Extracorporeal implant controllers

Abstract

An implant includes tissue-contacting electrodes; at least one implant antenna configured to receive wireless power; and implant circuitry configured to use the received wireless power to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current. A hand-held controller includes: (i) one or more controller antennas, configured to transmit the wireless power, and to communicate with a consumer device; (ii) a battery configured to store battery power; and (iii) controller circuitry configured to: (a) use the battery power to drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit the wireless power, (b) identify a position of the controller with respect to the implant, and (c) drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit juxtaposition information to the consumer device about the position of the controller with respect to the implant.

1 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . Apparatus, for use with a consumer device that comprises a display, comprising:
 an implant comprising:
 one or more tissue-contacting electrodes; 
 at least one implant antenna configured to receive wireless power; and 
 implant circuitry configured to use the received wireless power to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current; and 
   a portable controller, comprising:
 one or more controller antennas, at least one of the controller antennas configured to transmit the wireless power, and at least one of the controller antennas configured to communicate with the consumer device; 
 a battery configured to store battery power; and 
 controller circuitry configured to:
 use the battery power to drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit the wireless power, 
 identify a position of the controller with respect to the implant, and 
 drive at least one of the controller antennas to transmit juxtaposition information to the consumer device about the position of the controller with respect to the implant. 
 
   
     
     
         75 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the consumer device is a cellphone, and the at least one controller antenna that is configured to communicate with the consumer device is a cellphone-interfacing antenna, configured to communicate with the cellphone. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the one or more controller antennas comprise a bifunctional antenna configured to transmit the wireless power and to communicate with the consumer device. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the one or more controller antennas comprise a first controller antenna configured to communicate with the consumer device, and a second controller antenna configured to transmit the wireless power, and not configured to communicate with the consumer device. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein:
 the implant circuitry is configured:
 to detect a juxtaposition of the controller with respect to the implant, at least in part responsively to the wireless power received by the at least one implant antenna, and 
 to transmit a signal including information about the juxtaposition, 
   the controller is configured to receive the signal, and   the controller circuitry is configured to identify the position of the controller with respect to the implant at least in part responsively to the received signal.   
     
     
         79 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the juxtaposition information to the consumer device independently of a cellular network. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus according to  claim 79 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the juxtaposition information to the consumer device via a Bluetooth connection. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus according to  claim 79 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the juxtaposition information to the consumer device via a Near Field Communication connection. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus according to  claim 79 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the juxtaposition information to the consumer device via a WiFi connection. 
     
     
         83 - 96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the hand-held controller has a longest period of power transmission with no user input, that is less than 10 min. 
     
     
         98 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the hand-held controller is incapable of powering the implant when a distance between (i) the at least one controller antenna that is configured to transmit the wireless power, and (ii) the implant antenna, is greater than 10 cm. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the portable controller has a mass of 10 -500 g and a volume of 25-250 cm̂3.