18: The method according to any one of Examples 15 to 17, the method further comprising initiating the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on the presence of the induced current.
[0152] Example 19: According to the method of Example 18, the initiation of the at least one high-power operation of the IMD is also based on at least one of the following conditions of the induced current: exceeding a threshold, or being equal to or greater than a current sufficient to power the at least one high-power operation of the IMD.
[0153] Example 20: A system comprising: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes: a power source; a receiving antenna configured to receive an induced current from a wireless power transmission system; a power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit being configured to power operation of the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; a processing circuit coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: control the power control circuit to power operation of the IMD from the power source; determine the presence of the induced current; and based on the presence of the induced current, control the power control circuit to power at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the power source to the induced current; and the wireless power transmission system includes: a transmitting antenna; and a driver circuit configured to excite the transmitting antenna with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field to transmit the induced current to the receiving antenna.
Claims
1. A system comprising: Implantable medical device (IMD), the implantable medical device comprising: Power source; A receiving antenna configured to receive induced current from a wireless power transmission system; A power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit being configured to control the power supply to the operation of the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; The processing circuit is coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: Control the power control circuit to supply power to the operation of the IMD from the power source; Determine the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna; and The power control circuit is controlled based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one high-power operation of the IMD includes one or more of the following: data transmission operation, artificial intelligence application, or administration of cardiac therapy.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cardiac therapy comprises at least one of the following: a therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial and ventricular nerve stimulation, or a therapy for reducing cardiac wall thickness.
4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on the presence of the induced current.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to initiate the at least one high-power operation of the IMD based on at least one of the following conditions of the induced current: exceeding a threshold, or being equal to or greater than a current sufficient to power the at least one high-power operation of the IMD.
6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one high-power operation causes the current draw of the IMD to exceed a threshold.
7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the wireless power transmission system, the wireless power transmission system comprising: Transmission antenna; and A driver circuit configured to excite the transmitting antenna with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field to transmit the induced current to the receiving antenna.
8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the transmitting antenna or the receiving antenna comprises an antenna coil.
9. The system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the radio frequency energy does not exceed the maximum specific absorption rate of radio frequency energy by human tissue.
10. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna utilize the Qi power transmission protocol.
11. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the transmission antenna is incorporated into a support comprising any one of the following: a mattress, a pillow, or an armrest.
12. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the wireless power transmission system further comprises one or more sensors operatively coupled to the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system, wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system is further configured to: Receive signals from the one or more sensors representing the spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna; and The driver circuit is controlled based on the signal representing the spatial relationship between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to adjust the drive signal output from the driver circuit to the transmitting antenna.
13. The system of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the IMD further comprises one or more temperature sensors configured to generate a signal indicating the temperature of the IMD, and wherein the processing circuitry of the wireless power transmission system is further configured to receive an indication of the temperature of the IMD from the IMD, and to control the driver circuitry in response to the indication of the temperature of the IMD.
14. A method operable by an implantable medical device (IMD), the method comprising: A power control circuit is used to supply power to the operation of the IMD from a power source located inside the IMD; The presence of an induced current on the receiving antenna is determined, the induced current being received from the wireless power transmission system; as well as The power control circuit is controlled based on the presence of the induced current on the receiving antenna to supply power to at least one high-power operation of the IMD from the induced current.
15. A system comprising: An implantable medical device (IMD), the IMD comprising: Power source; A receiving antenna configured to receive induced current from a wireless power transmission system; A power control circuit coupled to the power source and the receiving antenna, the power control circuit being configured to power the operation of the IMD from at least one of the power source or the induced current; The processing circuit is coupled to the power control circuit and configured to: Control the power control circuit to supply power to the operation of the IMD from the power source; Determine the presence of the induced current; and The power control circuit is controlled based on the presence of the induced current to supply power from the power source to at least one high-power operation of the IMD; and The wireless power transmission system includes: Transmission antenna; and A driver circuit configured to excite the transmitting antenna with radio frequency energy to generate a magnetic field to transmit the induced current to the receiving antenna.