Power transmitter with flexible support

Abstract

An apparatus includes at least one magnetic induction (MI) antenna having at least one electrically conductive coil configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device within or on a portion of a recipient's body. The apparatus further includes at least one support having a portion configured to hold the at least one MI antenna sufficiently close to the portion of the recipient's body for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna to the device. The at least one support is configured to adjust a position and / or orientation of the at least one coil.

Description

COCLR.091WO PCT APPLICATIONPOWER TRANSMITTER WITH FLEXIBLE SUPPORTBACKGROUNDField

[0001] The present application relates generally to systems and methods for wirelessly transmitting power to a device on or implanted within a recipient’s body from an external device outside the recipient’s body.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Medical devices are devices that are intended to be used for medical purposes. They can vary in both their intended use and indications for use. Examples range from simple, low-risk medical supplies, such as tongue depressors, medical thermometers, disposable gloves, and bedpans, to complex, potentially high-risk devices that are implanted and / or sustain life, such as deep brain stimulators and cardiac stents. Other categories of medical devices include diagnostic equipment, such as x-ray machines and ultrasound scanners, life support equipment, such as mechanical ventilators and dialysis machines.

[0003] Hearing devices act on an actual or potential auditory perception of an individual, including to improve perception of sound signals, to reduce perception of sound signals, etc. In particular, a hearing device can deliver sound signals to a user in any form, including in the form of acoustical stimulation, mechanical stimulation, electrical stimulation, etc., and / or can operate to suppress all or some sound signals. As such, a hearing device can be a device for use by a hearing-impaired person (e.g., hearing aids, middle ear auditory prostheses, bone conduction devices, direct acoustic stimulators, electro-acoustic hearing prostheses, auditory brainstem stimulators, bimodal hearing prostheses, bilateral hearing prostheses, dedicated tinnitus therapy devices, tinnitus therapy devices, etc.) or a device for use by a person with normal hearing (e.g., consumer devices that provide audio streaming, consumer headphones, earphones and other listening devices), a hearing protection device, etc.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect disclosed herein, an apparatus comprises at least one magnetic induction (MI) antenna comprising at least one electrically conductive coil configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device within or on a portion of a recipient’s body. The apparatus further comprises at least one support having a portion configured to hold the at leastone MI antenna sufficiently close to the portion of the recipient’s body for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna to the device. The at least one support is configured to adjust a position and / or orientation of the at least one coil.

[0005] In another aspect disclosed herein, an apparatus comprises an elongate arm having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is mechanically coupled to a stationary location spaced from a portion of a recipient’s body. The second end portion is movable between at least a first position in proximity to the portion of the recipient’s body and a second position spaced from the portion of the recipient’s body. The apparatus further comprises at least one electrically conductive coil mounted to the second end portion. The at least one coil is configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device within or on the portion of the recipient’s body while the second end portion is in the first position.

[0006] In another aspect disclosed herein, a method comprises moving a bendable element comprising a power transfer coil from a first configuration in which the power transfer coil is spaced from a recipient to a second configuration in which the power transfer coil is inductively coupled to a device on or within the recipient. The method further comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the power transfer coil to the device. The method further comprises after wirelessly transmitting the power from the power transfer coil to the device, moving the bendable element to a third configuration in which the power transfer coil is spaced from the recipient.

[0007] In another aspect disclosed herein, a method comprises wirelessly transmitting power from a first power transfer coil to a device on or within a recipient while the recipient is lying on a pad in a first set of orientations in which the device is spaced from the pad. The method further comprises wirelessly transmitting power from a second power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is in a second set of orientations in which the device is adjacent to the pad.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Implementations are described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cochlear implant auditory prosthesis implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example fully implantable middle ear implant auditory prosthesis implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0011] FIGs. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate two example apparatus in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0012] FIG. 3C schematically illustrates an example apparatus with the portion of the recipient’s body in various orientations and / or positions in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0013] FIGs. 4A-4F schematically illustrate various example coils in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0014] FIGs. 5A-5C schematically illustrate various examples of arms in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0015] FIGs. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate another example apparatus in a first state and a second state, respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with certain implementations described herein; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of another example method in accordance with certain implementations described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Certain implementations described herein provide a wireless power transmitter for charging a device implanted or worn on a recipient’s body. The transmitter includes a flexible arm having a magnetic induction (MI) antenna, the arm movable to place and maintain the MI antenna in proximity to the device while transmitting power to the device. The transmitter can include one or more actuators configured to move the arm, a sensor configured to generate sensor signals indicative of the relative position and / or orientation of the MI antenna relative to the device and / or the recipient, and control circuitry configured to, in response to the sensor signals, generate control signals and provide the control signals to the one or more actuators to automatically control the position and / or orientation of the arm and / or MI antenna. One or more of these aspects are applicable to sensory prosthesis systems (e.g., auditory prosthesis systems; visual implants such as bionic eyes), sleep disorder systems (e.g.,sleep apnea systems), seizure systems (e.g., systems for monitoring and / or treating epileptic events), balance or movement disorder systems (e.g., vestibular stimulation systems), and / or tinnitus management systems.

[0019] There are a number of different types of devices in / with which the techniques presented herein can be implemented. Merely for ease of description, the techniques presented herein are primarily described with reference to a specific device. However, it is to be appreciated that the techniques presented herein can also be partially or fully implemented by any of a number of different types of devices or systems, including consumer electronic devices (e.g., consumer hearing devices, consumer computing devices such as mobile phones and tablets, audio equipment such as home theatre and car audio systems, etc.), computing systems (e.g., servers in data centers, Internet-of-Things (loT) devices), various types of software systems, such as databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence systems, other medical devices, such as diagnostic equipment or life sustaining equipment, etc. For example, the techniques presented herein could be used in or with sensory protheses, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, and various medical devices, such as pacemakers, drug delivery systems, implantable defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, sleep disorder devices (e.g., sleep apnea devices), seizure devices (e.g., devices for monitoring and / or treating epileptic events), balance or movement disorder devices (e.g., vestibular stimulation devices), tinnitus management devices, visual implants (e.g., bionic eyes), etc.

[0020] The teachings detailed herein are applicable, in at least some implementations, to any type of implantable or non-implantable stimulation or measurement system (e.g., implantable or non-implantable auditory prosthesis device or system). Implementations can include any type of medical device that can utilize the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof. Furthermore, while certain implementations are described herein in the context of auditory prosthesis devices, certain other implementations are compatible in the context of other types of devices or systems.

[0021] Merely for ease of description, apparatus and methods disclosed herein are primarily described with reference to an illustrative medical device, namely an implantable transducer assembly including but not limited to: electro-acoustic electrical / acoustic systems, cochlear implant devices, implantable hearing aid devices, middle ear implant devices, boneconduction devices (e.g., active bone conduction devices; passive bone conduction devices, percutaneous bone conduction devices; transcutaneous bone conduction devices), Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant (DACI), middle ear transducer (MET), electro-acoustic implant devices, other types of auditory prosthesis devices, and / or combinations or variations thereof, or any other suitable hearing prosthesis system with or without one or more external components. Implementations can include any type of auditory prosthesis that can utilize the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof. Certain such implementations can be referred to as “partially implantable,” “semi-implantable,” “mostly implantable,” “fully implantable,” or “totally implantable” auditory prostheses. In some implementations, the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof can be utilized in other types of prostheses beyond auditory prostheses.

[0022] While certain implementations are described herein in the context of auditory prosthesis devices, certain other implementations are compatible in the context of other types of sensory prosthesis systems that are configured to evoke other types of neural or sensory (e.g., sight, tactile, smell, taste) percepts are compatible with certain implementations described herein, including but are not limited to: vestibular devices (e.g., vestibular implants), tinnitus treatment devices, visual devices (e.g., bionic eyes), visual prostheses (e.g., retinal implants), somatosensory implants, and chemosensory implants. Certain other implementations are compatible with other types of medical devices that can utilize the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof to provide a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients, patients, or other users (e.g., epilepsy monitoring systems; pain control systems; bladder control systems; sleep apnea control systems; neurostimulators; pacemakers), to perform monitoring or measuring functionalities (e.g., electroencephalogram monitoring of brain function; electrocardiogram monitoring of heart function), or other medical implants comprising a rechargeable implanted power source.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cochlear implant auditory prosthesis 100 implanted in a recipient in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The example auditory prosthesis 100 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising an implanted stimulator unit 120 and a microphone assembly 124 that is external to the recipient (e.g., a partially implantable cochlear implant). An example auditory prosthesis 100 (e.g., a totally implantable cochlear implant; a mostly implantable cochlear implant) in accordance withcertain implementations described herein can replace the external microphone assembly 124 shown in FIG. 1 with a subcutaneously implantable microphone assembly, as described more fully herein. In certain implementations, the example cochlear implant auditory prosthesis 100 of FIG. 1 can be in conjunction with a reservoir of liquid medicament as described herein.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the recipient has an outer ear 101, a middle ear 105, and an inner ear 107. In a fully functional ear, the outer ear 101 comprises an auricle 110 and an ear canal 102. An acoustic pressure or sound wave 103 is collected by the auricle 110 and is channeled into and through the ear canal 102. Disposed across the distal end of the ear canal 102 is a tympanic membrane 104 which vibrates in response to the sound wave 103. This vibration is coupled to oval window or fenestra ovalis 112 through three bones of middle ear 105, collectively referred to as the ossicles 106 and comprising the malleus 108, the incus 109, and the stapes 111. The bones 108, 109, and 111 of the middle ear 105 serve to filter and amplify the sound wave 103, causing the oval window 112 to articulate, or vibrate in response to vibration of the tympanic membrane 104. This vibration sets up waves of fluid motion of the perilymph within cochlea 140. Such fluid motion, in turn, activates tiny hair cells (not shown) inside the cochlea 140. Activation of the hair cells causes appropriate nerve impulses to be generated and transferred through the spiral ganglion cells (not shown) and auditory nerve 114 to the brain (also not shown) where they are perceived as sound.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the example auditory prosthesis 100 comprises one or more components which are temporarily or permanently implanted in the recipient. The example auditory prosthesis 100 is shown in FIG. 1 with an external component 142 which is directly or indirectly attached to the recipient’s body, and an internal component 144 which is temporarily or permanently implanted in the recipient (e.g., positioned in a recess of the temporal bone adjacent auricle 110 of the recipient). The external component 142 typically comprises one or more sound input elements (e.g., an external microphone 124) for detecting sound, a sound processing unit 126 (e.g., disposed in a Behind- The-Ear unit), a power source (not shown), and an external transmitter unit 128. In the illustrative implementations of FIG. 1, the external transmitter unit 128 comprises an external coil 130 (e.g., a wire antenna coil comprising multiple turns of electrically insulated single-strand or multi-strand platinum or gold wire) and, preferably, a magnet (not shown) secured directly or indirectly to the external coil 130. The external coil 130 of the external transmitter unit 128 is part of an inductive radiofrequency (RF) communication link with the internal component 144. The sound processing unit 126 processes the output of the microphone 124 that is positioned externally to the recipient’s body, in the depicted implementation, by the recipient’s auricle 110. The sound processing unit 126 processes the output of the microphone 124 and generates encoded signals, sometimes referred to herein as encoded data signals, which are provided to the external transmitter unit 128 (e.g., via a cable). As will be appreciated, the sound processing unit 126 can utilize digital processing techniques to provide frequency shaping, amplification, compression, and other signal conditioning, including conditioning based on recipient-specific fitting parameters.

[0026] The power source of the external component 142 is configured to provide power to the auditory prosthesis 100, where the auditory prosthesis 100 includes a battery (e.g., located in the internal component 144, or disposed in a separate implanted location) that is recharged by the power provided from the external component 142 (e.g., via a transcutaneous energy transfer link). The transcutaneous energy transfer link is used to transfer power and / or data to the internal component 144 of the auditory prosthesis 100. Various types of energy transfer, such as infrared (IR), electromagnetic, capacitive, and inductive transfer, may be used to transfer the power and / or data from the external component 142 to the internal component 144. During operation of the auditory prosthesis 100, the power stored by the rechargeable battery is distributed to the various other implanted components as needed.

[0027] The internal component 144 comprises an internal receiver unit 132, a stimulator unit 120, and an elongate electrode assembly 118. In some implementations, the internal receiver unit 132 and the stimulator unit 120 are hermetically sealed within a biocompatible housing. The internal receiver unit 132 comprises an internal coil 136 (e.g., a wire antenna coil comprising multiple turns of electrically insulated single-strand or multistrand platinum or gold wire), and preferably, a magnet (also not shown) fixed relative to the internal coil 136. The internal receiver unit 132 and the stimulator unit 120 are hermetically sealed within a biocompatible housing, sometimes collectively referred to as a stimulator / receiver unit. The internal coil 136 receives power and / or data signals from the external coil 130 via a transcutaneous energy transfer link (e.g., an inductive RF link). The stimulator unit 120 generates electrical stimulation signals based on the data signals, and the stimulation signals are delivered to the recipient via the elongate electrode assembly 118.

[0028] The elongate electrode assembly 118 has a proximal end connected to the stimulator unit 120, and a distal end implanted in the cochlea 140. The electrode assembly 118 extends from the stimulator unit 120 to the cochlea 140 through the mastoid bone 119. In some implementations, the electrode assembly 118 may be implanted at least in the basal region 116, and sometimes further. For example, the electrode assembly 118 may extend towards apical end of cochlea 140, referred to as cochlea apex 134. In certain circumstances, the electrode assembly 118 may be inserted into the cochlea 140 via a cochleostomy 122. In other circumstances, a cochleostomy may be formed through the round window 121, the oval window 112, the promontory 123, or through an apical turn 147 of the cochlea 140.

[0029] The elongate electrode assembly 118 comprises a longitudinally aligned and distally extending array 146 of electrodes or contacts 148, sometimes referred to as electrode or contact array 146 herein, disposed along a length thereof. Although the electrode array 146 can be disposed on the electrode assembly 118, in most practical applications, the electrode array 146 is integrated into the electrode assembly 118 (e.g., the electrode array 146 is disposed in the electrode assembly 118). As noted, the stimulator unit 120 generates stimulation signals which are applied by the electrodes 148 to the cochlea 140, thereby stimulating the auditory nerve 114.

[0030] While FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an auditory prosthesis 100 utilizing an external component 142 comprising an external microphone 124, an external sound processing unit 126, and an external power source, in certain other implementations, one or more of the microphone 124, sound processing unit 126, and power source are implantable on or within the recipient (e.g., within the internal component 144). For example, the auditory prosthesis 100 can have each of the microphone 124, sound processing unit 126, and power source implantable on or within the recipient (e.g., encapsulated within a biocompatible assembly located subcutaneously), and can be referred to as a totally implantable cochlear implant (“HQ”). For another example, the auditory prosthesis 100 can have most components of the cochlear implant (e.g., excluding the microphone, which can be an in-the-ear-canal microphone) implantable on or within the recipient, and can be referred to as a mostly implantable cochlear implant (“MIQ”).

[0031] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example fully implantable auditory prosthesis 200 (e.g., fully implantable middle ear implant or totallyimplantable acoustic system), implanted in a recipient, utilizing an acoustic actuator in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The example auditory prosthesis 200 of FIG. 2 comprises a biocompatible implantable assembly 202 (e.g., comprising an implantable capsule) located subcutaneously (e.g., beneath the recipient’s skin and on a recipient's skull). While FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example implantable assembly 202 comprising a microphone, in other example auditory prostheses 200, a pendant microphone can be used (e.g., connected to the implantable assembly 202 by a cable). The implantable assembly 202 includes a signal receiver 204 (e.g., comprising a coil element) and an acoustic transducer (e.g., a microphone assembly 206 comprising a diaphragm and an electret or piezoelectric transducer) that is positioned to receive acoustic signals through the recipient’s overlying tissue. The implantable assembly 202 may further be utilized to house a number of components of the fully implantable auditory prosthesis 200. For example, the implantable assembly 202 can include an energy storage device and a signal processor (e.g., a sound processing unit). Various additional processing logic and / or circuitry components can also be included in the implantable assembly 202 as a matter of design choice.

[0032] For the example auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2, the signal processor of the implantable assembly 202 is in operative communication (e.g., electrically interconnected via a wire 208) with an actuator 210 (e.g., comprising a transducer configured to generate mechanical vibrations in response to electrical signals from the signal processor). In other example auditory prostheses 200, the signal processor of the implantable assembly 202 is in wireless communication with the actuator 210. In certain implementations, the example auditory prosthesis 100, 200 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 can comprise an implantable microphone assembly, such as the microphone assembly 206 shown in FIG. 2. For such an example auditory prosthesis 100, the signal processor of the implantable assembly 202 can be in operative communication (e.g., electrically interconnected via a wire) with the microphone assembly 206 and the stimulator unit of the main implantable component 120. In certain implementations, at least one of the microphone assembly 206 and the signal processor (e.g., a sound processing unit) is implanted on or within the recipient.

[0033] The actuator 210 of the example auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2 is supportably connected to a positioning system 212, which in turn, is connected to a bone anchor 214 mounted within the recipient's mastoid process (e.g., via a hole drilled through theskull). The actuator 210 includes a connection apparatus 216 for connecting the actuator 210 to the ossicles 106 of the recipient. In a connected state, the connection apparatus 216 provides a communication path for acoustic stimulation of the ossicles 106 (e.g., through transmission of vibrations from the actuator 210 to the incus 109).

[0034] During normal operation, ambient acoustic signals (e.g., ambient sound) impinge on the recipient’s tissue and are received transcutaneously at the microphone assembly 206. Upon receipt of the transcutaneous signals, a signal processor within the implantable assembly 202 processes the signals to provide a processed audio drive signal (e.g., via wire 208 or via wireless communication) to the actuator 210. As will be appreciated, the signal processor may utilize digital processing techniques to provide frequency shaping, amplification, compression, and other signal conditioning, including conditioning based on recipient-specific fitting parameters. The audio drive signal causes the actuator 210 to transmit vibrations at acoustic frequencies to the connection apparatus 216 to affect the desired sound sensation via mechanical stimulation of the incus 109 of the recipient.

[0035] The subcutaneously implantable microphone assembly 202 is configured to respond to auditory signals (e.g., sound; pressure variations in an audible frequency range) by generating output signals (e.g., electrical signals; optical signals; electromagnetic signals) indicative of the auditory signals received by the microphone assembly 202, and these output signals are used by the auditory prosthesis 100, 200 to generate stimulation signals which are provided to the recipient’s auditory system. To compensate for the decreased acoustic signal strength reaching the microphone assembly 202 by virtue of being implanted, the diaphragm of an implantable microphone assembly 202 can be configured to provide higher sensitivity than are external non-implantable microphone assemblies. For example, the diaphragm of an implantable microphone assembly 202 can be configured to be more robust and / or larger than diaphragms for external non-implantable microphone assemblies.

[0036] The example auditory prostheses 100 shown in FIG. 1 utilizes an external microphone 124 and the auditory prosthesis 200 shown in FIG. 2 utilizes an implantable microphone assembly 206 comprising a subcutaneously implantable acoustic transducer. In certain implementations described herein, the auditory prosthesis 100 utilizes one or more implanted microphone assemblies on or within the recipient. In certain implementations described herein, the auditory prosthesis 200 utilizes one or more microphone assemblies thatare positioned external to the recipient and / or that are implanted on or within the recipient, and utilizes one or more acoustic transducers (e.g., actuator 210) that are implanted on or within the recipient. In certain implementations, an external microphone assembly can be used to supplement an implantable microphone assembly of the auditory prosthesis 100, 200. Thus, the teachings detailed herein and / or variations thereof can be utilized with any type of external or implantable microphone arrangement, and the acoustic transducers shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 are merely illustrative.

[0037] FIGs. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate two example apparatus 300 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. The apparatus 300 comprises at least one magnetic induction (MI) antenna 310 comprising at least one electrically conductive coil 312 configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device 400 (e.g., auditory prosthesis 100, 200) within or on a portion 405 of a recipient’s body. The apparatus 300 further comprises at least one support 320 having a portion 322 configured to hold the at least one MI antenna 310 sufficiently close to the portion 405 of the recipient’s body for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna 310 to the device 400. The at least one support 320 is configured to adjust a position and / or orientation of the at least one coil 312. For example, the at least one support 320 can be configured to move the at least one MI antenna 310 between a first position (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) sufficiently close to the portion 405 for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna 310 and a second position (see, e.g., FIG. 3B) sufficiently distant from the portion 405 to not impede movement of the portion 405. FIG. 3C schematically illustrates an example apparatus 300 with the portion 405 (e.g., head) of the recipient’s body in various orientations and / or positions (e.g., on a cushion 302 during a sleep session or between different sleep sessions) in accordance with certain implementations described herein.

[0038] In certain implementations, as shown in FIGs. 3A-3C, the portion 405 of the recipient’s body comprises the recipient’s head, which is shown to be resting on a cushion 302 (e.g., pillow; mattress) during power transmission (e.g., during a sleep session). In certain implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises the cushion 302, while in certain other implementations, the apparatus 300 does not comprise a cushion 302 (e.g., but can be configured to be used in conjunction with a cushion 302).

[0039] In certain implementations, the device 400 receiving power from the apparatus 300 is an implanted portion of a transcutaneous system (e.g., a “partiallyimplantable,” “semi-implantable,” “mostly implantable,” “fully implantable,” or “totally implantable” transcutaneous system) configured to operate using power currently being received by the device 400 and / or previously received and stored by the device 400. For example, the transcutaneous system can be a sensory prosthesis system (e.g., auditory prosthesis system; visual prosthesis system; vestibular prosthesis system), a muscle (e.g., heart) stimulation or monitoring system, a nerve stimulation or monitoring system, or a brain stimulation or monitoring system.

[0040] The device 400 can comprise at least one implanted MI antenna 410 (e.g., at least one substantially planar antenna coil) and can be configured to operate with a corresponding external portion (not shown) of the transcutaneous system. The external portion can comprise at least one external MI antenna configured to be in wireless communication with the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 while the external portion is worn on the recipient’s body. For an auditory prosthesis system, the device 400 can be implanted on and substantially parallel to a bone surface within the recipient (e.g., a surface of a portion of the skull behind an auricle 110 or pinna; a surface of the mastoid bone 119) and the external portion can be configured to be worn on the head with the at least one external MI antenna (e.g., on and / or behind the auricle 110) in wireless communication with the at least one implanted MI antenna 410. The external portion of the transcutaneous system can be configured to be worn on the body portion 405 (e.g., head) during a normal operation mode of the device 400 and configured to be removed from the recipient’s body during a power transfer mode of the device 400 (e.g., during a sleep session of the recipient), during which the apparatus 300 provides power to the device 400.

[0041] During the normal operation mode of the device 400, the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 (e.g., second communication coil) can be in wireless communication with at least one external MI antenna of the external portion and, during the power transfer mode, the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 can be in wireless communication with the at least one first MI antenna 310, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 3A. The device 400 can further comprise circuitry 420 configured to receive data and / or control signals from the external portion of the transcutaneous system during the normal operation mode and configured to receive power signals from the apparatus 300 during the power transfer mode. The circuitry 420 can also be configured to receive / transmit data and / orcontrol signals from / to the apparatus 300 during the power transfer mode. In certain implementations, the device 400 is configured to operate without an external portion during the normal operation mode of the device 400 (e.g., a wholly subcutaneous or fully implantable system) and is configured to be in wireless communication with the at least one first MI antenna 310 during the power transfer mode.

[0042] In certain implementations, the device 400 is an implanted portion of a sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) (e.g., sleep apnea) treatment system for which the normal operation mode is also the power transfer mode. For example, the device 400 can be implanted on or within the recipient’s jaw, neck, or shoulder region (e.g., with stimulation electrodes on, within, or in proximity to the recipient’s tongue or hypoglossal nerve) and the apparatus 300 can be configured to provide data and / or control signals, in addition to the power signals, to the device 400 during a sleep session of the recipient.

[0043] The circuitry 420 of the device 400 can comprise stimulation and / or measurement circuitry comprising one or more active elements (e.g., stimulator unit 120; assembly 202; vibrating actuator) configured to deliver stimuli (e.g., stimulation signals) to a portion of the recipient’s body and / or to detect an attribute or condition of the recipient’s body and can be in electrical communication with the portion of the recipient’s body via electrical conduits (e.g., electrode assembly 118; return electrode) extending from the device 400 to a region of the recipient’s body. In certain implementations, the circuitry 420 is configured to directly use power received by the at least one implanted MI antenna 410. In certain other implementations, the circuitry 420 comprises power storage circuitry 422 (e.g., battery; capacitor) configured to receive and store power from the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 during a first time period (e.g., while the device 400 is in proximity to and / or in wireless communication range with the apparatus 300) and to provide stored power to other portions of the circuitry 420 during a second time period (e.g., while the device 400 is spaced and / or out of wireless communication range from the apparatus 300) subsequent to the first time period.

[0044] In certain implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises a housing 305 (e.g., safeguard enclosure) and the at least one first MI antenna 310 is contained (e.g., hermetically sealed) within the housing 305. The housing 305 can comprise an electrically insulative material (e.g., silicone rubber; polymer; poly ether- ether ketone (PEEK); ceramic; titanium oxide; fiberglass; parylene; other electrically non-conductive material) that issubstantially transparent to the electromagnetic or magnetic fields generated by the at least one first MI antenna 310 (e.g., such that the housing 305 does not substantially interfere with power, data, and / or control signal transmission between the apparatus 300 and the device 400).

[0045] In certain implementations, the housing 305 comprises an outer surface 306 configured to be proximal (e.g., contacting) the portion 405 of the recipient’s body and the housing 305 is configured to prevent the at least one coil 312 from being positioned less than a predetermined distance from the recipient’s body (e.g., to maintain a minimum separation distance between a center of the at least one coil 312 and the portion 405 and other portions of the recipient’s body). For example, the at least one coil 312 can be affixed within the housing 305 and spaced from the outer surface 306 of the housing 305 such that, during contact of the outer surface 306 with the portion 405, energy transfer from the at least one coil 312 to the device 400 cannot exceed predetermined specific absorption rate (SAR) values (e.g., protecting the recipient from excessive electromagnetic exposure; inhibit overheating or component damage of the device 400).

[0046] In certain implementations, the at least one first MI antenna 310 comprises a single substantially planar coil 312 in the housing 305, while in certain other implementations, the at least one first MI antenna 310 comprises a plurality of substantially planar coils 312 within a common housing 305. For example, the coils 312 within the housing 305 can overlap one another or not overlap one another. At least some of the coils 312 can be substantially parallel or coplanar with one another, and / or at least some of the coils 312 can be substantially perpendicular to one or more other coils 312 (e.g., in two or three orthogonal orientations). For example, the housing 305 can comprise multiple coils 312 that are at nonzero angles (e.g., orthogonal) relative to one another. In certain implementations, the at least one coil 312 comprises an electrically conductive wire (e.g., platinum, gold, copper, or other metal; electrically insulated single-strand or multi-strand) with one or more loops wound around and substantially orthogonal to a coil axis 314. For another example, the at least one coil 312 can comprise a metal trace (e.g., copper) with one or more loops on a flexible substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) and that run (e.g., wind) around the antenna axis 314.

[0047] FIGs. 4A-4F schematically illustrate various example coils 312 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. FIGs. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a perspective view and a top view, respectfully, of an example substantially circularcoil 312 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a perspective view of another example substantially circular coil 312 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. FIGs. 4D and 4E schematically illustrate a perspective view and a top view, respectfully, of an example substantially rectangular coil 312 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. FIG. 4F schematically illustrates a perspective view of another example substantially rectangular coil 312 in accordance with certain implementations described herein.

[0048] As shown in FIGs. 4A-4B and 4D-4E, the coil 312 can have coil loops that are substantially co-planar with one another (e.g., planar spiral), and as shown in FIGs. 4C and 4F, the coil loops can be substantially parallel to one another (e.g., spring-shaped). While FIGs. 4A-4F show the coil 312 having three coil loops, other numbers of coil loops (e.g., 2, 4, 5, 6, or more) and other shapes (e.g., oval, obround, fabiform, reniform, or others) are also compatible with certain implementations described herein. In certain implementations in which the apparatus 300 comprises multiple MI antennas 310 with multiple coils 312, the coils 312 can comprise the same number of coil loops as one another and the coil loops can have substantially equal widths and / or shapes as one another, while in certain other implementations, two or more of the MI antennas 310 can have coils 312 with numbers of coil loops, widths, and / or shapes of the coil loops that differ from one another.

[0049] In certain implementations, the at least one coil 312 has a lateral dimension (e.g., diameter, length, and / or width, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the antenna axis 314) less than or equal to 150 millimeters (e.g., in a range of 15 millimeters to 60 millimeters; in a range of 50 millimeters to 100 millimeters). In certain implementations, the at least one coil 312 has at least one lateral dimension that is substantially equal to or greater than (e.g., by a factor of 1.2, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) at least one lateral dimension of the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 of the device 400. In certain implementations, the at least one coil 312 is substantially planar and the at least one support 320 is configured to be moved between a first state in which the at least one coil is substantially horizontal (e.g., in proximity to the device 400 as shown in FIG. 3 A) and a second state in which the at least one coil is substantially vertical (e.g., spaced away from the device 400 as shown in FIG. 3B).

[0050] In certain implementations, the at least one support 320 comprises a base portion 324 configured to be placed on and / or affixed to a stationary surface spaced from therecipient’s body. For example, as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B, the base portion 324 can comprise an enclosure 330 configured to be placed on the stationary surface (e.g., side table adjacent to a bed upon which the recipient sleeps). For another example (see, e.g., FIGs. 5A- 5C), the base portion 324 can comprise a clamp 340 configured to be reversibly affixed and removed from a stationary surface (e.g., chair upon which the recipient sits; headboard of a bed upon which the recipient sleeps). In still other examples, the base portion 324 can comprise both an enclosure 330 and a clamp 340.

[0051] The base portion 324 can further comprise at least one coil driver 332 at least partially within the enclosure 330 and control circuitry 334 at least partially within the enclosure 330. The at least one coil driver 332 can be in electrical communication with the at least one coil 312 (e.g., via a wire or cable extending along the at least one support 320) and can be configured to provide at least one electrical current to the at least one MI antenna 310 (e.g., to flow within the at least one coil 312) and the control circuitry 334 can be in operable communication with the at least one coil driver 332 (e.g., to control the magnitude, phase, and / or duty cycle of at least one electrical current provided by the at least one coil driver 332 to the at least one MI antenna 310). By adjusting the at least one electrical current, the control circuitry 334 can adjust a power level transmitted by the at least one coil 312 (e.g., adjusting the at least one electrical current to be less than a predetermined maximum threshold level and / or greater than a predetermined minimum threshold level). The predetermined minimum threshold level can be indicative of a minimum power transfer rate to be achieved between the apparatus 300 and the device 400. The predetermined maximum threshold level can correspond to a maximum level in compliance with a predetermined medical safety regulatory standard indicative of deleterious physical effects on the recipient’s tissue by exposure of the recipient’s body to electric, magnetic, and / or electromagnetic fields. The control circuitry 334 can use the predetermined maximum threshold level to set an upper bound on the power emanating from the apparatus 300 (e.g., an upper bound on the at least one electrical current flowing through the at least one coil 312).

[0052] Examples of medical safety regulatory standards compatible with certain implementations described herein include but are not limited to: specific absorption rate (SAR) standard; nerve stimulation (NS) standard; tissue heating (TH) standard. A SAR value can be defined as an average rate of energy deposition (e.g., absorption) per unit mass of body tissue(e.g., units of W / kg) when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic, magnetic, or electric field. A NS value can be defined as a level of electric fields (e.g., voltage gradients) induced within a body portion by exposure to electric and / or magnetic fields (e.g., with frequencies of 3 kHz to 10 MHz). For sufficiently intense induced electric fields, the resting membrane potential of the tissue can result in spontaneous depolarization of the membrane and the generation of spurious action potentials. A TH value can be defined as a level of thermal heating induced within a body portion by exposure to electromagnetic, electric, and / or magnetic fields (e.g., with frequencies of 100 kHz to 300 GHz), where a sufficient temperature increase can result in a physiologically significant effect. The TH value can be determined using a thermal dose parameter that quantifies effects from heating using a tissue model (e.g., CEM43).

[0053] In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 comprises one or more microprocessors (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits; generalized integrated circuits programmed by software with computer executable instructions; microelectronic circuitry; microcontrollers) and at least one storage device (e.g., at least one tangible or non-transitory computer readable storage medium; read only memory; random access memory; flash memory) configured to store information (e.g., data; commands) accessed by the one or more microprocessors during operation. The at least one storage device can be encoded with software (e.g., a computer program downloaded as an application) comprising computer executable instructions for instructing the one or more microprocessors (e.g., executable data access logic, evaluation logic, and / or information outputting logic). In certain implementations, the one or more microprocessors execute the instructions of the software to provide functionality as described herein. In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 comprises communication circuitry (e.g., RF antenna; Bluetooth antenna) configured to receive data and / or control signals from an external device (e.g., smart phone; smart tablet; smart watch; other remote device operated by the recipient) and / or to transmit data signals to the external device.

[0054] In certain implementations, as schematically illustrated by FIGs. 3A and 3C, power transfer from the apparatus 300 to the device 400 is performed using the at least one MI antenna 310 at the portion 322 (e.g., end portion) of the at least one support 320. For example, with the portion 405 of the recipient’s body in various positions and / or orientations,the at least one MI antenna 310 at the portion 322 of the at least one support 320 can be controllably moved to access the device 400 (e.g., to be in operable communication with the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 of the device 400). However, in certain positions and / or orientations of the portion 405, the device 400 can be inaccessible to the at least one MI antenna 310. For example, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 3B, with the device 400 implanted on or within a first side of the recipient’s head and the recipient’s head positioned with the first side on the cushion 302, the at least one MI antenna 310 can be prevented from being placed in operative communication with the device 400 (e.g., prevented from being sufficiently close to the device 400 to efficiently transfer power from the at least one MI antenna 310 to the at least one implanted MI antenna 410).

[0055] In certain implementations, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 3B, the apparatus 300 further comprises at least one second MI antenna 350 in operable communication with the at least one coil driver 332, the at least one second MI antenna 350 comprising at least one electrically conductive second coil 352. For example, the at least one second coil 352 can be positioned on and / or within an underlying support surface (e.g., mattress surface; bedframe surface), can be embedded within a padded component (e.g., cushion 302) in contact with the portion 405 of the recipient’s body (e.g., pillow charger; mattress charger; headrest charger; chair charger), or can be worn and / or held by the recipient. As schematically illustrated by FIG. 3B, the at least one second MI antenna 350 can be in proximity to (e.g., within; beneath) the cushion 302 upon which the portion 405 of the recipient’s body is positioned. Upon the portion 405 of the recipient’s body being in a position and / or orientation in which the device 400 is inaccessible to the at least one MI antenna 310, the apparatus 300 can use the at least one second MI antenna 350 (e.g., instead of the at least one MI antenna 310) to transfer power to the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 of the device 400.

[0056] In certain implementations, the at least one support 320 comprises an articulatable arm 360 (e.g., robotic arm) affixed to the base portion 324 (e.g., enclosure 330; clamp 340) and to the portion 322 (e.g., end portion). The arm 360 is configured to be manually and / or automatically flexed and to stay in position once flexed until subsequently flexed again. FIGs. 5A-5C schematically illustrate various examples of arms 360 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. For example, as shown in FIGs. 5A and 5B, the arm 360(e.g., goose-neck arm) can comprise a flexible elongate portion 362 configured to be bent (e.g., manually by the recipient; automatically by an actuator of the apparatus 300) and to remain rigid to maintain the position and / or orientation of the at least one coil 312 (e.g., relative to the portion 405 of the recipient’s body). The example flexible elongate portion 362 of FIG. 5A comprises a plurality of discrete segments 364 configured to be moved to controllably adjust an angle between at least one segment 364 relative to the adjacent (e.g., neighboring) segments 364 on either side of the at least one segment 364. The example flexible elongate portion 362 of FIG. 5B comprises a continuous plastically bendable member 366. For another example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the arm 360 can comprise two or more elongate portions 367 and at least one hinge 368 (e.g., joint) between and affixed to two elongate portions 367. The at least one hinge 368 can be configured to be controllably rotated to controllably adjust an angle between the two elongate portions 367. In certain implementations, as schematically illustrated by FIGs. 3A-3C. the apparatus 300 comprises a single arm 360 affixed to the base portion 324 and having a single MI antenna 310, while in certain other implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises a single arm 360 having multiple MI antennas 310. In still other implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises multiple arms 360 affixed to the base portion 324, each having a single MI antenna 310. In yet other implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises multiple arms 360 affixed to the base portion 324, each having multiple MI antennas 310.

[0057] In certain implementations, the apparatus 300 further comprises at least one sensor 370 configured to generate at least one sensor signal indicative of a distance and / or location of the portion 322 relative to the device 400 and / or the portion 405 of the recipient’s body. The at least one sensor 370 can be located on and / or within the housing 305, as schematically illustrated by FIGs. 3A and 3B, or the at least one sensor 370 can be located on and / or within another portion of the at least one support 320 (e.g., base portion 324; arm 360). In certain implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises a plurality of sensors 370 distributed across the apparatus 300, while in certain other implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises a single sensor 370 (e.g., located in proximity to a region in which multiple coils 312 of the at least one first MI antenna 310 overlap one another).

[0058] In certain implementations, the at least one sensor 370 is selected from the group consisting of: distance sensor; human body detection sensor; thermal (e.g., heat) sensor; ultrasonic sensor; acoustic sensor; infrared sensor (e.g., Grid-EYE infrared array sensor);optical (e.g., infrared light; ultraviolet light; visible light) sensor; camera; proximity sensor; impedance sensor; radio-frequency (RF) reflectometry sensor, biometric sensor. In certain implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises at least one UWB radar sensor (e.g., X4 UWB short-range impulse radar transceiver system-on-chip sensor available from Novelda Oslo of Oslo Norway), at least one mm-wave radar sensor (e.g., 24 GHz human presence sensing module), and / or at least one capacitive sensor (e.g., MS889X-series capacitive sensor available from Microdul AG of Zurich Switzerland) which operates based on the detection of the higher dielectric constant of tissue (e.g., s > 20) compared to the dielectric constant of air (e.g., s = 1).

[0059] In certain implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises at least one radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor (e.g., reader) or at least one near-field communication (NFC) sensor (e.g., reader) configured to receive information from at least one RFID or NFC tag on or within the device 400 and / or the portion 405 of the recipient’s body. In certain other implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises a power transfer sensor responsive to a power transfer between the at least one coil 312 and the device 400, which is indicative of the relative position and / or orientation of the at least one coil 312 to the portion 405 of the recipient’s body. By responding to the power transfer sensor to adjust the location of the at least one coil 312 relative to the device 400 and / or the portion 405, the sensor signals from the power transfer sensor can be used as a feedback signal to maintain a substantially constant coupling coefficient between the at least one coil 312 and the device 400 while the recipient moves.

[0060] In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 is configured to receive, in real-time, the at least one sensor signal from the at least one sensor 370, and configured to, in response at least in part to the at least one sensor signal, automatically control (e.g., adjust) in real-time (e.g., dynamically) the at least one electrical current flowing through the at least one coil 312 and / or the position and / or orientation of the at least one MI antenna 310 relative to the portion 405 of the recipient’ s body. The at least one electrical current and / or the position and / or orientation of the at least one MI antenna 310 can correspond to an optimal power transmission rate while keeping the field exposure of the recipient’s tissue below a maximum level in compliance with a predetermined medical safety regulatory standard. In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 is configured to access stored informationthat is usable by the control circuitry 334 to determine the expected coupling coefficient between the at least one MI antenna 310 and the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 and / or the expected field exposure of the recipient’s tissue as a function of the at least one electrical current. In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 is configured to utilize the information received from the at least one sensor signal and the accessed stored information to determine the magnitude, phase, and / or frequency of the at least one electrical current to be used to achieve an optimal power transfer rate from the apparatus 300 to the device 400. Examples of such stored information include but are not limited to: dimensions and / or other parameters of the at least one MI antenna 310, the at least one implanted MI antenna 410, and / or the body portion 405 (e.g., dimensions of the head); location of the at least one implanted MI antenna 410 relative to the body portion 405 and location of the at least one sensor 370 relative to the at least one MI antenna 310.

[0061] In certain implementations, the control circuitry 334 is configured to, in response at least in part to the at least one sensor signal, automatically control (e.g., adjust) the at least one support 320 to adjust the position and / or orientation of the at least one coil 312 relative to the portion 405 of the recipient’s body. For example, the at least one hinge 368 can comprise at least one actuator (e.g., rotary actuator; linear actuator; servo motor) configured to receive control signals from the control circuitry 334 and to respond to the control signals by adjusting the at least one hinge 368 to controllably modify an angle between two elongate portions 367 on either side of the at least one hinge 368. In certain other implementations, the at least one actuator of the at least one hinge 368 is configured to receive the sensor signals and to respond to the sensor signals by controllably modifying the angle between the two elongate portions 367.

[0062] For example, the apparatus 300 can comprise a sensor 370 (e.g., distance sensor) and the arm 360 (e.g., robotic arm) can comprise at least one actuator configured to automatically lower the at least one coil 312 to be a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 cm) from the portion 405 of the recipient’s body to facilitate power transfer from the at least one coil 312 to the at least one second MI antenna 410 of the device 400. As the recipient moves (e.g., during sleep), the sensor 370 detects such movement and, in response to the sensor signals, the control circuitry 334 adjusts the at least one actuator to automatically maintain thepredetermined distance between the at least one coil 312 and the portion 405 of the recipient’s body.

[0063] In certain implementations, the at least one sensor 370 comprises at least one distance sensor configured to detect the distance between the at least one MI antenna 310 and the portion 405 of the recipient’s body and at least one thermal sensor (e.g., thermal camera) configured to detect body heat from the recipient and / or resistive heating of the antenna coil of the at least one implanted MI antenna 410. With the recipient’s body warmer than the surrounding environment and the antenna coil warmer than the recipient’s body (e.g., during power transfer), the at least one thermal sensor can determine the location of the at least one implanted MI antenna 410. In response to the sensor signals from the at least one thermal sensor indicative of such information and the sensor signals from the at least one distance sensor indicative of the distance between the at least one MI antenna 310 and the portion 405 of the recipient’s body, the control circuitry 334 can determine the adjustments to be made to the arm 360 to maintain a relative position and orientation of the at least one coil 312 to facilitate power transfer to the device 400, and the control circuitry 334 can generate and transmit corresponding control signals to the at least one actuator of the arm 360 to maintain the relative position and orientations.

[0064] In certain implementations, the portion 322 comprises a light source 380 visible to the recipient (e.g., to facilitate the recipient to find the portion 322 in the dark during a sleep session). The light source 380 can comprise a light generator (e.g., light-emitting diode; lamp) and / or a light reflector (e.g., optically reflective layer). As shown in FIGs. 5A-5C, the light source 380 can be positioned on a top surface of the housing 305, but other positions of the light source 380 (e.g., bottom or side surface of the housing 305; a surface of the arm 360 or other movable portion of the at least one support 320) are also compatible with certain implementations described herein.

[0065] While FIGs. 3A-3C and 5A-5C schematically illustrate the apparatus 300 comprising a single support 320 with a single portion 322 holding a corresponding at least one MI antenna 310. In certain other implementations, the apparatus 300 comprises a plurality of supports 320 each having a corresponding portion 322 holding at least one MI antenna 310 and / or a single support 320 having a plurality of portions 322 each holding at least one MIantenna 310. The portions 322 can be positioned such that the MI antennas 310 are positioned around (e.g., along two or more sides) of the device 400.

[0066] FIGs. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate another example apparatus 300 in a first state and a second state, respectively, in accordance with certain implementations described herein. As shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B, the at least one support 320 is configured to adjust a position and / or orientation of the at least one coil 312. For example, the at least one support 320 can be configured to move the at least one MI antenna 310 between a first position (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) sufficiently close to the portion 405 for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna 310 and a second position (see, e.g., FIG. 3B) sufficiently distant from the portion 405 to not impede movement of the portion 405. The at least one coil driver 332 and the control circuitry 334 are not shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B. In certain implementations, the apparatus 300 can be considered to be analogous to a charging mat (e.g., pillow charger) without a cushion and that is held upside down above the portion 405 of the recipient’s body.

[0067] As schematically illustrated by FIGs. 6A and 6B, the at least one support 320 can comprise a substantially rigid element 390 (e.g., arm; shelf) movably connected to a stationary structure 382 (e.g., headboard of a bed). For example, the at least one support 320 can further comprise a hinge 384 that rotatably couples the element 390 to the stationary structure 382. The at least one coil 312 can be substantially planar and the at least one support 320 can be configured to be moved between a first state in which the at least one coil 312 is substantially horizontal (see, e.g., FIG. 6A) and a second state in which the at least one coil 312 is substantially vertical (see, e.g., FIG. 6B). The hinge 384 can comprise an actuator (e.g., motor) responsive to control signals from the control circuitry 334 such that rotation of the element 390 about the hinge 384 is controlled by the control circuitry 334. The control circuitry 334 can generate the control signals in response, at least in part, to sensor signals from the at least one sensor 370. For example, upon detecting that the recipient is lying down in the bed for a sleep session, the apparatus 300 can rotate the element 390 such that the at least one MI antenna 310 is in the first position for power transmission to the device 400 (see, e.g., FIG. 6A). Upon detecting that the device 400 is fully charged or that the recipient is moving (e.g., awake), the apparatus 300 can rotate the element 390 away from the portion 405 of the recipient’s body (see, e.g., FIG. 6B). In certain such implementations, the apparatus 300 is configured to inhibit (e.g., avoid; prevent) contact of the portion 405 of the recipient’s bodywith the at least one MI antenna 310, thereby inhibiting (e.g., avoiding; preventing) deleterious heating of the recipient’s tissue during power transmission and unwanted contact between the portion 405 and the element 390.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method 500 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. While the method 500 is described by referring to some of the structures of the example apparatus 300 of FIGs. 3A-3C, 5A-5C, and 6A-6B other apparatus and systems with other configurations of components can also be used to perform the method 500 in accordance with certain implementations described herein.

[0069] In an operational block 510, the method 500 comprises moving a bendable element (e.g., support 320) comprising a power transfer coil (e.g., coil 312 on an end portion 322 of the support 320) from a first configuration in which the power transfer coil is spaced from a recipient to a second configuration in which the power transfer coil is inductively coupled to a device (e.g., device 400) on or within the recipient (e.g., on or within the portion 405). For example, said moving the bendable element to the second configuration can comprise manually bending the bendable element by the recipient and / or automatically bending the bendable element by one or more actuators of the bendable element.

[0070] In an operational block 520, the method 500 further comprises wirelessly transmitting power from the power transfer coil to the device. For example, the device can comprise an implanted portion of an acoustic prosthesis system positioned within a head of the recipient (e.g., resting on a bed and / or pillow during a sleep session of the recipient).

[0071] In an operational block 530, the method 500 further comprises, after wirelessly transmitting the power from the power transfer coil to the device, moving the bendable element to the first configuration. For example, said moving the bendable element to the third configuration can comprise manually bending the bendable element by the recipient and / or automatically bending the bendable element by one or more actuators of the bendable element. In certain implementations, the third configuration equals (e.g., is the same as) the first configuration, while in certain other implementations, the third configuration differs from the first configuration.

[0072] In certain implementations, the method 500 further comprises, while wirelessly transmitting the power from the power transfer coil to the device, moving the bendable element to adjust a position and / or an orientation of the power transfer coil relativeto the device. For example, the bendable element can be moved to increase a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer from the power transfer coil to the device. In certain implementations, the method 500 further comprises generating information relevant to exposure of the recipient to electric and / or magnetic fields generated by the power transfer coil and, in response to the information, adjusting the position and / or orientation of the power transfer coil relative to the device such that the electric and / or magnetic fields comply with a predetermined medical safety regulatory standard for exposure of the recipient. For example, the information can comprise a distance of the power transfer coil from the device and / or the recipient and said generating the information and said adjusting the position and / or orientation can be performed automatically (e.g., by generating the information in response to receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor (e.g., sensor 370) and generating and transmitting control signals to the one or more actuators of the bendable element). In certain implementations, wirelessly transmitting the power and generating the information are performed using different timeslots. For example, the at least one sensor 370 can be activated in a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme with the at least one coil 312 to reduce (e.g., avoid) potential reduction of sensor sensitivity and / or accuracy caused by concurrent sensing and power transfer.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method 600 in accordance with certain implementations described herein. While the method 600 is described by referring to some of the structures of the example apparatus 300 of FIGs. 3A-3C, 5A-5C, and 6A-6B other apparatus and systems with other configurations of components can also be used to perform the method 600 in accordance with certain implementations described herein.

[0074] In an operational block 610, the method 600 comprises wirelessly transmitting power from a first power transfer coil (e.g., coil 312 on an end portion 322 of a support 320) to a device (e.g., device 400) on or within a recipient (e.g., on or within the portion 405) while the recipient is lying on a pad (e.g., cushion 302) in a first set of orientations in which the device is spaced from the pad. FIGs. 3A and 3C show examples of orientations of the first set of orientations.

[0075] In an operational block 620, the method 600 further comprises wirelessly transmitting power from a second power transfer coil (e.g., second coil 352) to the device while the recipient is in a second set of orientations in which the device is adjacent to the pad. FIG.3B shows an example of an orientation of the second set of orientations with the second power transfer coil within or underneath the pad. The method 600 can further comprise not wirelessly transmitting power from the first power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is not in the first set of orientations (e.g., while the recipient is in the second set of orientations) and not wirelessly transmitting power from the second power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is not in the second set of orientations (e.g., while the recipient is in the first set of orientations).

[0076] In certain implementations, the device is implanted within a head of the recipient, and the head is positioned between the first power transfer coil and the second power transfer coil while the recipient is in the first set of orientations and while the recipient is in the second set of orientations. For example, the device can comprise an implanted portion of an acoustic prosthesis system positioned within the head of the recipient and the recipient in the first set of orientations and in the second set of orientations can be resting on a bed and / or pillow during a sleep session of the recipient.

[0077] In certain implementations, the method 600 further comprises automatically moving the first power transfer coil to maintain a coupling coefficient between the first power transfer coil and the device to be substantially constant while the recipient moves among orientations in the first set of orientations. For example, said automatically moving the first power transfer coil can comprise receiving sensor signals (e.g., from sensor 370) indicative of a relative position and / or orientation of the first power transfer coil to the device as the recipient moves and, in response to the sensor signals, generating and transmitting control signals to one or more actuators configured to move the first power transfer coil. Moving the first power transfer coil can comprise automatically bending a bendable element (e.g., support 320) mechanically coupled to the first power transfer coil in response to sensor signals indicative of a relative position and / or orientation of the first power transfer coil to the device.

[0078] Although commonly used terms are used to describe the systems and methods of certain implementations for ease of understanding, these terms are used herein to have their broadest reasonable interpretations. Although various aspects of the disclosure are described with regard to illustrative examples and implementations, the disclosed examples and implementations should not be construed as limiting. Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or steps are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a nonexclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

[0079] It is to be appreciated that the implementations disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and may be combined with one another in various arrangements. In addition, although the disclosed methods and apparatuses have largely been described in the context of various devices, various implementations described herein can be incorporated in a variety of other suitable devices, methods, and contexts. More generally, as can be appreciated, certain implementations described herein can be used in a variety of implantable medical device contexts that can benefit from certain attributes described herein.

[0080] Language of degree, as used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially,” represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within ± 10% of, within ± 5% of, within ± 2% of, within ± 1% of, or within ± 0.1% of the stated amount. As another example, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by ± 10 degrees, by ± 5 degrees, by ± 2 degrees, by ± 1 degree, or by ± 0.1 degree, and the terms “generally perpendicular” and “substantially perpendicular” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly perpendicular by ± 10 degrees, by ± 5 degrees, by ± 2 degrees, by ± 1 degree, or by ± 0.1 degree. The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” less than,” “between,” and the likeincludes the number recited. As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “said” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “into” and “on,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0081] While the methods and systems are discussed herein in terms of elements labeled by ordinal adjectives (e.g., first, second, etc.), the ordinal adjective are used merely as labels to distinguish one element from another (e.g., one signal from another or one circuit from one another), and the ordinal adjective is not used to denote an order of these elements or of their use.

[0082] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific example implementations herein disclosed, since these implementations are intended as illustrations, and not limitations, of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent implementations are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in form and detail, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the claims. The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the example implementations disclosed herein but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one magnetic induction (MI) antenna comprising at least one electrically conductive coil configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device within or on a portion of a recipient’s body; and at least one support having a portion configured to hold the at least one MI antenna sufficiently close to the portion of the recipient’s body for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna to the device, the at least one support configured to adjust a position and / or orientation of the at least one coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one MI antenna comprises an electrically non-conductive housing configured to prevent the at least one coil from being positioned less than a predetermined distance from the recipient’s body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one support further comprises a base portion configured to be placed on and / or affixed to a stationary surface spaced from the recipient’s body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises a clamp configured to be reversibly affixed and removed from the stationary surface.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support is configured to move the at least one MI antenna between a first position and a second position, the first position sufficiently close to the portion of the recipient’s body for power transmission from the at least one MI antenna to the device, the second position sufficiently distant from the portion of the recipient’s body to not impede movement of the portion of the recipient’s body.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one support comprises an articulatable arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the arm comprises a flexible elongate portion configured to be bent and to remain rigid to maintain the position and / or orientation of the at least one coil.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the arm comprises two or more elongate portions and at least one hinge between and affixed to two elongate portions, the at least one hinge configured to controllably adjust an angle between the two elongate portions.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising: at least one coil driver in electrical communication with the at least one coil, the at least one coil driver configured to generate at least one electrical current to flow within the at least one coil; and control circuitry in operable communication with the at least one coil driver.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one support comprises an enclosure, the at least one coil driver at least partially within the enclosure and the control circuitry at least partially within the enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the portion of the at least one support comprises at least one sensor configured to generate at least one signal indicative of a distance and / or location of the portion of the at least one support relative to the device and / or the portion of the recipient’s body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to adjust the at least one electrical current in response to the at least one signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one actuator configured to automatically control the at least one support in response to the at least one signal to adjust the position and / or orientation of the at least one coil.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the at least one support comprises a light source visible to the recipient, the light source comprising a light generator and / or a light reflector.

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one coil is substantially planar and the at least one support is configured to be moved between a first state in which the at least one coil is substantially horizontal and a second state in which the at least one coil is substantially vertical.

16. An apparatus comprising: an elongate arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion mechanically coupled to a stationary location spaced from a portion of a recipient’s body, the second end portion movable between at least a first position in proximity to the portion of the recipient’s body and a second position spaced from the portion of the recipient’s body; andat least one electrically conductive coil mounted to the second end portion, the at least one coil configured to wirelessly transmit power to a device within or on the portion of the recipient’s body while the second end portion is in the first position.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end portion comprises a clamp affixed to the stationary location.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end portion comprises a hinge configured to rotate the elongate arm.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a housing at the stationary location, wherein the first end portion is affixed to the housing.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 19, further comprising: at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: distance sensor, human body detection sensor, thermal sensor, ultrasonic sensor, acoustic sensor, infrared sensor, optical sensor, camera, proximity sensor, impedance sensor, radio-frequency (RF) reflectometry sensor, UWB radar sensor, mm-wave radar sensor, capacitive sensor, radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor, near-field communication (NFC) sensor, power transfer sensor; at least one actuator mechanically coupled to the arm and responsive to control signals to move the second end portion between the first position and the second position; and control circuitry in operable communication with the at least one sensor and the at least one actuator, the control circuitry generating the control signals in response, at least in part, to sensor signals from the at least one sensor.

21. The use of an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20 in a sleep disorder system, a seizure system, a balance or movement disorder system, a tinnitus management system, or sensory prosthesis system.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the apparatus is a sleep disorder device, a seizure device, a balance or movement disorder device, a tinnitus management device, or sensory prosthesis device.

23. A method comprising: moving a bendable element comprising a power transfer coil from a first configuration in which the power transfer coil is spaced from a recipient to a second configuration in which the power transfer coil is inductively coupled to a device on or within the recipient; wirelessly transmitting power from the power transfer coil to the device; and after wirelessly transmitting the power from the power transfer coil to the device, moving the bendable element to a third configuration in which the power transfer coil is spaced from the recipient.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the third configuration differs from the first configuration.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the third configuration equals the first configuration.

26. The method of any of claims 23 to 25, further comprising, while wirelessly transmitting the power from the power transfer coil to the device, moving the bendable element to adjust a position and / or an orientation of the power transfer coil relative to the device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said moving the bendable element to adjust the position and / or the orientation of the power transfer coil relative to the device further comprises: generating information relevant to exposure of the recipient to electric and / or magnetic fields generated by the power transfer coil; and in response to the information, adjusting the position and / or orientation of the power transfer coil relative to the device such that the electric and / or magnetic fields comply with a predetermined medical safety regulatory standard for exposure of the recipient.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said generating information and said adjusting the position and / or orientation are performed automatically.

29. The method of claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the information comprises a distance of the power transfer coil from the device and / or the recipient.

30. The method of any of claims 23 to 29, wherein the device is implanted within a head of the recipient.

31. A method comprising: wirelessly transmitting power from a first power transfer coil to a device on or within a recipient while the recipient is lying on a pad in a first set of orientations in which the device is spaced from the pad; and wirelessly transmitting power from a second power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is in a second set of orientations in which the device is adjacent to the pad.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the device is implanted within a head of the recipient, the head is positioned between the first power transfer coil and the second power transfer coil while the recipient is in the first set of orientations and while the recipient is in the second set of orientations.

33. The method of claim 31 or claim 32, further comprising not wirelessly transmitting power from the first power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is in the second set of orientations and not wirelessly transmitting power from the second power transfer coil to the device while the recipient is in the first set of orientations.

34. The method of any of claims 31 to 33, further comprising automatically moving the first power transfer coil to maintain a coupling coefficient between the first power transfer coil and the device to be substantially constant while the recipient moves among orientations in the first set of orientations.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said automatically moving the first power transfer coil comprises: receiving sensor signals indicative of a relative position and / or orientation of the first power transfer coil to the device as the recipient moves; and in response to the sensor signals, generating and transmitting control signals to one or more actuators configured to move the first power transfer coil.

36. The method of any of claims 31 to 35, wherein the second power transfer coil is within or underneath the pad.

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