Use of Wireless Power Transfer Coils for Inductive Telemetry

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission systems, and more particularly to the use of wireless power transmission systems for inductive telemetry communication. According to the present disclosure, an inductive telemetry control signal is provided to a wireless power transmission coil associated with a transcutaneous energy transmission system to generate a telemetry communication signal. The transcutaneous energy transmission system includes a wireless power transmission transmitting coil and a wireless power transmission receiving coil. The telemetry communication signal may be transmitted from the wireless power transmission receiving coil to the wireless power transmission transmitting coil, or may be transmitted from the wireless power transmission transmitting coil to the wireless power transmission receiving coil for bidirectional communication.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 301,638, filed January 21, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transfer systems, and more particularly to the use of wireless power transfer systems for inductive telemetry communications. [Background technology]

[0003] A transcutaneous energy transmission system typically uses two inductive coils to implement the wireless power transmission process. For example, a transmitting coil is located at a first location and a receiving coil is located at a second location. In medical device applications, the transmitting coil is typically located outside the patient's body and the receiving coil is implanted within the patient's body together with at least a portion of the medical device. The implanted portion of the medical device is powered by the transcutaneous energy transmission system. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to the present disclosure, a method is provided for enabling wireless communication between different components of a transcutaneous energy transmission system using a wireless power transmission coil. The method includes providing a telemetry control signal (e.g., a step voltage) to a transmitter circuit of a controller associated with the transcutaneous energy transmission system to generate a telemetry communication signal. In one embodiment, the transcutaneous energy transmission system includes a wireless power transmission transmit coil and a wireless power transmission receive coil. The method also includes transmitting the telemetry communication signal from the wireless power transmission receive coil to the wireless power transmission transmit coil.

[0005] The present disclosure also provides a transcutaneous energy transmission system for an implantable device. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of the present disclosure includes a wireless power transmission transmitting coil, a wireless power transmission receiving coil, and a controller. The controller is associated with the wireless power transmission receiving coil. In one embodiment, the controller includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. As described in more detail below, the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit of the controller enable bidirectional communication via the wireless power transmission transmitting coil and the wireless power transmission receiving coil. A telemetry communication signal is generated in response to receiving a telemetry control signal (e.g., a step voltage). The telemetry communication signal is transmitted from the wireless power transmission receiving coil to the wireless power transmission transmitting coil via the transmitting circuit of the controller.

[0006] Also provided in accordance with the present disclosure is a method of using a wireless power transmission coil of a transcutaneous energy transmission system to enable wireless communication between different components of the system. The method includes detecting an operational state of a communication system associated with an implantable device. In one embodiment, the implantable device includes a transcutaneous energy transmission system. The transcutaneous energy transmission system includes a wireless power transmission transmitting coil and a wireless power transmission receiving coil. The method also includes providing a telemetry control signal to a transmitting circuit of a controller to generate a telemetry communication signal in response to detecting the operational state of the communication system. The method also includes transmitting the telemetry communication signal from the wireless power transmission receiving coil to the wireless power transmission transmitting coil. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified electrical diagram of a wireless power transfer system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of supplying power to an implantable device using the wireless power transmission system shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a resonator that can be used to implement the wireless power transfer system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary wireless power transfer system used to implement two-way inductive telemetry communication, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an electrical diagram of a wireless power transmission receive coil and associated controller 530, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example waveform (telemetry communication signal) generated as a result of a telemetry control signal being provided to a wireless power transmission transmit coil or a wireless power transmission receive coil, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for generating an inductive telemetry communication signal, according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a method for receiving and decoding an inductive telemetry communication signal, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission systems, and more particularly to the use of wireless power systems for inductive telemetry communication. For example, the present disclosure provides a method for transmitting bidirectional inductive telemetry communication using a wireless power transmission coil of a transcutaneous energy transmission system. The bidirectional inductive telemetry communication can be used, for example, as a primary form of communication between an implantable device and a monitoring system. In another embodiment, the bidirectional inductive telemetry communication can be used as a backup or failover communication method in case another communication system (e.g., a Bluetooth® low energy communication system) fails.

[0009] The implantable medical device is powered or otherwise powered by a wireless power transmission system. The wireless power transmission system uses an inductive coil to enable wireless power transmission. In a transcutaneous energy transmission system where power is transmitted over a distance, a highly resonant structure is used. The resonant structure includes an inductive coil matched with a capacitive element to operate in a resonant state. This resonant state allows for highly efficient wireless power transmission when each coil in the system shares the same resonant frequency.

[0010] While a highly resonant design is desirable for energy transmission in a transcutaneous energy transmission system, the same coil structure is not typically used for telemetry or communication schemes. For example, in medical device applications (e.g., where at least a portion of the medical device is implanted in a patient), communication between the various components of the medical device is performed using a Bluetooth® low energy communication channel or other form of wireless communication. Communication between the various components of the medical device may include information regarding the status of the implanted medical device, including but not limited to alarms regarding the status of a pump or other components of the implanted medical device, the battery status of the implanted medical device, or other important parameters associated with the implanted medical device.

[0011] However, a single communication path can cause problems: for example, if one communication path goes down or fails, there is no way to notify the user (e.g., the patient) of the operational status of the implantable medical device.

[0012] Thus, the present disclosure provides a method for generating and / or transmitting inductive telemetry communication signals between an implantable medical device and a monitoring system or other medical device using a resonant structure used for wireless power transfer. Having such an additional communication channel helps to increase the safety and reliability of the system. Although medical devices are specifically mentioned, the examples described herein can be used with a variety of other devices. Additionally, the embodiments described herein can be used as a primary communication channel (e.g., instead of Bluetooth, infrared, or other communication channels) or as a backup communication channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transcutaneous energy transmission system includes an external transmitting resonator and an implanted receiving resonator. One or more resonators are implanted in the patient's body. In this embodiment, the inductive telemetry communication signal is generated and transmitted using the same resonant coil structure as the wireless power transmission process of the transcutaneous energy transmission system. For example, the telemetry communication signal may be transmitted from the external transmitting resonator to the implanted receiving resonator as well as from the implanted receiving resonator to the external transmitting resonator for bidirectional communication. The telemetry communication signal may be generated and / or transmitted during the wireless power transmission process or in place of the wireless power transmission process.

[0014] For example, when the transcutaneous energy transmission system is not performing a wireless power transmission process, the resonant coil structures can be driven (e.g., by a step voltage) to generate inductive telemetry communication signals. The generated inductive telemetry communication signals are transmitted between the resonant coil structures. As described below, each of the resonant coil structures can be configured to generate, transmit, and / or receive inductive telemetry communication signals. Thus, communication may be bidirectional. In addition, because the same resonant coil structure is used for the wireless power transmission process and bidirectional communication, there is no need for additional telemetry coils and / or matching circuit specifications for a particular communication channel.

[0015] The transcutaneous energy transmission system may alternate between performing a wireless power transmission process and performing a communication process based on a variety of factors. For example, the operational state of the implantable medical device may determine when the coil transmits power and when to send / receive inductive telemetry communication signals. In another embodiment, the operational state of the implantable medical device indicates that a primary communication channel associated with the implantable medical device has failed. In yet another embodiment, the operational state of the implantable medical device may be an indication of whether the implantable medical device is currently powered or whether the implantable medical device requires power. Although specific examples have been provided, other operational states are contemplated.

[0016] Depending on the operating state of the implantable medical device, the controller or other computing device can either perform a wireless power transmission process to the transcutaneous energy transmission system or generate and transmit an inductive telemetry communication signal. For example, if the implantable medical device has sufficient power or is not currently receiving power via a wireless power transmission process, the controller can perform the generation and transmission of an inductive telemetry communication signal. In the latter case, the telemetry communication signal may be transmitted at the same frequency as that used for wireless power transmission.

[0017] The generation and transmission of the inductive telemetry communication signal may occur in response to determining that a primary communication channel associated with the implantable medical device is not operational. In another embodiment, the generation and transmission of the inductive telemetry communication signal may be a primary communication channel between the implantable medical device and a monitoring device. In yet another embodiment, the inductive telemetry communication signal may be generated and transmitted during a wireless power transfer process, where the wireless power transfer process occurs at a first frequency and the inductive telemetry communication occurs at a second frequency. The second frequency may be a harmonic frequency of the first frequency (or a frequency different from the first frequency).

[0018] As described below, existing transmit and receive component structures (e.g., wireless power transfer receive coils and / or wireless power transfer transmit coils) are used to generate and / or transmit telemetry communication signals. In one embodiment, the telemetry scheme may utilize pulse position modulation. The amplitude and length of the individual ping or ringing responses will be highly detectable.

[0019] These and other examples are described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0020] 1 is a simplified electrical diagram of a wireless power transfer system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Various components of the wireless power transfer system 100 are used to transfer power and also to generate and / or transmit inductive telemetry communication signals.

[0021] The wireless power transmission system 100 includes an external transmitting resonator 102 and an implantable receiving resonator 104. In the wireless power transmission system 100 shown in Fig. 1, a power source Vs 108 is electrically connected to the transmitting resonator 102, and power is supplied from the power source Vs 108 to the transmitting resonator 102. The receiving resonator 104 is connected to a load 106 (e.g., an implantable medical device). The receiving resonator 104 and the load 106 may be electrically connected to a switching or rectifying device (not shown).

[0022] In one embodiment, the transmit resonator 102 includes a coil 110 (an inductive element) connected to a power source Vs 108 by a capacitor 114 (a capacitive element), and the receive resonator 104 includes a coil 112 (an inductive element) connected to a load 106 by a capacitor 116 (a capacitive element). The coils 110 and 112 are connected with a coupling coefficient.

[0023] In operation, the transmit resonator 102 wirelessly transmits power provided by a power source Vs 108 to the receive resonator 104. The receive resonator 104 receives the wirelessly transmitted power from the transmit resonator 102 and provides the received power to a load 106.

[0024] 2 illustrates an example of using an external coil 202 (e.g., the transmit resonator 102 shown in FIG. 1) to wirelessly transmit power to an implantable coil 204 (e.g., the receive resonator 104 shown in FIG. 1) implanted within a patient 200. The implantable coil 204 receives power from the external coil 202 and provides it to an implantable device 206, which may include, for example, a pacemaker or a heart pump. In some embodiments, the implantable coil 204 and / or the implantable device 206 may include or be connected to a battery.

[0025] In one embodiment, the external coil 202 is communicatively coupled to the computing device 210, for example via a wired or wireless connection, such that signals can be sent to and received from the computing device 210. The computing device 210 can be any suitable computing device, such as, for example, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable electronic device, a gaming system, etc.

[0026] In some embodiments, the computing device 210 also serves as a power source for the external coil 202. In other embodiments, the external coil 202 is connected to a separate power source (not shown). The computing device 210 comprises a memory device 214 and a processor 212 communicatively connected to the memory device 214. In some embodiments, computer executable instructions are stored on the memory device 214.

[0027] The computing device 210 and associated processor 212 may be used to determine or detect the operational status of the implantable device 206 and / or its associated communication system. For example, if the implantable device 206 communicates with the computing device 210 via a wireless communication channel (e.g., Bluetooth), the computing device 210 may monitor the status of the wireless communication channel. Additionally, the computing device 210 may monitor or determine whether power is currently being transferred between the transmit coil 202 and the implantable coil 204 or if power will be transferred in the future. The computing device 210 may also determine the frequency of the wireless power transfer or identify one or more harmonics of the frequency. As described in more detail below, inductive telemetry communication signals may be transferred between the transmit coil 202 and the implantable coil 204 at the same frequency as the frequency of the wireless power transfer or at a harmonic of that frequency. In the latter case, the telemetry communication signals may be transmitted simultaneously as power is being transferred between the transmit coil 202 and the implantable coil 204.

[0028] The computing device 210 further comprises a user interface (UI) 216. The user interface (UI) 216 presents information to a user (e.g., the patient 200). The user interface (UI) 216 may include a display adapter (not shown) that connects to a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, an electronic ink display, or the like. In some embodiments, the user interface (UI) 216 includes one or more display devices. Additionally, in some embodiments, the user interface (UI) 216 is or includes a presentation interface.

[0029] The presentation interface generates visual, audible, and / or computer-generated sound content. In one embodiment, the user interface (UI) 216 displays one or more representations or images created to assist the patient 200 in positioning the external coil 202 for optimal transmission between the external coil 202 and the implantable coil 204. In another embodiment, the user interface (UI) 216 displays status information and / or operational status of the implantable device 206. In yet another embodiment, the user interface (UI) 216 displays received waveforms (e.g., waveform 600 (see FIG. 6 )) transmitted and received as part of an inductive telemetry communication signal. In some embodiments, the user interface (UI) 216 displays visual information (e.g., status information) represented by the waveforms after processing by the processor 212 of the computing device 210.

[0030] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a resonator 300 that can be used to implement the wireless power transfer system 100 shown in Figure 1. The resonator 300 can be used to implement, for example, the external transmit resonator 102 (Figure 1), the implantable receive resonator 104 (Figure 1), the external coil 202 (Figure 2), and / or the implantable coil 204 (Figure 2).

[0031] In one embodiment, the resonator 300 includes a core 302 and a coil element 304. The core 302 has a front surface 305, a back surface 306, and an annular sidewall 308 extending between the front surface 305 and the back surface 306. The front surface 305 has an annular groove 310 formed therein that defines a central post portion 312 in a central portion of the front surface 305.

[0032] The resonator 300 (including the core 302 and the coil element 304) functions as a wireless power resonator when connected to a capacitor (e.g., a capacitor on a printed circuit board electrically connected to the coil element 304). However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the resonator 300 constitutes a coil assembly without being connected to a capacitor. Thus, as used herein, the term "resonator" does not require being connected to a capacitor to constitute a wireless power resonator. Instead, as used herein, the term "resonator" is broad enough to encompass a coil assembly including a core and a coil element that is not connected to a capacitor, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0033] In one embodiment, the core 302 is made of a magnetic material. The magnetic material can be a ferrite material, such as nickel-based ferrite or manganese-based ferrite. Nickel-based ferrites generally have low electrical conductivity and low losses. Manganese-based ferrites, on the other hand, have high magnetic permeability (but with acceptable losses), which can facilitate containment of the magnetic field lines and reduce fringing fields that enter nearby conductors (e.g., titanium enclosures or copper of nearby PCBs) to prevent losses. In other embodiments, other types of ferrite materials may be used. For example, in some embodiments, magnesium-based ferrites (e.g., MgCuZn, which outperforms nickel-based and manganese-based ferrites in the frequency range of about 1 megahertz (MHz)) may be used.

[0034] The coil element 304 is disposed within the annular groove 310 and surrounds the central post portion 312. The resonator 300 can be, for example, a Litz wire type resonator or a laminated plate type resonator. In the case of a Litz wire type resonator, the coil element 304 includes a plurality of loops of Litz wire. In the case of a laminated plate type resonator, the coil element 304 includes a laminated plate formed by stacking a plurality of alternating dielectric and conductive layers. The dielectric layers can be made of, for example, ceramic, plastic, glass, and / or mica.

[0035] The coil element 304 is electrically connected, for example, to a power source (when functioning as a transmitting resonator) or a load 106 (when functioning as a receiving resonator). In operation, when power is supplied to the resonator 300 operating as a transmitting resonator, a current flows through the coil element 304, thereby forming an induced current loop. This induced current loop allows wireless power transfer from the first resonator to the second resonator, provided that the resonant frequency of the first resonator overlaps with the resonant frequency of the second resonator. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil element 304 has a number of terminals 314 that extend through the core 302 to the back surface 306. The terminals 314 of the coil element 304 facilitate electrically connecting the coil element 304 to a power source or a load.

[0036] In order for the coil elements 304 to transmit or generate inductive telemetry communication signals, the coil elements 304 provide telemetry control signals (e.g., step voltages, ramp voltages, piecewise linear edges) to the resonators. In one embodiment, the telemetry control signals can be any voltage ranging from about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts. Although specific voltage values ​​are mentioned, other voltage values ​​may be used. For example, the voltage may be less than 0.5 volts or greater than 5 volts. When the telemetry control signals are provided to the resonators, the resonant voltage and associated waveforms are transmitted between the transmit and receive resonators. In some embodiments, the telemetry control signals are provided to either the transmit and / or receive resonators, thereby enabling bidirectional communication between both resonators.

[0037] FIG 4 illustrates an exemplary system 400 comprising a wireless power transmission system supporting bidirectional inductive telemetry communication. As shown in FIG 4, the system 100 includes a wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and a wireless power transmission receive coil 430. The wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 may be similar to or associated with the external transmit resonator 102 (FIG 1) and / or the external coil 202 (FIG 2). Similarly, the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 may be similar to or associated with the implantable receive resonator 104 (FIG 1) and / or the implantable coil 204 (FIG 2).

[0038] The wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 is connected (communicatively or otherwise) to a computing device 410. The computing device 410 is similar to the computing device 210 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the receive coil 430 is connected (communicatively or otherwise) to a controller 440. In some embodiments, the controller 440 is associated with the implantable device. Thus, the controller 440 can be used to determine the operating state of the implantable device.

[0039] For example, the controller 440 can be configured to determine whether power is currently being transferred between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430. The controller 440 may also be configured to determine the power state of the implantable device (e.g., whether the implantable device needs power). Based on such determination, the controller 440 can send a power request to the transmit coil 420 and / or the computing device 410.

[0040] Controller 440 may also be used to determine the operational status of a communication system associated with the implanted device. For example, controller 440 may communicate with computing device 410 using a communication channel (e.g., a Bluetooth communication channel, an infrared communication channel). If a problem occurs with the communication channel, controller 440 may detect the problem.

[0041] In response to a problem detected on the communication channel, the controller 440 provides a telemetry control signal (e.g., a step voltage, a ramp voltage) to the receive coil 430. In one embodiment, the telemetry control signal is a voltage in the range of about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts, although other voltage values ​​may be used. Upon receiving the telemetry control signal, the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 generates and transmits an inductive telemetry communication signal (e.g., in the form of a waveform) to the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420. The inductive telemetry communication signal may include information regarding the operating state of the implantable device, the operating state of the communication channel, power requirements, etc.

[0042] As described above, the controller 440 can be configured to determine the operational state of the implantable medical device, the power state of the implantable medical device, and / or whether power is currently being transferred between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430. In some embodiments, the inductive telemetry communication signal is generated and / or transmitted only when no wireless power transmission is occurring between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430.

[0043] In another embodiment, the controller 440 may determine or detect a frequency associated with wireless power transmission between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 and then determine a harmonic of that frequency. In such an embodiment, the inductive telemetry communication signal is transmitted between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 at the determined harmonic frequency simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the wireless power transmission. For example, if the frequency for wireless power transmission is 3.3 megahertz, then the inductive telemetry communication signal is transmitted at a frequency of 6.6 megahertz.

[0044] Although in the above embodiments, the generation and transmission of the inductive telemetry communication signal is described as a fail-safe or backup communication path for an existing communication channel, in some embodiments, the generation and transmission of the inductive telemetry communication signal may be the primary source of communication between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430. In addition, although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described as generating and transmitting the inductive telemetry communication signal at the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 to the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420, the telemetry communication signal may be generated at the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420. In that case, the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 generates and transmits the inductive telemetry communication signal to the wireless power transmission receive coil 430. Thus, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, bidirectional communication between the wireless power transmission transmit coil 420 and the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 is possible.

[0045] 5 is an electrical diagram of a wireless power transmission receive coil 500 and associated controller 530, according to one embodiment. The wireless power transmission receive coil 500 and controller 530 are similar to the wireless power transmission receive coil 430 and controller 440 described above with reference to FIG.

[0046] 5, the wireless power transmission receiving coil 500 includes a synchronous rectifier 510 and a filter 520. The filter 520 is used to reject, correct, reshape unwanted frequencies, and / or accept / pass various signals. The synchronous rectifier 510 is used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

[0047] The controller 530 includes a transmitting circuit 550 and a receiving circuit 540. These circuits allow the controller 530 to switch the wireless power transmission receiving coil 500 between a wireless power transmission process and a receiving / generating / transmitting process of an inductive telemetry communication signal as described above. For example, when the controller 530 determines to provide a message or other information to a remote computing device, the controller 530 provides a telemetry control signal to the transmitting circuit 550. The telemetry control signal is converted into a telemetry communication signal, i.e., a waveform (e.g., waveform 600 (see FIG. 6)), and transmitted by the wireless power transmission receiving coil 500 to a remote wireless power transmission transmitting coil (e.g., wireless power transmission transmitting coil 420). When the wireless power transmission transmitting coil receives the waveform (telemetry communication signal), a computing device associated with the wireless power transmission transmitting coil can process the waveform to determine information associated with the waveform (e.g., status information of the implantable medical device, power requirements).

[0048] As described above, the step function allows the frequency of the waveform to be a harmonic of the resonant frequency associated with the wireless power transmission process. Thus, bidirectional communication between the wireless power transmission receiving coil 500 and the wireless power transmission transmitting coil can occur simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with wireless power transmission. In another embodiment, the bidirectional communication is performed when wireless power transmission is not occurring.

[0049] 7 illustrates a method 700 for generating an inductive telemetry communication signal, according to one embodiment. The method 700 may be used by the various components and systems described above.

[0050] The method 700 begins when an operational state of the implantable medical device is determined or detected 710. In one embodiment, the operational state of the implantable medical device is determined or detected by a controller or computing device communicatively connected to the implantable medical device.

[0051] Determining (detecting) the operating state of the implantable medical device may include, but is not limited to, determining the power state of the implantable medical device, determining the wireless power transmission state of a coil associated with the implantable medical device, and determining the status of a communication system or channel associated with the implantable medical device.

[0052] In response to determining the operating state, a controller associated with the implantable medical device generates and provides a telemetry control signal to a transmitter circuit associated with the controller (720). The transmitter circuit of the controller provides the telemetry control signal to a wireless power transmission receive coil associated with the controller. The wireless power transmission receive coil then generates and transmits a waveform (telemetry communication signal) associated with the telemetry control signal to the wireless power transmission transmit coil (730). Once the wireless power transmission transmit coil receives the waveform (telemetry communication signal), the waveform is processed by a computing device associated with the wireless power transmission transmit coil.

[0053] Although the method 700 is described in terms of generating and transmitting telemetry communication signals with a wireless power transmission receive coil, it may be implemented with a wireless power transmission transmit coil as well, and thus bidirectional communication may occur between the wireless power transmission transmit coil and the wireless power transmission receive coil.

[0054] 8 illustrates a method 800 for receiving and decoding inductive telemetry communication signals, according to one embodiment. The method 800 may be used by the various components and systems described above. In some embodiments, the method 800 is performed in response to the method 700 described with reference to FIG. 7 being performed.

[0055] The method 800 begins upon receiving a telemetry communication signal (810). In one embodiment, the telemetry communication signal is transmitted from and received by the wireless power transmission transmit coil. However, the reverse is also true; that is, the telemetry communication signal may be transmitted from and received by the wireless power transmission transmit coil.

[0056] Upon receiving the telemetry communication signal, a controller, computing device, or other processing circuitry associated with the coil that received the telemetry communication signal decodes (820) the telemetry communication signal using, for example, a decoder, comparator, etc.

[0057] Once the telemetry communication signal is decoded, the decoded telemetry communication signal is used to control 830 a computing device and / or a controller. For example, the decoded telemetry communication signal includes instructions for the computing device or controller. In another embodiment, the decoded telemetry communication signal includes information related to the implantable device. Upon receiving the telemetry communication signal, the computing device or controller analyzes the information contained in the telemetry communication signal and performs an action based at least in part on the information.

[0058] Although the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It should therefore be understood that various modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments and examples, and other configurations can be devised, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. It is therefore intended that this application cover modifications and variations of those embodiments, and their equivalents.

[0059] This specification uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems, and practicing any methods incorporating the same. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and includes alternative embodiments that may occur to those skilled in the art. Such alternative embodiments are within the scope of the claims if they include elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. providing a telemetry control signal to a transmitter circuit of a controller associated with a transcutaneous energy transmission system including a wireless power transmission transmit coil and a wireless power transmission receive coil to generate a telemetry communication signal; transmitting the telemetry communication signal from the wireless power transmission receive coil to the wireless power transmission transmit coil.

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method further comprising detecting an operational state of the transcutaneous energy transmission system.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, The method, further comprising providing the telemetry control signal to the transmission circuitry of the controller based at least in part on the operational state of the transcutaneous energy transmission system.

4. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method, wherein the telemetry control signal comprises a voltage in a range from about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts.

5. 2. The method of claim 1 , power is transmitted from the wireless power transmission transmitting coil to the wireless power transmission receiving coil at a certain frequency; The method, wherein the telemetry communication signal is transmitted from the wireless power transfer receive coil to the wireless power transfer transmit coil at a harmonic of the frequency of the power.

6. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method, wherein the controller is associated with an implantable device.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, A method, wherein the telemetry control signal is provided to the transmit circuitry of the controller based at least in part on a detected operating condition of the implantable device.

8. 7. The method of claim 6, A method, wherein the telemetry control signals are provided to the transmit circuitry of the controller based at least in part on detected operating conditions of a communication system associated with the implantable device.

9. 1. A transcutaneous energy transmission system for an implantable device, comprising: A wireless power transmission transmitting coil; A wireless power transmission receiving coil; a controller associated with the wireless power transmission receive coil, the controller including a transmit circuit and a receive circuit and configured to generate a telemetry communication signal in response to receiving a telemetry control signal; The telemetry communication signal is transmittable from the wireless power transmission receiving coil to the wireless power transmission transmitting coil via the transmitting circuit.

10. 10. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of claim 9, A transcutaneous energy transmission system, wherein the telemetry control signal comprises a voltage in a range from about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts.

11. 10. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of claim 9, A transcutaneous energy transmission system, wherein the controller detects an operational state of the transcutaneous energy transmission system.

12. 10. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of claim 9, power is transmitted from the wireless power transmission transmitting coil to the wireless power transmission receiving coil at a certain frequency; A transcutaneous energy transmission system, wherein the telemetry communication signals are transmitted from the wireless power transmission receive coil to the wireless power transmission transmit coil at harmonics of the frequency of the power.

13. 10. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of claim 9, The transcutaneous energy transmission system further comprising a processing system associated with the wireless power transmission transmit coil for processing the telemetry communication signal.

14. 10. The transcutaneous energy transmission system of claim 9, The wireless power transmission transmitting coil is configured to transmit a second telemetry communication signal to the wireless power transmission receiving coil in response to a second telemetry control signal received by a controller associated with the transmitting coil.

15. Detecting an operation state of a communication system associated with an implantable device having a transcutaneous energy transmission system including a wireless power transmission transmitting coil and a wireless power transmission receiving coil; providing a telemetry control signal to a transmit circuit of a controller for generating a telemetry communication signal in response to the detection of the operational condition of the communication system; transmitting the telemetry communication signal from the wireless power transmission receive coil to the wireless power transmission transmit coil.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, The method, wherein the telemetry control signal comprises a voltage in a range from about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, power is transmitted from the wireless power transmission transmitting coil to the wireless power transmission receiving coil at a certain frequency; The method of claim 1, wherein the telemetry communication signal is transmitted from the wireless power transfer receive coil to the wireless power transfer transmit coil at a harmonic of the frequency of the power.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, A method, wherein the telemetry control signal is provided to the transmit circuitry of the controller based at least in part on a detected operating condition of the implantable device.

19. 20. The method of claim 17, The method further comprising providing the telemetry communication signal to a processing system associated with the implantable device.

20. 16. The method of claim 15, The method further includes stopping wireless transmission of power between the wireless power transmission transmitting coil and the wireless power transmission receiving coil when the telemetry communication signal is transmitted from the wireless power transmission receiving coil to the wireless power transmission transmitting coil.

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