Medical Tech

Listed technology’s have received patent and/or are currently in commercial use as of July,2011

Standalone Implantable Medical Power Module – Patent 7009362

Disclosed is a medically implantable integrated biocompatible power
module incorporating a power source (e.g., battery), a power management
circuit (PMC), a magnetically inductive coupling system (MICS) for
remote communication and/or inductive charging and a homing device for
locating the implanted inductive charging coil. Three configurations are
disclosed, each generally suitable for a specified range of energy capacities.
The implantable power module (IPM) allows for improved design flexibility for
medical devices since the power source may be located remotely and be
recharged safely in situ. Special safety aspects may be incorporated, including
endothermic phase change heat absorption material (HAM), emergency
energy disconnect and emergency energy drain circuits. Communication
(one or two way) may be carried out using the inductive charging link, a
separate inductive pathway, or other pathway such as RF or via light waves.
Homing devices and other means for precisely locating the IPM and/or MICS
are disclosed.

Inventors:Hisashi Tsukamoto; Pang Hoo Tan
Assignee:Quallion LLC
Primary Examiner:Tso; Edward H.
Assistance Examiner:
Attorney, Agent of firm:Gavrilovich, Dodd & Lindsey
Filed Date: 11/19/2003
Issue Date: 3/7/2006
US Patent Application: 10/718,927
Patent number: 7009362
Primary Class:Electricity: Battery Or Capacitor Charging Or
Discharging (320/107)
Other US Classes:
International Classes:H01M 10/44(20060101); H01M 10/46(20060101)

Inductive Charging System – Patent 7211986

An apparatus for inductive charging a battery. The apparatus includes a
housing with a lower surface and a charging surface. A rechargeable device
with a rechargeable battery may be placed on the charging surface. The
apparatus further includes a controller for driving an oscillator, wherein
the controller receives power from a power source. A first charger coil
and second charger coil are disposed within the housing and are coupled
to the oscillator. The first charger coil and second charger coil create a
substantially horizontal magnetic field in the volume of space above the
charging surface.

Inventors:Peter M. Flowerdew; David Huddart
Assignee:Plantronics, Inc.
Primary Examiner:Easthom; Karl
Assistance Examiner:Berhanu; Samuel
Attorney, Agent of firm:Chuang; Thomas
Filed Date: 7/1/2004
Issue Date: 5/1/2007
US Patent Application: 10/882,961
Patent number: 7211986
Primary Class:Electricity: Battery Or Capacitor Charging Or
Discharging (320/108)
Other US Classes:
International Classes:H02J 7/0(20060101)
Categories:Legal > Patents > Electricity
Tags:Inductive charging system, Flowerdew, et al., Peter M. Flowerdew,
David Huddart, Application number 10 882-961, Electricity: Battery
Or Capacitor Cha…, inductive charging, charging system, electric
vehicles, inductive charger, electric car, Wii Remote, charging systems,
wireless power, Rechargeable Batteries.

Cortically based visual neuroporsthesis systems

The Intelligent Retinal Implant System (IRIS):

The implantable Retinal Stimulator consists of a flexible plastic
film onto which various microelectronic components are mounted. The
electronics are used to receive the stimulation data and to generate
the electric pulses for stimulation. The microcontacts (miniaturized
electrodes) are used for stimulation. To bypass the degenerated part
of the retina, stimulation pulses are applied by the microcontacts directly
to the retinal ganglion cells which in turn pass the information via the
optic nerve to the central nervous system.

The Visual Interface looks externally like a pair ofsunglasses. Several
electronic components areintegrated into the glasses: a camera to
capture images as well as other components for data communication
with the Pocket Processor and the Retinal Stimulator. Furthermore, the
Visual Interface transfers the energy required by the implant / Retinal
Stimulator to the inside of the eye wirelessly. The pocket processor is
connected with the Visual Interface using a thin cable.

The Pocket Processor has the size of a walkman. Itcontains rechargeable
batteries which supply energy for the entire system (Pocket Processor,
Visual Interface and Retinal Stimulator). It also contains a micro-computer
that translates the image data from the Visual Interface into stimulation
commands for the Retinal Stimulator.

Depending on the preference of the user, the Pocket Processor can be
carried on a belt or a shoulder strap.

Retinal based visual neuroprosthetic:

Is an epiretinal approach where an electrode array will be placed on the
vitreal surface in an effort to stimulate ensembles of ganglion cells (or
possibly bipolar cells), and a subretinal approach where an electrode
array is intended to be implanted between the retina and the pigment
epithelium and extrinsic currents are intended to stimulate either remnant
photoreceptor inner segments, or bipolar cells.

Optic nerve based visual neuroprosthesis:

Phosphene generation via optic nerve stimulation. Implant with an
extracellular ‘cuff’ electrode that surrounds the optic nerve, and contains
four surface electrodes. Stimulation with various current levels through
different combinations of electrodes would evoke a variety of spatially
distributed phosphenes.

The Utah artificial vision system:

Consisting of a micro-video camera hidden in a pair of eyeglasses to
transform light in the visual scene into electrical signals, signal processing
electronics then converts these signals into patterns of electrical stimulation
for the brain as well as a power source carried in a shirt pocket, a totally
implanted multichannel stimulator with power and data to be delivered to
the implant system via a radio-frequency telemetry link, and an electrode
array with 625 microelectrodes.

****** Although not addressed in this paper, possible implementation of an
additional Implantable Medical Power Module and Inductive Charging System
may be applicable.

Fully Implantable Cochlear Implant System – Patent 6308101

A fully implantable cochlear implant system (170) and method includes an
implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) unit (212) that is connected to an
implantable speech processor (ISP) unit (210). Both the ISP unit and the
ICS unit reside in separate, hermetically-sealed, cases. The ICS unit has
a coil (220) permanently connected thereto through which magnetic or
inductive coupling may occur with a similar coil located externally during
recharging, programming, or externally-controlled modes of operation. The
ICS unit further has a cochlear electrode array (114) permanently connected
thereto via a first multi-conductor cable (116). The ICS unit 212 also has a
second multi-conductor cable (222) attached thereto, which second cable
contains no more than five conductors. The second cable is detachably
connected to the ISP unit via a connector (224) located on the case of the
ISP unit. The ISP unit includes an implantable subcutaneous microphone
(218) as an integral part thereof, and further includes ISP circuitry (214) and a replenishable power source (216), e.g., a rechargeable battery.

Inventors:Michael A. Faltys; Janusz A. Kuzma; John C. Gord
Assignee:Advanced Bionics Corporation
Primary Examiner:Getzow; Scott M.
Assistance Examiner:
Attorney, Agent of firm:Gold; Bryant R.
Filed Date: 9/24/1999
Issue Date: 10/23/2001
US Patent Application: 09/404,966
Patent number: 6308101
Primary Class:Surgery: Light,Thermal, And Electrical Application (607/57)
Other US Classes:
International Classes:A61N 1/375(20060101); A61N 1/378(20060101);
A61N 1/8(20060101); A61N 1/372(20060101); A61N 1/36(20060101); A61N 1/36(0)
Categories:Legal > Patents >
Medical: Surgery: Janusz A. Kuzma, John C. Gord,
Application number 09 404-966,
Surgery: LightThermal And Electrical.., Implantable medical device,
COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM, power source, secondary coil, primary coil,
cochlear implant, Patent Search, medical device, preferred embodiment, implantable device

Bone Conduction Microphone:

Throat Microphone with VOX/Bone conduction microphone (CNS-HZ-V):

Brand Name: CNS Model Number: CNS-HZ-V
Style: Gooseneck Microphone
Communication: Wired
Use: Military, Security, Law Enforcement
Place of Origin: Jiangsu China (Mainland)
Color: Black
Specifications: Bone conduction, High sensor on throat,
With voice control VOX

Bone conduction throat microphone.

CNS-HZ-V series model uses a high sensitive oscillation
pick-up to collect voice information, and send the
information to the ear canal; the vocal cord vibration
transforms the voice information into sound signal.

Does anyone see a theme here?