Photovoltaic powered charging apparatus for implanted rechargeable batteries

A rechargeable power source comprising:

• a battery-powered device implanted within the head of a person, a battery connected to said battery-powered device and implanted within the head of said person, and a receiving coil connected to said battery for providing charging current to said battery, said receiving coil implanted in said head of said person;
• and
• a battery charging apparatus comprising:
• a head covering;
• and
• a charging unit located on said head covering, said charging unit comprising:
• at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on said head covering;
• and
• a sending coil mounted to said head covering for being aligned with said receiving coil, said sending coil electrically coupled to said at least one photovoltaic cell for inductively coupling power collected by said at least one photovoltaic cell to said receiving coil.

A method for recharging an implanted battery using a head covering having a charging unit located thereon, said charging unit comprising:

• a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on said head covering;
• and
• a sending coil mounted to said head covering for inductively coupling to an implanted receiving coil, said sending coil electrically coupled to said plurality of photovoltaic cells;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• disposing the head covering to align the sending coil with a location of the implanted receiving coil;
• exposing the head covering to light;
• coupling power generated by the plurality of photovoltaic cells from the sending coil to the receiving coil;
• and
• coupling current for recharging the implanted battery from the receiving coil to the implanted battery.

A combination for providing power to an implanted device, comprising

• a head cover;
• a sending coil mounted to said head cover for alignment with an implanted receiving coil;
• a plurality of photovoltaic cells on said head cover;
• a nonphotovoltaic cell on said head cover;
• means for receiving power from a source off of said head cover;
• and
• a charge controller on said head cover and connected to said sending coil, said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, and said means to select one of said plurality of photovoltaic cells, said nonphotovoltaic cell, or said means to provide a charging current for the sending coil.