Patent Application
20220158488
The present disclosure relates generally to medical device holders for carrying an external power source on the human body for wireless energy transfer to an implanted medical device inside the body. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical device holders configured to carry an external transmitter coil on the body of a patient.
At least some known medical devices require a customized garment as an accessory to carry the device in part or whole. One such example is the field of implantable medical devices. Implantable medical devices typically require a power source able to supply adequate power percutaneously or transcutaneously for the reasonable lifetime of the device. When used chronically in some medical devices, a percutaneous power cable presents morbidity risk and reduced quality of life, prompting development of transcutaneous systems. A wireless power transfer system referred to as a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS) generally accomplishes energy transfer using two electromagnetically coupled coils arranged like a transformer. Power is transferred electromagnetically across the skin from an external transmitter coil to an implanted receiver coil.
Conventional TETS systems are relatively sensitive to variations in position and alignment of the coupled coils. In order to provide constant and adequate power, the two coils need to be physically close together and well aligned. Further, the preferential location at which the receiver coil is implanted may vary for each patient, and in some situations, may be potentially uncertain until after the receiver coil is surgically implanted. For example, although a sub-clavicular location may typically be used for pacemakers, an abdominal location may instead be preferred by or necessary for some patients. Accordingly, positioning the external transmitter coil relative to the implanted receiver coil is a critical factor that, to some extent, is determined by the accessory worn by the patient to carry the transmitter coil. Thus, a “one size for all” type of accessory, such as a shirt or gown with a feature designed to generically hold an external transmitter coil, may not be suitable for all patients with respect to accurately positioning the external transmitter coil.
Besides criticality of relative coil placement, there are numerous other disadvantages to a medical device manufacturer of providing a garment with an integrated coil holder for patients, such as, for example, maintaining multiple sizes and maintaining both male and female styles, thereby increasing inventory and cost; facilitating variations in patient fashion and style preferences and putting additional pressure on inventory; and accommodating changes in patient body habits and behavior, e.g., weight gain or loss. Moreover, the need for multiple garments (e.g., to allow washing or for replacing damaged garments) also creates unusual consumer relationships: the garment is critical in fitting properly to the patient, enabling activities of daily life, and enhancing quality of life; whereas the integrated coil holder is focused upon coil alignment.
The disclosed apparatus separates the holder from the garment such that the medical device manufacturer supplies only the holder that may be readily attached to a patient's garment of choice, averting the disadvantages of a holder integrated with a full garment.
In one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device holder for carrying an external coil is provided. The external coil includes a coil body and a wire. The holder includes a fabric panel including a plurality of segments and at least partially defining a cavity sized to receive the coil body. The holder includes a fastening mechanism provided on at least one segment of the plurality of segments on a back side of the fabric panel, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to engage a garment at a user selected position on the garment, and define an opening sized to receive the wire extending from the coil body.
In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a wireless power transmission device holder for carrying an external coil is provided. The external coil includes a coil body and a wire. The method includes providing a fabric panel comprising a plurality of segments and at least partially defining a cavity sized to receive the coil body. The method includes applying a fastening mechanism on at least one segment of the plurality of segments on a back side of the fabric panel. The method includes attaching the fabric panel to a garment at a user selected position on the garment by engaging the fastening mechanism on the at least one segment with the garment to form an opening sized to receive the wire extending from the coil body.
In a further embodiment, a wireless power transmission device holder system including an external coil and a wireless power transmission device holder is provided. The external coil includes a coil body and a wire extending from the coil body. The wireless power transmission device holder a fabric panel comprising a plurality of segments and at least partially defining a cavity sized to receive the coil body. The holder includes a fastening mechanism provided on at least one segment of the plurality of segments on a back side of the fabric panel, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to engage a garment at a user selected position on the garment, and define an opening sized to receive the wire extending from the coil body.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. It is understood that that Figures are not necessarily to scale.
The present disclosure relates generally to a medical device holder suitable for carrying an external component of a medical device on the body of a patient. In particular, the holder is suitable for positioning and holding a wireless power transmission device, such as an external transmitter coil, in proximity to an implanted receiver coil for optimal wireless energy transmission. The holder is configured to secure the external transmitter coil to a garment of the patient in a user selected position. The patient's garment may include, for example, a shirt, dress, vest, bra or sports bra or other undergarment, pants, or skirt, among others.
Referring now to the drawings,
In one embodiment, external coil 102 is communicatively coupled to a computing device (not shown), for example, via wired or wireless connection, such that external coil 102 may receive signals from and transmit signals to the computing device. In some embodiments, the computing device is a power source for external coil 102. In other embodiments, external coil 102 is coupled to an alternative power supply (not shown). In some embodiments, the computing device further includes a user interface (UI) (not shown) to present information to a user (e.g., patient 100). For example, the UI may display one or more representations designed to aid patient 100 in positioning wireless power transmission device holder 108 on a garment such that external coil 102 and implanted, or receiver, coil 104 are well aligned for optimal energy transmission.
Wireless power transmission device holder 108 is generally sized to cover coil body 202 and a portion of wire 204. In some embodiments, holder 108 is generally sized to cover only coil body 202. The size of holder 108 may vary based upon the size of external coil 102 and/or the non-stitch means used to attach holder 108 to a garment (as described below). External coil 102, in certain embodiments, may be about 0.5 inches thick, circular or at least partially rounded, and having a diameter of about 3.0 inches. Alternatively, thickness of external coil 102 may be less than 0.5 inches, e.g., in the range of about 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches, or greater than 0.5 inches. Likewise, external coil 102 may assume a different profile (i.e., non-circular or non-rounded) and have a various other dimensions suitable for a sufficient power transfer to implanted coil 104. Holder 108 may be formed from any suitable clothing material, such as, for example, canvas, polyester, cotton, or others.
As shown in
Holder 108 is formed by attaching panel 206 to a garment using a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism is a non-stitch means (e.g., a bonding agent), thereby enabling patient 100 to readily and easily select a position and place external coil 102 within the formed holder 108 for wireless energy transmission. With respect to panel 206,
As shown in
In one embodiment, panel 206 is preloaded with a fastening mechanism. In one example, back edge portions of panel 206 include a layer of fabric tape covered in a layer of protective film. In this example, patient 100 removes the protective film to securely attach panel 206 to a garment. The protective film may include a pull tab. In other embodiments, patient 100 directly applies the fastening mechanism to panel 206 to form holder 108. In one example, patient 100 applies fabric glue 402 to back edge portions to securely attach panel 206 to a garment.
As shown in
Buttons 602 may be no-sew buttons, such as, for example, tack buttons and/or snap buttons. One or more fasteners, including snaps and/or Velcro may be used to attach one or more panels 206 to a garment to form various embodiments of wireless power transmission device holder 108, as described herein. In other embodiments, panel 206 is a heat transfer vinyl (HTV) material, such as, for example, a polyurethane (PU) or poly vinyl chloride (PVC) material that can be ironed onto a patient's garment.
In some embodiments, holder 108 is removable. In these embodiments, panel 206 is removably attached to the patient's garment. In other embodiments, panel 206 is permanently attached to the patient's garment to form holder 108. In one example, fabric glue 402 is utilized to permanently attach panel 206 to a garment. In another example, fabric tape 302, tack buttons, and/or snap buttons are utilized to removably attach panel 206 to a garment.
In some embodiments, static electric charge (static electricity, static cling) is used to fix holder 108 to a garment. A relative charge may be formed between panel 206 and the garment, such as garments 702-710, for example, by rubbing together to create static attraction. Panel 206 is a non-woven synthetic material that holds static electric charge, such as polyester, nylon, and/or plastics. In these embodiments, the static electric charge produces a sufficient attachment to support the weight of external coil 102. After wireless power transmission is complete, holder 108 is removed from the garment by peeling panel 206 away from the garment.
The close-fit arrangement secures the positioning of external coil 102 by preventing plastic insert 800 from shifting within the cavity. Each plastic insert 800 includes snap fit protuberances 802 for securely coupling coil body 202 and wire 204 to plastic insert 800. As shown in
Each plastic insert 800 provides a specific location for positioning external coil 102 for wireless energy transmission. In
In one embodiment, after a medical device is implanted inside the body, patient 100 receives a discharge kit. The kit includes a set of plastic inserts 800 and a number of panels 206, such as, for example, five to ten panels 206. Additionally or alternatively, the kit may include panels 206 of varying sizes, shapes, materials, and/or colors as well as fastening mechanisms such as fasteners or bonding agents. Any of the different types of panels 206 and fastening mechanisms described herein may be provided in the kit. The kit includes instructions for making wireless power transmission device holder 108. In certain embodiments, the kit also includes instructions identifying suitable location(s) for positioning panel(s) 206 on a garment(s) of choice (e.g., a dress, vest, bra, pants, skirt, shirt) for optimal coil alignment.
While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure and the scope of the appended claims. Further, all directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/114,353 filed on Nov. 16, 2020 titled Wireless Power Transmission Device Holder and Method for Making the Same, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63114353 | Nov 2020 | US |
