Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device power source

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable medical device charging system, comprising:
 a remote housing having a power supply;   an inductor housing having a coil that is configured to draw energy from the power supply to generate a charging field for charging an implantable medical device; and   a cable configured to connect the remote housing to the inductor housing, wherein the remote housing is configured to be attachable to an article of clothing and wherein the inductor housing is configured to be attachable to a patient's skin.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote housing is attachable to a belt. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote housing comprises a user interface for controlling the implantable medical device charging system. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote housing and the cable comprise mating connectors that allow the cable and the inductor housing to be disconnected from the remote housing. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote housing comprises a clip to secure the remote housing to the article of clothing. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inductor housing is secured to an adhesive backing that is configured to attach the inductor housing to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 6 , wherein the inductor housing is positioned between the adhesive backing and a layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 6 , further comprising a release liner that is configured to be attached to the adhesive backing when the implantable medical device charging system is not in use. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inductor housing is secured to a suction cup that is configured to attach the inductor housing to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inductor housing further comprises one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         11 . An implantable medical device system, comprising:
 an implantable medical device configured to be implanted in a patient, wherein the implantable medical device comprises a rechargeable battery; and   a charging system for recharging the battery in the implantable medical device, the charging system comprising:
 a remote housing having a user interface for controlling the charging system, wherein the remote housing is configured to be attachable to an article of clothing; 
 an inductor housing having a coil that is configured to generate a charging field that transfers power from the power supply to the implantable medical device to recharge the battery, wherein the inductor housing is configured to be attachable to the patient's skin; and 
 a cable configured to connect the remote housing to the inductor housing. 
   
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the remote housing is attachable to a belt. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the remote housing and the cable comprise first mating connectors that allow the cable and the inductor housing to be disconnected from the remote housing. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 13 , wherein the inductor housing and the cable comprise second mating connectors that allow the cable to be disconnected from both the remote housing and the inductor housing. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the remote housing comprises a clip to secure the remote housing to the article of clothing. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the inductor housing is secured to an adhesive backing that is configured to attach the inductor housing to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 16 , wherein the inductor housing is positioned between the adhesive backing and a layer of adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 16 , further comprising a release liner that is configured to be attached to the adhesive backing when the charging system is not in use. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the inductor housing is secured to a suction cup that is configured to attach the inductor housing to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device system of  claim 11 , wherein the inductor housing further comprises one or more temperature sensors.