Solar-powered external charger and solar-powered external charger cradle for medical implantable device systems

摘要

Disclosed are an external charger including a solar cell array for charging or powering an implantable medical device (IMD), and a cradle including a solar cell array for charging or powering an external charger for charging or powering an implantable medical device. The disclosed improved external charger or improved cradle are particularly beneficial for charging a battery in an external charger used to charge or power an IMD when a power source is otherwise unavailable, such as a wall socket.

主权项

1. An external charger for providing power to an implantable medical device, comprising:
a housing containing a charging coil configured to produce a magnetic field to provide power to the implantable medical device; a battery within the housing configured to provide power to the charging coil for producing the magnetic field; a charge circuit within the housing configured to provide a charging current to the battery, wherein the charge circuit is powered at an input; a solar cell coupled to the housing and configured to produce a first voltage at the input through a first diode when exposed to illumination; and a node configured to provide the input a second voltage when connected to a power source, wherein neither the first voltage nor the second voltage are provided to the input through a switch.