Efficient external charger for an implantable medical device optimized for fast charging and constrained by an implant power dissipation limit

摘要

An improved external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging the battery using such improved external charger, is disclosed. In one example, simulation data is used to model the power dissipation of the charging circuitry in the implant at varying levels of implant power. A power dissipation limit is chosen to constrain the charging circuitry from producing an inordinate amount of heat to the tissue surrounding the implant, and duty cycles are determined for the various levels of input intensities to ensure that the power limit is not exceeded. A maximum simulated average battery current determines the optimal (i.e., quickest) battery charging current, and at least an optimal value for a parameter indicative of that current, for example, the voltage across the battery charging circuitry, is determined and stored in the external charger. During charging, the actual value for that parameter is reported from the implant to the external charger, which in turn adjusts the intensity and/or duty cycle of the magnetic charging field consistent with the simulation to ensure that charging is as fast as possible, while still not exceeding the power dissipation limit.

主权项

1. A method for charging a battery in an implantable medical device, comprising:
generating a magnetic charging field using an external charger, the magnetic charging field for producing a battery charging current in the implantable medical device during a charging session; periodically measuring during the charging session a parameter in the implantable medical device; periodically telemetering during the charging session the parameter to the external charger; and periodically adjusting during the charging session in accordance with the parameter: (1) an intensity of the magnetic charging field to maximize an average battery charging current, and (2) a duty cycle of the magnetic charging field in accordance with a maximum power dissipation limit for the implantable medical device.