Enhanced wireless communication and power transfer between external and implanted devices
AssigneeNeuspera Medical Inc.
InventorsAlexander Yeh, Hui Zhang, Thomas Burpee Ellsworth, III
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are discussed herein for wirelessly transmitting power and/or data to an implanted device, such as an implanted electrostimulator device. In an example, the subject matter includes a layered transmitter device with multiple conductive planes and excitation features. The transmitter device can be tuned to identify and apply device parameters for efficient wireless communication with a deeply implanted device. The transmitter is generally configured for midfield powering applications by providing signals that give rise to propagating signals inside of body tissue.
Claims20
A method for enhancing wireless communication from an external midfield transmitter device to an implanted receiver device, wherein the midfield transmitter device includes at least two conductive regions and a stripline, the method comprising:
- providing an excitation signal to the stripline and, concurrently or in response, monitoring a signal transmission coupling characteristic between the midfield transmitter device and the implanted receiver device;
- and
- adjusting an electrical coupling characteristic between the conductive regions of the midfield transmitter device based on the signal transmission coupling characteristic.
An external midfield transmitter device configured to wirelessly communicate with an implanted receiver device, the external midfield transmitter device comprising:
- a processor circuit;
- an emitter comprising first and second conductive regions spaced apart from an electrically excitable stripline;
- a signal generator configured to provide a drive signal to the stripline;
- and
- a capacitor coupling the first and second conductive regions, wherein a capacitance of the capacitor is configured to change in response to a control signal from the processor circuit;
- wherein the processor circuit is configured to provide the control signal to change the capacitance of the capacitor based on a signal transmission coupling characteristic between the external midfield transmitter device and the implanted receiver device.
An external midfield transmitter device configured to wirelessly communicate with an implanted receiver device, the external midfield transmitter device comprising:
- a processor circuit;
- an emitter comprising a reference node, a first conductive region spaced apart from the reference node, and a second conductive region spaced apart from the reference node;
- a signal generator configured to provide respective drive signals to excitation structures that are proximal to the first and second conductive regions;
- a first adjustable capacitor coupling the reference node and the first conductive region;
- and
- a second adjustable capacitor coupling the reference node and the second conductive region;
- wherein the processor circuit is configured to change capacitance characteristics of the first and second adjustable capacitors based on a signal transmission efficiency characteristic between the external midfield transmitter device and an implanted receiver device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.