US 12,088,125 B2
Devices and methods for fine-tuning alignment of charging device with implanted medical device
Rinda Sama, Irvine, CA (US); and Faizal Abdeen, Mission Viejo, CA (US)
Assigned to Axonics, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Axonics, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/522,644.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/111,491, filed on Nov. 9, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0149671 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. H02J 50/90 (2016.01); A61N 1/372 (2006.01); A61N 1/378 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02J 50/10 (2016.01); H02J 50/80 (2016.01)
CPC H02J 50/90 (2016.02) [A61N 1/37223 (2013.01); A61N 1/37247 (2013.01); A61N 1/3787 (2013.01); H02J 7/0047 (2013.01); H02J 50/10 (2016.02); H02J 50/80 (2016.02)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for facilitating fine-tune alignment between an external charging device and an implantable medical device in a patient, the system comprising:
an external charging device having a charging coil disposed within a housing and configured to magnetically couple with a corresponding receiving coil of the implantable neurostimulator, wherein the external charger includes an antenna configured for communicating with one or more external devices, and a processor configured to control charging with the charging coil and monitor one or more charging parameters during charging, wherein the external charger comprises one or more indicators that are configured to indicate a first-order alignment of the charging device with the implantable medical device;
a portable user device of the patient, a clinician or a clinical specialist, the user device having a housing and further including:
an antennae for communicating with the external charging device and/or the implantable medical device;
a user interface; and
a processor operably coupled to the antennae and user interface, the processor being configured to:
establish communication with the external charging device;
receive a communication of the one or more charging parameters or an associated metric during charging;
determine a value corresponding to the charging metric or one or more charging parameters during charging and determine a target range and/or value for a desired second-order, fine-tuned alignment during charging; and
output an alignment indicator that corresponds to alignment between the external charging device and the implanted medical device via the user interface during charging to indicate the second order, fine-tuned alignment between the external charging device and the implanted medical device by manual adjustment, wherein the indicator is based on the one or more charging parameters or the associated metric.