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 . A charging appliance, comprising:
 an elongated shoulder drape having a first end and a second end, wherein the shoulder drape is configured to extend partially around a wearer's neck such that the first end drapes over a first shoulder of the wearer and the second end drapes over a second shoulder of the wearer,   a first pocket proximate to the first end, wherein the first pocket is configured to hold a first charger for a first implanted medical device (IMD), and   a second pocket proximate to the second end, wherein the second pocket is configured to hold a counterweight or a second charger for a second IMD.   
     
     
         2 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket comprises an opening configured to receive the first charger. 
     
     
         3 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the second pocket comprises an opening configured to receive the counterweight or the second charger. 
     
     
         4 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the second pocket does not comprise an opening and wherein the second pocket is configured to permanently hold the counterweight. 
     
     
         5 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the second pocket is configured to hold the second charger. 
     
     
         6 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the second pocket is configured to hold the counterweight. 
     
     
         7 . The charging appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder drape comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of fleece, micro-suede, and cloth. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 at least one charger configured to provide power to at least one implantable medical device (IMD), the at least one charger comprising a coil housing having a coil that is configured to generate a charging field that transfers power to the IMD; and   a charging appliance, comprising:
 an elongated shoulder drape having a first end and a second end, wherein the shoulder drape is configured to extend partially around a wearer's neck such that the first end drapes over a first shoulder of the wearer and the second end drapes over a second shoulder of the wearer, 
 a first pocket proximate to the first end, wherein the first pocket is configured to hold a first charger for a first IMD, and 
 a second pocket proximate to the second end, wherein the second pocket is configured to hold a counterweight or a second charger for a second IMD. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first pocket comprises an opening configured to receive the first charger. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second pocket comprises an opening configured to receive the counterweight. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second pocket does not comprise an opening and wherein the second pocket is configured to permanently hold the counterweight. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second pocket comprises an opening configured to receive the second charger. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the shoulder drape comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of fleece, micro-suede, and cloth. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system comprises two chargers and wherein the first pocket is configured to hold the first at least one charger and the second pocket is configured to hold the second at least one charger. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one charger comprises only the first charger and wherein the first pocket is configured to hold the first charger and the second pocket is configured to hold the counterweight. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one charger further comprises one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one charger further comprises a rechargeable power source. 
     
     
         18 . A method of charging at least one implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient's upper chest, the method comprising:
 providing at least one charger and a charging appliance, wherein,
 the at least one charger comprises a coil housing having a coil that is configured to generate a charging field that transfers power to the IMD; and 
 the charging appliance comprises:
 an elongated shoulder drape having a first end and a second end, wherein the shoulder drape is configured to extend partially around a wearer's neck such that the first end drapes over a first shoulder of the wearer and the second end drapes over a second shoulder of the wearer, 
 a first pocket proximate to the first end, wherein the first pocket is configured to hold a first charger for a first IMD, and 
 a second pocket proximate to the second end, wherein the second pocket is configured to hold a counterweight or a second charger for a second IMD; 
 
   inserting the first charger in the first pocket, and   donning, by the patient, of the shoulder drape so that the first charger is positioned near the patient's upper chest proximate to the first IMD.