System and method for remotely recharging an energy storage element of an autonomous medical device

Abstract

System and method for remotely recharging an energy storage element of a stand-alone medical device The present description relates to a recharging system (10) comprising a mobile recharging device (30) and a recharging station (40), the mobile recharging device (30) comprising a first electro-acoustic transducer connected to an electrical energy storage element, the recharging station (40) comprising a second electro-acoustic transducer (44) and an electrical outlet (47) for supplying electricity to the recharging station (40), the second electro-acoustic transducer (44) being configured to emit first ultrasonic waves and the first electro-acoustic transducer being configured to convert the first ultrasonic waves into a first electrical signal for recharging the electrical energy storage element. Figure for abstract: Fig. 8

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for remotely recharging an energy storage element of an autonomous medical device Technical field

[0001] The present description generally relates to a system and a method for remotely recharging an energy storage element of an autonomous device, in particular an implantable medical device. Prior art

[0002] An implantable medical device may comprise an actuator or a sensor powered by an energy storage element. It is desirable to be able to recharge the energy storage element remotely, i.e. without electrical connection with the autonomous device. It is desirable that the charging operation can be implemented simply by a user and without requiring excessive immobilization of the user. Summary of the invention

[0003] An embodiment overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of known systems and methods for remotely recharging an energy storage element of an autonomous device, in particular an implantable medical device.

[0004] One embodiment provides a charging system comprising a mobile charging device and a charging station, the mobile charging device comprising a first electro-acoustic transducer connected to a first electrical energy storage element, the charging station comprising a second electro-acoustic transducer and an electrical outlet for supplying electrical power to the charging station, the second electro-acoustic transducer being configured to emit first ultrasonic waves and the first electro-acoustic transducer being configured to convert the first ultrasonic waves into a first electrical signal for recharging the first electrical energy storage element.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the mobile charging device comprises a first housing having a first face, the first electro-acoustic transducer being exposed on the first face, and the charging station comprises a second housing comprising a second face and an opening extending from the second face, the second electro-acoustic transducer being exposed at the bottom of the opening.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the depression comprises a stop and the mobile recharging device comprises a surface configured to bear against said stop.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the recharging system further comprises a stand-alone device comprising a third electro-acoustic transducer connected to a second electrical energy storage element, the first electro-acoustic transducer being configured to emit second ultrasonic waves and the third electro-acoustic transducer being configured to convert the second ultrasonic waves into a second electrical signal for recharging the second electrical energy storage element.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the autonomous device is an implantable medical device comprising a sensor and / or an actuator.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the autonomous device comprises a sensor and / or an actuator intended to be placed in isolation in a medium in which the second ultrasonic waves can propagate and powered by the second electrical energy storage element.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the autonomous device is an autonomous sensor intended to be placed in isolation in a medium in which the second ultrasonic waves can propagate.

[0011] An embodiment also provides a method for recharging a mobile charging device comprising a first electro-acoustic transducer connected to a first electrical energy storage element by means of a charging station comprising a second electro-acoustic transducer and an electrical outlet for supplying electrical power to the charging station, the method comprising placing the mobile charging device in contact with the charging station so that the first electro-acoustic transducer is opposite the second electro-acoustic transducer, emitting first ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer, converting the first ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer into a first electrical signal and recharging the first electrical energy storage element from the first electrical signal.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the mobile charging device comprises a first housing having a first face, the first electro-acoustic transducer being exposed on the first face, and the charging station comprises a second housing comprising a second face and an opening extending from the second face, the second electro-acoustic transducer being exposed at the bottom of the opening, the method comprising pushing the mobile charging device into the opening to place the first electro-acoustic transducer opposite the second electro-acoustic transducer.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises recharging a stand-alone device comprising a third electro-acoustic transducer connected to a second electrical energy storage element, the method comprising emitting second ultrasonic waves by the first electroacoustic transducer, converting the second ultrasonic waves by the third electroacoustic transducer into a second electrical signal and recharging the second electrical energy storage element from the second electrical signal.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting first data from the charging station to the mobile charging device comprising emitting third ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer, converting the second ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer into a third electrical signal and determining the first data from the third electrical signal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting second data from the mobile charging device to the charging station comprising emitting fourth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer, converting the fourth ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer into a fourth electrical signal and determining the second data from the fourth electrical signal.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting third data from the autonomous device to the mobile charging device comprising emitting fifth ultrasonic waves by the third electro-acoustic transducer, converting the fifth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer into a fifth electrical signal and determining the third data from the fifth electrical signal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting fourth data from the mobile charging device to the autonomous device comprising the emission of sixth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer, the conversion of the sixth ultrasonic waves by the third electro-acoustic transducer into a sixth electrical signal and the determination of the fourth data from the sixth electrical signal. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0019] [Fig.l] represents, in a partial and schematic manner, an embodiment of a system for recharging an implantable medical device comprising a mobile recharging device and a recharging station;

[0020] [Fig.2] represents an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the implantable medical device of the system of [Fig.l];

[0021] [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] are respectively a perspective view and a top view, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of the mobile charging device of the system of [Fig.l];

[0022] [Fig.5] represents an electrical diagram of the mobile charging device of Figures 3 and 4;

[0023] [Fig.6] is a perspective, partial and schematic view of an embodiment of the charging station of the system of [Fig.l];

[0024] [Fig.7] represents an electrical diagram of the charging station of the system of the [Fig.6] ;

[0025] [Fig.8] and [Fig.9] are respectively a perspective view and a side sectional view, partial and schematic, of the mobile charging device and the charging station of the system of [Fig.l] before a charging operation of the mobile charging device; and

[0026] [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11] are respectively a perspective view and a side sectional view, partial and schematic, of the mobile charging device and the charging station of the system of [Fig.l] during a charging operation of the mobile charging device. Description of the embodiments

[0027] The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0028] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the described embodiments have been shown and are detailed.

[0029] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made unless otherwise specified to the orientation of the figures.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean to within 10% or 10°, preferably to within 5% or 5°.

[0031] An embodiment of a system for remotely recharging an energy storage element of an autonomous device will now be described in an application in which the autonomous device is a medical device implantable in the body of a human or an animal, also called an implant hereinafter. However, the recharging system can be used for recharging the energy storage element of any type of stand-alone device, for example a sensor not directly accessible.

[0032] [Fig. 1] shows, in a partial and schematic manner, an embodiment of a system 10 for recharging an implant 20. The implant 20 is located in the body of a person 11 at a location which depends on the functions performed by the implant 20. The recharging system 10 comprises a mobile recharging device 30 and a fixed recharging station 40. The recharging station 40 comprises an electrical outlet 47 intended to be connected to an electrical power source, not shown, for example the electrical network, and a connection terminal 48 intended to be connected to a data exchange network, not shown, for example the Internet network. In operation, the recharging station 40 is not intended to be moved and is for example placed on a piece of furniture 12.

[0033] The mobile charging device 30 is used to remotely electrically power the implant 20. During an operation of recharging the implant 20 by the mobile charging device 30, the mobile charging device 30 can be held in position on the person 11 by a strap 13 or any other holding means, for example an adhesive film that can stick to the skin of the person 11. It is thus not necessary for the person 11 to remain immobile during an operation of recharging the implant 20 by the mobile charging device 30. The charging station 40 is used to remotely electrically power the mobile charging device 30. During an operation of recharging the mobile charging device 30 by the charging station 40, the mobile charging device 30 can be placed on the charging station 40 without an electrical connection being established between the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40.This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the mobile charging device 30 can be completely waterproof without the need for an opening to receive a power supply plug and / or without the need to be provided with a power supply wire. In addition, this implementation excludes any risk of electric shock from the electrical network when the mobile charging device 30 is in contact with the skin of the person 11.

[0034] [Fig. 2] represents an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the implant 20 of the system 10 of [Fig. 1]. The implant 20 comprises: - an electrical energy storage element 21, for example an electric accumulator battery or a supercapacitor; - an electro-acoustic transducer 22 configured for the emission and reception of ultrasonic waves; - an interface circuit 23 connecting the electro-acoustic transducer 22 to the electrical energy storage element 21; - a sensor and / or an actuator 24 powered by the electrical energy storage element 21; and possibly - a control circuit 25 connected to the electro-acoustic transducer 22 via the interface circuit 23, connected to the sensor / actuator 24 and powered by the electrical energy storage element 21.

[0035] The control circuit 25 and / or the interface circuit 23 may correspond to an application-specific integrated circuit (or ASIC), the control circuit 25 and the interface circuit 23 being able to correspond to the same application-specific integrated circuit.

[0036] The electroacoustic transducer 22 may comprise a single ultrasonic wave generation / reception element, two ultrasonic acoustic wave generation / reception elements, or more than two ultrasonic acoustic wave generation / reception elements. According to one embodiment, the electroacoustic transducer 22 comprises a single ultrasonic acoustic wave generation / reception element also designated by the reference 22 hereinafter.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the interface circuit 23 fulfills: - an energy conversion function from the electro-acoustic transducer 22 to the electrical energy storage element 21; - a function for receiving data from the electro-acoustic transducer 22 to the control circuit 25; and - a function of transmitting a data signal supplied by the control circuit 25 to the electro-acoustic transducer 22.

[0038] Generally, the interface circuit 23 performs an impedance adaptation and an adaptation of the signal voltage levels of the signals exchanged with the electro-acoustic transducer 22.

[0039] Switches, not shown, controlled by the control circuit 25 ensure the electrical connection or the interruption of the electrical connection between two elements among the interface circuit 23, the control circuit 25, the electrical energy storage element 21, and the sensor / actuator 24 depending on the operating mode of the implant 20.

[0040] [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] are respectively a perspective view and a top view, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of the mobile charging device 30 of the system 10 of [Fig.l].

[0041] The mobile charging device 30 comprises a housing 31, for example cylindrical, in particular cylindrical with a circular base, having two opposite end faces 32 and 33. According to one embodiment, the faces 32 and 33 are substantially planar and have the shape of discs. As a variant, the housing 31 may have a prismatic shape, for example with a square or rectangular base. According to one embodiment, the height of the housing 31, that is to say the distance between the faces 32 and 33, is between 10 mm and 40 mm. According to one embodiment, the maximum lateral dimension of the housing 31, measured parallel to the faces 32 and 33, is between 20 mm and 50 mm. The mobile charging device 30 comprises an electro-acoustic transducer 34, on the side of the face 32, configured to emit and receive ultrasonic waves. The mobile charging device 30 further comprises a locking element 35. According to one embodiment, the locking element 35 makes it possible to mechanically position and lock the mobile charging device 30 with the charging station 40. According to one embodiment, the locking element 35 comprises one or more mechanical alignment stops, not shown, opposite the charging station 40 and / or one or more locking stops, not shown. The locking element 35 is for example a ring 35 surrounding the housing 31 and flush with the face 32.

[0042] [Fig. 5] represents an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the mobile charging device 30 of the system 10 of [Fig. 1]. The mobile charging device 30 comprises: - a battery of electric accumulators 36; - the electro-acoustic transducer 34; - an interface circuit 37 connecting the electro-acoustic transducer 34 to the battery 36; and - a control circuit 38 connected to the electro-acoustic transducer 34 via the interface circuit 37 and powered by the battery 36.

[0043] The control circuit 38 and / or the interface circuit 37 may correspond to an application-specific integrated circuit (or ASIC), the control circuit 38 and the interface circuit 37 being able to correspond to the same application-specific integrated circuit.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the electro-acoustic transducer 34 comprises at least three elements 39 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves, and preferably more than three elements 39 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves. For example, in [Fig. 3], the electro-acoustic transducer 34 is shown with five elements 39 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves and, in [Fig. 4], the electro-acoustic transducer 34 is shown with forty-one elements 39 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves. For example, in Figures 3 and 4, one of the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 39 has the shape of a disc and the other ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 39 each have the shape of an annular sector and are distributed according to a ring in [Fig. 3] and several rings in [Fig.4] concentric surrounding the central ultrasonic wave generating / receiving element 39. However, the arrangement of the ultrasonic wave generating / receiving elements 39 may be different from that illustrated, the wave generating / receiving elements 39. ultrasonic acoustics which can for example be distributed into rows and columns. According to one embodiment, each ultrasonic wave generation / reception element 39 can be controlled independently by the control circuit 38.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the interface circuit 37 fulfills: - an energy conversion function from the electro-acoustic transducer 34 to the electric accumulator battery 36; - a function for receiving data from the electro-acoustic transducer 34 to the control circuit 38; - a function of transmitting a signal for the electro-acoustic transducer 34 for the purpose of transmitting energy for the implant 20; and - a function of transmitting a data signal supplied by the control circuit 38 to the electro-acoustic transducer 34.

[0046] Generally, the interface circuit 37 performs an impedance adaptation and an adaptation of the signal voltage levels of the signals exchanged with the electro-acoustic transducer 34.

[0047] [Fig. 6] is a partial, schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the charging station 40 of the system 10 of [Fig. 1].

[0048] The charging station 40 comprises a housing 41 having an upper face 42. The charging station 40 comprises a non-through opening 43 which opens onto the upper face 42. According to one embodiment, the opening 43 is configured to allow a portion of the housing 31 of the mobile charging device 30 to be pushed into it. According to one embodiment, the opening 43 has a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the mobile charging device 30 on the side of the face 32. This advantageously makes it possible to obtain precise positioning of the mobile charging device 30 relative to the charging station 40 when the housing 31 of the mobile charging device 30 is pushed into the opening 43.According to one embodiment, when the mobile charging device 30 has a cylindrical shape, the opening 43 has a cylindrical shape with a circular base whose diameter is slightly greater, for example to within 1 mm, preferably to within 0.1 mm, than the diameter of the housing 31 of the mobile charging device 30. As a variant, in the case where the mobile charging device 30 has a conical shape on the side of the face 32, the opening 43 may also have a conical shape. The charging station 40 comprises an electro-acoustic transducer 44 configured to emit or receive ultrasonic waves, which may be partly exposed on the bottom of the opening 43. According to one embodiment, the opening 43 comprises two zones of different diameters delimiting a stop 45 between them, the zone of smaller diameter being on the side of the bottom of the opening 43. The stop 45 delimits a bearing surface, preferably flat.According to another embodiment, the stop 45 is not present.

[0049] [Fig. 7] represents an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the charging station 40 of the system 10 of [Fig. 1]. The charging station 40 comprises: - the electro-acoustic transducer 44; - a control circuit 46 of the electro-acoustic transducer 44; - the electrical outlet 47 connected to the control circuit 46 used for the electrical supply of the control circuit 46; and - the connection terminal 48 connected to the control circuit 46 and intended to be connected to a data exchange network.

[0050] The control circuit 46 may correspond to an application-specific integrated circuit (or ASIC).

[0051] According to one embodiment, the electro-acoustic transducer 44 comprises at least two elements 49 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves, and preferably more than two elements 49 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves. For example, in [Fig.6], the electro-acoustic transducer 44 is shown with five elements 49 for generating / receiving ultrasonic acoustic waves. According to one embodiment, each ultrasonic wave generation / reception element 49 can be controlled independently by the control circuit 46. For example, in [Fig. 6], one of the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 49 has the shape of a disc and the other ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 49 each have the shape of an annular sector and are distributed in a concentric ring surrounding the central ultrasonic wave generation / reception element 49.However, the arrangement of the ultrasonic wave generating / receiving elements 39 may be different from that illustrated.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the number and dimensions of the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 39 of the electroacoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 are identical to the number and dimensions of the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 49 of the electroacoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40. Furthermore, the arrangement of the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 39 of the electroacoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 is symmetrical with respect to the ultrasonic wave generation / reception elements 49 of the electroacoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40.This means that when the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 is arranged opposite the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40, each ultrasonic wave generating / receiving element 39 of the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 is located opposite an ultrasonic wave generating / receiving element 49 of the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40.

[0053] Each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is adapted to convert a signal electric (current, voltage, electric charges) into ultrasonic waves. Each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is for example made up of a plate of monocrystalline or polycrystalline piezoelectric material, for example PZT (Lead-Zirconia Titanate) whose thickness varies when a voltage is applied between two faces of the plate. Each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is for example a micro-electromechanical system (or MEMS), which uses microelectronics manufacturing technologies. This micro-electromechanical system is for example made up of a deformable membrane suspended above a cavity. The deformable membrane is for example moved by capacitive effect using an electrode fixed to the membrane and an electrode separated by the cavity. This type of transducer is known by the acronym CMUT for Capacitive Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer.The deformable membrane is for example moved by piezoelectric effect using a layer of piezoelectric material provided with two electrodes attached to the membrane. This type of transducer is known by the acronym PMUT, from the English Piezoelectric Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer. Each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is for example a magnetostriction transducer made of a material which slightly changes size when exposed to a magnetic field. Depending on the type of the electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49, the control signal transmitted by the control circuit 25, 38 or 46 to the electro-acoustic element 22, 39, or 49 can correspond to a voltage, a current, or an electrical charge. Conversely, each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is adapted to convert an ultrasonic wave into an electrical signal (current, voltage, electrical charges).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the frequency of the ultrasonic waves emitted by each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is between 20 kHz and 100 MHz.

[0055] According to one embodiment, each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is controlled by the associated control circuit 25, 38 or 46 to emit one or more bursts of ultrasonic waves. The duration of each burst of ultrasonic waves 50 may be between 1 ns and 100 ms. In each burst of ultrasonic waves, the wavelength of the ultrasonic waves may be substantially constant or may be variable.

[0056] According to one embodiment, each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is adapted to provide ultrasonic waves in different frequency bands. According to one embodiment, the frequencies of the ultrasonic waves in a first burst of ultrasonic waves may be in a first frequency band and the frequencies of the ultrasonic waves in a second burst of ultrasonic waves may be in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. According to one embodiment, each electro-acoustic element 22, 39, 49 is adapted to provide simultaneously in the same burst ultrasonic waves in a first frequency band and in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0057] According to one embodiment, a burst of ultrasonic waves can be composed of multiple frequencies which evolve continuously or discontinuously, regularly or irregularly during the time of an excitation burst. According to one embodiment, a burst of ultrasonic waves corresponding to a pseudoperiodic signal modulated in frequency around a carrier frequency or modulated in phase or modulated in amplitude by an envelope whose variations are slow compared to the oscillations of the phase.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the control signal of each electroacoustic element 22, 39, 49 corresponds to a periodic waveform, for example a sinusoidal signal, an oscillating signal of increasing or decreasing frequency, a signal with multiple frequencies, etc.

[0059] The operation of the system 10 is as follows. The mobile charging device 30 is used to recharge the energy storage element 21 of the implant 20. A recharging operation of the implant 20 includes controlling the electroacoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 by the control circuit 38 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electroacoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30, receiving the ultrasonic waves by the electroacoustic transducer 22 of the implant 20 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal and charging the energy storage element 21 from the electrical signal via the interface circuit 23.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the mobile charging device 30 is further used to acquire data emitted by the implant 20 or transmit data to the implant 20. The data exchanged depends in particular on the function performed by the implant 20. When the implant comprises a sensor 24, the data may correspond to measurements made by the sensor 24. When the implant comprises an actuator 24, the data may correspond to control parameters of the actuator 24 to be used by the control circuit 25 of the implant 20 for controlling the actuator 24.

[0061] A data transmission operation from the mobile charging device 30 to the implant 20 includes controlling the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 by the control circuit 38 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30, receiving the ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 22 of the implant 20 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal and processing the electrical signal by the control circuit 25 of the implant 20 to extract the received data. A data transmission operation from the implant 20 to the mobile charging device 30 comprises controlling the electro-acoustic transducer 22 of the implant 20 by the control circuit 25 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 22 of the implant 20, receiving the ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal and processing the electrical signal by the control circuit 38 of the mobile charging device 30 to extract the received data.

[0062] For an operation of recharging the implant 20 by the mobile recharging device 30 or for an operation of exchanging data between the implant 20 and the mobile recharging device 30, the mobile recharging device 30 can be held on the body 11 of the person by the strap 13.

[0063] The charging station 40 is used to recharge the battery 36 of the mobile charging device 30. A recharging operation of the mobile charging device 30 includes controlling the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40 by the control circuit 46 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40, receiving the ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal and charging the battery 36 from the electrical signal.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a data exchange can be carried out between the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40. A data transmission operation from the mobile charging device 30 to the charging station 40 comprises the control of the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 by the control circuit 38 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30, the reception of the ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into an electrical signal and the processing of the electrical signal by the control circuit 46 of the charging station 40 to extract the received data. The received data can then be transmitted by the control circuit 46 over a data exchange network via the connection terminal 48.A data transmission operation from the charging station 40 to the mobile charging device 30 comprises the acquisition of data by the control circuit 46, for example from the data exchange network by the connection terminal 48, the control of the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40 by the control circuit 46 for the emission of ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40, the reception of the ultrasonic waves by the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 which converts the received ultrasonic waves into a signal. electrical and processing of the electrical signal by the control circuit 38 of the mobile charging device 30 to extract the received data.

[0065] As a result, data can be transmitted from the charging station 40 to the implant 20 via the mobile charging device 30 and data can be transmitted from the implant 20 to the charging station 40 via the mobile charging device 30.

[0066] For a recharging operation of the mobile recharging device 30 by the recharging station 40 or for a data exchange operation between the recharging station 40 and the mobile recharging device 30, the mobile recharging device 30 can be maintained on the recharging station 40.

[0067] According to one embodiment, a recharging operation of the mobile recharging device 30 by the recharging station 40 can be carried out simultaneously with a data exchange operation between the mobile recharging device 30 and the recharging station 40. According to one embodiment, the frequency range of the ultrasonic waves used for recharging the mobile recharging device 30 can be different from the frequency range of the ultrasonic waves used for exchanging data between the mobile recharging device 30 and the recharging station 40. According to one embodiment, the electro-acoustic element(s) 39, 49 used for recharging the mobile recharging device 30 can be different from the electro-acoustic element(s) 39, 49 used for exchanging data between the mobile recharging device 30 and the recharging station 40.

[0068] An advantage of performing the recharging of the battery 21 of the implant 20 or the battery 36 of the mobile recharging device 30 by transmitting energy by ultrasonic waves is that the emission of electromagnetic waves by the mobile recharging device 30 or the recharging station 40, during a recharging operation, is reduced. Another advantage of performing the recharging of the battery 21 of the implant 20 by transmitting energy by ultrasonic waves is that the area of ​​the body 11 of the person has less attenuation of the ultrasonic waves compared to the electromagnetic waves. It is therefore possible to recharge an implant 20 even if it is positioned deep in the body 11.An advantage of carrying out a data exchange between the implant 20 and the mobile charging device 30 or between the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40 using ultrasonic waves is that the risks of unwanted capture of the ultrasonic waves by a malicious person for the determination of the exchanged data are reduced, or even harmed.

[0069] [Fig.8] and [Fig.9] are respectively a perspective view and a side sectional view, partial and schematic, of the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40 before a recharging operation of the mobile charging device 30 by the charging station 40 and / or a data exchange operation between the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40. The mobile charging device 30 is placed directly above the opening 43 of the charging station 40. The mobile charging device 30 is oriented relative to the charging station 40 so that the face 32 of the mobile charging device 30 on which the electro-acoustic transducer 34, visible in [Fig. 9], is exposed, is oriented towards the charging station 40.

[0070] [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11] are respectively a perspective view and a side sectional view, partial and schematic, of the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40 during a recharging operation of the mobile charging device 30 by the charging station 40 and / or a data exchange operation between the mobile charging device 30 and the charging station 40. The mobile charging device 30 enters the opening 43 of the charging station 40 until a surface of the ring 35 of the mobile charging device 30 comes to bear against the stop 45 of the charging station 40. The mobile charging device 30 then has a determined relative position with respect to the charging station 40. Preferably, the face 32 is then substantially parallel to the bottom of the opening 43.

[0071] According to one embodiment, an interface layer 60, also called an interface film, made of flexible material and allowing good propagation of the ultrasonic waves is provided between the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 and the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40 in contact with the electro-acoustic elements 39 of the electro-acoustic transducer 34 and the electro-acoustic elements 49 of the electro-acoustic transducer 44.This is for example a gel or a liquid which is placed on the bottom of the opening 43 before the introduction of the mobile charging device 30 into the opening 43 so as to form a film 60 of gel or of continuous liquid between the electro-acoustic transducer 34 of the mobile charging device 30 and the electro-acoustic transducer 44 of the charging station 40, in contact with the electro-acoustic elements 39 of the electro-acoustic transducer 34 and the electro-acoustic elements 49 of the electro-acoustic transducer 44. The film 60 makes it possible to obtain an impedance matching between the face 32 and the bottom of the opening 43. It allows the propagation of the ultrasonic waves between the electro-acoustic transducer 34 and the electro-acoustic transducer 44 by reducing the attenuation of the ultrasonic waves, in particular by preventing the formation of a solid / air interface or liquid / air which can be unfavorable to the propagation of ultrasonic waves.According to one embodiment, when the mobile charging device 30 is pressed against the stop 45, the thickness of the film 60 is between 50 μm and a few millimeters.

[0072] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variants could be combined, and other variants will appear to those skilled in the art. In particular, even if, in the embodiments described above, the charging station 40 comprises a connection terminal 48 intended to be connected to a data exchange network, it is clear that the charging station 40 can be connected to the data exchange network by a wireless link, the connection terminal 48 then not being present.

[0073] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art from the functional indications given above.

Claims

Claims

1. A charging system (10) comprising a mobile charging device (30) and a charging station (40), the mobile charging device (30) comprising a first electro-acoustic transducer (34) connected to a first electrical energy storage element (36), the charging station (40) comprising a second electro-acoustic transducer (44) and an electrical outlet (47) for supplying power to the charging station (40), the second electro-acoustic transducer (44) being configured to emit first ultrasonic waves and the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) being configured to convert the first ultrasonic waves into a first electrical signal for recharging the first electrical energy storage element (36).

2. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the mobile charging device (30) comprises a first housing (31) having a first face (32), the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) being exposed on the first face (32), and wherein the charging station (40) comprises a second housing (41) comprising a second face (42) and an opening (43) extending from the second face (42), the second electro-acoustic transducer (44) being exposed at the bottom of the opening (43).

3. A recharging system according to claim 2, wherein the depression (43) comprises a stop (45) and the movable recharging device (30) comprises a surface (35) configured to bear against said stop (45).

4. A charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stand-alone device (20) comprising a third electro-acoustic transducer (22) connected to a second electrical energy storage element (21), the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) being configured to emit second ultrasonic waves and the third electro-acoustic transducer (22) being configured to convert the second ultrasonic waves into a second electrical signal for recharging the second electrical energy storage element (21).

5. A charging system according to claim 4, wherein the self-contained device (20) is an implantable medical device comprising a sensor and / or an actuator (24).

6. Charging system according to claim 4, wherein the autonomous device (20) comprises a sensor and / or an actuator (24) intended to be placed in isolation in a medium in which the second ultrasonic waves can propagate and powered by the second electrical energy storage element (21).

7. A method of recharging a mobile charging device (30) comprising a first electro-acoustic transducer (34) connected to a first electrical energy storage element (36) by means of a charging station (40) comprising a second electro-acoustic transducer (44) and an electrical outlet (47) for supplying electrical power to the charging station (40), the method comprising placing the mobile charging device (30) in contact with the charging station (40) so that the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) is opposite the second electro-acoustic transducer (44), emitting first ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer (44), converting the first ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) into a first electrical signal and recharging the first electrical energy storage element (36) from the first electrical signal.

8. A charging method according to claim 7, wherein the mobile charging device (30) comprises a first housing (31) having a first face (32), the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) being exposed on the first face (32), and wherein the charging station (40) comprises a second housing (41) comprising a second face (42) and an opening (43) extending from the second face (42), the second electro-acoustic transducer (44) being exposed at the bottom of the opening (43), the method comprising pushing the mobile charging device (30) into the opening (43) to bring the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) into contact with the second electro-acoustic transducer (44).

9. A recharging method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising recharging a self-contained device (20) comprising a third electro-acoustic transducer (22) connected to a second electrical energy storage element (21), the method comprising emitting second ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34), converting the second ultrasonic waves by the third electro-acoustic transducer (22) into a second electrical signal and recharging the second energy storage element. electrical (21) from the second electrical signal.

10. A recharging method according to claim 9, wherein the autonomous device (20) is an implantable medical device comprising a sensor and / or an actuator (24).

11. A recharging method according to claim 9, wherein the autonomous device (20) comprises a sensor and / or an actuator (24) intended to be placed in isolation in a medium in which the second ultrasonic waves can propagate and powered by the second electrical energy storage element (21).

12. A charging method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising transmitting first data from the charging station (40) to the mobile charging device (30) comprising emitting third ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer (44), converting the second ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) into a third electrical signal and determining the first data from the third electrical signal.

13. A charging method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, further comprising transmitting second data from the mobile charging device (30) to the charging station (40) comprising emitting fourth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34), converting the fourth ultrasonic waves by the second electro-acoustic transducer (44) into a fourth electrical signal and determining the second data from the fourth electrical signal.

14. A charging method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising transmitting third data from the stand-alone device (20) to the mobile charging device (30) comprising emitting fifth ultrasonic waves by the third electro-acoustic transducer (22), converting the fifth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34) into a fifth electrical signal and determining the third data from the fifth electrical signal.

15. A charging method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising transmitting fourth data from the mobile charging device (30) to the autonomous device (20) comprising emitting sixth ultrasonic waves by the first electro-acoustic transducer (34), converting the sixth ultrasonic waves by the third electro-acoustic transducer (22) into a sixth electrical signal and determining the fourth data from the sixth electrical signal.

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