Phase change material as a dynamic heat sink for trancutaneous energy transmission systems

A transcutaneous energy transfer system for providing power to an implanted device, the system comprising:

• a strap having opposing first and second ends;
• an external charging device mounted on the first end of the strap, the external charging device having a primary induction coil and a surface configured to face the implanted device to provide energy from the primary induction coil to the implanted device;
• an enclosure in thermal communication with the external charging device, the enclosure configured to contain a phase change material as the phase change material transitions from a first phase to a second phase;
• a cooling system mounted on the second end of the strap, the cooling system having a reservoir configured to contain the phase change material in the first phase;
• and
• a tubing extending between the first and second ends of the strap, an interior lumen of the tubing fluidly communicating with the reservoir of the cooling system and the enclosure to allow a flow of the phase change material in the first phase from the reservoir to the enclosure.

A method of cooling an external charging device configured to be disposed on the skin of a human body, the method comprising:

• thermally engaging an exterior surface of the external charging device with an external surface of an enclosure containing a phase change material;
• cooling the external charging device as the phase change material transitions from a first phase to a second phase;
• and
• thermally disengaging the external charging device from the enclosure after receiving an indication that the phase change material is in the second phase.