Microprocessor controlled class E driver

摘要

A charger including a class E power driver, a frequency-shift keying (“FSK”) module, and a processor. The processor can receive data relating to the operation of the class E power driver and can control the class E power driver based on the received data relating to the operation of the class E power driver. The processor can additionally control the FSK module to modulate the natural frequency of the class E power transformer to thereby allow the simultaneous recharging of an implantable device and the transmission of data to the implantable device. The processor can additionally compensate for propagation delays by adjusting switching times.

主权项

1. A portable charger device for transcutaneous charging of an implantable neurostimulator in a patient, the charger device comprising:
a housing having an external surface that is configured to at least partially engage a skin surface of the patient and be positioned at least partially over the implantable neurostimulator; a charging coil disposed within the housing, wherein the charging coil is configured to generate a magnetic field having a frequency and to magnetically couple with the implantable neurostimulator to recharge the implantable neurostimulator; a class E driver disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the charging coil, wherein the class E driver comprises:
a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit is switched by the application of a first voltage to the switching circuit;a current sensor positioned to sense a current passing through the charging coil;an FSK module configured to modulate the frequency of the magnetic field among at least three frequencies; and a processor disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the class E driver, wherein the processor is configured to receive data indicative of the current passing through the charging coil and control the switching circuit via the application of the first voltage to the switching circuit in response to the received data, wherein the processor is configured to selectively operate the charger in either a data non-transmitting state or in a data transmitting state, wherein a carrier signal has the first frequency when the charger operates in the data non-transmitting state, and wherein the processor controls the FSK module to modulate the carrier signal between the second frequency and the third frequency when the charger operates in the data transmitting state.