US 8,644,933 B2
Techniques for controlling charging of batteries in an external charger and an implantable medical deviceGeneral
US 8,644,933 B2
Techniques for controlling charging of batteries in an external charger and an implantable medical device
Tech Center:
3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Medical Devices/Processes
Examiner:
Brian T Gedeon
Art Unit:
3766 Refrigeration, Vaporization, Ventilation, and Combustion
Inventors:
Robert Dai Ozawa; Rafael Carbunaru
Priority:
05/26/09
Filed:
05/29/12
Granted:
02/04/14
Expiration:
05/26/29
Abstract
Disclosed are charging algorithms implementable in an external charger for controlling the charging of both an external battery in the external charger and an implant battery in an implantable medical device. Because full-powered simultaneous charging of both batteries can generate excessive heat in the external charger, the various charging algorithms are designed to ensure that both batteries are ultimately charged, but in a manner considerate of heat generation. In some embodiments, the charging algorithms prevent simultaneous charging of both batteries by arbitrating which battery is given charging precedence at a given point in time. In other embodiments, the charging algorithms allow for simultaneous charging of both batteries, but with at least one of the batteries being only weakly charged at low power levels. In other embodiments, the temperature generated in the external charger is monitored and used to control the charging algorithm.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
H02H02J2310/23H02JA61N1/3787A61F2250/0001A61N