Patent ID: 6321118
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
Transmitting apparatus usable for transmitting power to an implantable medical device that determines whether a power link has been established with the implantable medical device, comprising:an RF oscillator that generates an RF signal;a headpiece having a transmitting coil;a power amplifier that amplifies the RF signal to produce an RF power signal;an output power path that connects the RF power signal with the transmitting coil;a directional coupler connected in-line with the output power path between the power amplifier and the transmitting coil, the directional coupler having a reflected power port on which a reflected power signal appears having a magnitude proportional to reflected power present on the output power path; anda comparator circuit that compares the reflected power signal to a threshold reference signal and that generates a power link status signal as a function of whether the reflected power signal exceeds the threshold reference signal;wherein the power link status signal provides a LINK or NO-LINK indication of whether a power link is established with the implantable medical device.