초록 ▼

The method and system for managing power supplied from a charging circuit to a power source in an implantable medical device comprises the steps of and circuitry for: measuring the current drain of the medical device; measuring the elapsed time since the last full charge of a power source of the dev

The method and system for managing power supplied from a charging circuit to a power source in an implantable medical device comprises the steps of and circuitry for: measuring the current drain of the medical device; measuring the elapsed time since the last full charge of a power source of the device; calculating the actual capacity of the power source (corrected for fade) based on the variable of current drain and the variable of elapsed time; calculating the operating time based on the variable of current drain and the variable of the actual capacity of the power source; measuring the voltage of the power source; signaling the medical device when the power source voltage has reached a certain low value which requires disconnection from the power source; disconnecting, during discharging, the power source from the medical device upon the power source reaching a certain low voltage in order to prevent deep discharging of the power source and subsequent damage; precisely limiting the charging voltage to the power source in order to prevent overcharging beyond safe limits; disconnecting, during charging, the power source from the charging circuit upon the power source reaching a certain high voltage in order to prevent overcharging of the power source and subsequent damage; sensing when the electromagnetic waves being transmitted by an RF transmitter/charger induce a voltage level above a certain value at an RF receiver of the implanted power management system; reconnecting power supply inputs of the medical device to the power source upon sensing this induced high voltage level; monitoring the temperature of the power source during charging and discharging; disconnecting the charging circuitry from the power source if the temperature of the power source raises above a certain level during charging; reconnecting the charging circuitry to the power source when the temperature of the power source drops below a certain low value during charging; disconnecting the implanted medical device from the power source if the temperature of the power source raises above a certain level during discharging; and, reconnecting the medical device to the power source when the temperature of the power source drops below a certain low value during discharging.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for managing power supplied from a charging circuit to a power source in an implantable medical device comprising the steps of:(1) measuring and recording, each charge/discharge cycle of the power source, to obtain the corrected capacity of the power source in

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for managing power supplied from a charging circuit to a power source in an implantable medical device comprising the steps of:(1) measuring and recording, each charge/discharge cycle of the power source, to obtain the corrected capacity of the power source in order to calculate and display, upon interrogation, the remaining operating time of the implanted device;(2) providing within the implanted device circuitry for disconnecting the power source for preventing deep-discharging of the power source below safe limits upon reaching a pre-selected low voltage;(3) providing circuitry for using variable constant current charge rates;(4) providing circuitry for switching to constant voltage to top-off the power source at the completion of the charge cycle, in order to prevent overcharging beyond safe limits;(5) providing circuitry for disconnecting the charging circuit from the power source within the implanted device upon the power source reaching a preselected high voltage level; and,(6) providing circuitry for full-time RF powered operation, in case of failure of the internal power source or for operation of the implanted medical device requiring extremely high power consumption instead of being powered from the internal power source of the implanted device.