Wireless medical device powering system

Disclosed herein is a wireless medical device powering system configured to power an untethered medical device including a first medical device having an induction receiving coil, the induction receiving coil in communication with each of one or more electrical systems and a first medical device console comprising one or more processors, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a plurality of logic modules. The system can include a wireless powering device configured to wirelessly provide power to the first medical device, the wireless powering device having a body including an induction transmitting coil.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of medical devices are incorporating electronic systems that may be configured to provide information including state of disease in a patient or location of the medical device in the patient to a clinician. These electronic systems must be powered by an energy source, including an external power source which can require the medical device to be tethered to the power source or a battery, which has a finite life span. Thus it would be beneficial to the clinician and the patient to be able to wirelessly provide energy to the medical device, allowing untethered medical devices to be used in procedures. Disclosed herein are a system and method that address the foregoing.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a wireless medical device powering system configured to power an untethered medical device including a first medical device having an induction receiving coil, the induction receiving coil in communication with each of one or more electrical systems and a first medical device console comprising one or more processors, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a plurality of logic modules. The system further including a wireless powering device configured to wirelessly provide power to the first medical device, the wireless powering device having a body including an induction transmitting coil.

In some embodiments, the induction receiving coil is configured to wirelessly receive power from the induction transmitting coil by inductive coupling.

In some embodiments, the first medical device includes a rechargeable energy source.

In some embodiments, the first medical device is selected from the group consisting of: a needle, an introducer, a catheter, a stylet, an obturator, a guidewire, a smart dressing, a port, a stent and a valve.

In some embodiments, the plurality of logic modules of the first medical device console is configured to perform one or more of tracking the status of the rechargeable energy source, activating the one or more electronic systems, transmitting data from the one or more electronic systems to the wireless powering device or a computing device, and transmitting the status of the rechargeable energy source to the wireless powering device or the computing device.

In some embodiments, the wireless powering device is coupled to a second medical device selected from the group consisting of: an ultrasound probe, a patch cable module, an EM sensor, an ECG module, a medical drill and a dedicated power source module.

In some embodiments, the one or more electronic systems is configured to acquire impedance measurements, perform tissue differentiation, perform vessel identification, perform vessel dimension and volume identification, perform ECG monitoring, perform timestamping, perform medical device identification, patency identification and monitoring.

In some embodiments, the wireless powering device includes a wireless powering device console having one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable medium having a plurality of logic modules.

In some embodiments, the plurality of logic modules of the wireless powering device console is configured to perform one or more of activating the wireless powering device, transmitting the wireless power from the induction transmitting coil to the induction receiving coil, determining the amount of power to wirelessly distribute to the first medical device, indicating the status of the wireless power transmission, and transmitting the status of the wireless power transmission to a computing device.

Also disclosed herein is a method of wirelessly providing power to a first medical device including configuring a wireless medical device powering system for power distribution, placing a wireless powering device of the wireless medical device powering system in proximity to the first medical device, and distributing power to the first medical device.

In some embodiments, the wireless medical device powering system includes the wireless powering device and the first medical device.

In some embodiments, the first medical device includes an induction receiving coil, one or more electronic systems, and a first medical device console having one or more processors, non-transitory computer readable medium and a plurality of logic modules.

In some embodiments, the wireless powering device includes an induction transmitting coil coupled to an energy source.

In some embodiments, the first medical device includes a rechargeable energy source.

In some embodiments, the wireless powering device is coupled to a second medical device.

In some embodiments, configuring includes coupling the wireless powering device to the second medical device.

In some embodiments, distributing power to the first medical device includes distributing power from the induction transmitting coil to the induction receiving coil by induction, inductive coupling or resonant inductive coupling.

In some embodiments, distributing power includes moving the wireless powering device over the first medical device.

In some embodiments, the first medical device includes a needle, an introducer, a catheter, a stylet, an obturator, a guidewire, a smart dressing, a port, a stent or a valve.

In some embodiments, the second medical device includes an ultrasound probe, a patch cable module, a magnet sensor, an EM sensor, an ECG module, or a medical drill.

In some embodiments, the first medical device includes one or more electrical systems configured to perform functions selected from the group consisting of impedance measurements, tissue differentiation, vessel identification, vessel dimension and volume identification, ECG monitoring, timestamping, medical device identification, patency identification, monitoring, and combinations thereof.

Also disclosed herein is a wireless medical device powering system, configured to power an untethered medical device, including a needle having an induction receiving coil, an impedance measuring device and an impedance measuring device console, the induction receiving coil in communication with each of the impedance measuring device, and the impedance measuring device console comprising one or more processors, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a plurality of logic modules, and a wireless powering device configured to wirelessly provide power to the induction receiving coil, the wireless powering device having a body including an induction transmitting coil, and being coupled to an ultrasound probe.

DESCRIPTION

With respect to “proximal,” a “proximal portion” or a “proximal-end portion” of, for example, a medical device disclosed herein includes a portion of the first medical device intended to be near a clinician when the first medical is used on a patient. Likewise, a “proximal length” of, for example, the first medical device includes a length of the first medical device intended to be near the clinician when the first medical device is used on the patient. A “proximal end” of, for example, the first medical device includes an end of the first medical device intended to be near the clinician when the first medical device is used on the patient. The proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the first medical device can include the proximal end of the first medical device; however, the proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the first medical device need not include the proximal end of the first medical device. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the first medical device is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the first medical device.

With respect to “distal,” a “distal portion” or a “distal-end portion” of, for example, a medical device disclosed herein includes a portion of the first medical device intended to be near or in a patient when the first medical device is used on the patient. Likewise, a “distal length” of, for example, the first medical device includes a length of the first medical device intended to be near or in the patient when the first medical device is used on the patient. A “distal end” of, for example, the first medical device includes an end of the first medical device intended to be near or in the patient when the first medical device is used on the patient. The distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the first medical device can include the distal end of the first medical device; however, the distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the first medical device need not include the distal end of the first medical device. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the first medical device is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the first medical device.

The term “computing device” should be construed as electronics with the data processing capability and/or a capability of connecting to any type of network, such as a public network (e.g., Internet), a private network (e.g., a wireless data telecommunication network, a local area network “LAN”, etc.), or a combination of networks. Examples of a computing device may include, but are not limited or restricted to, the following: a server, an endpoint device (e.g., a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a “wearable” device such as a smart watch, augmented or virtual reality viewer, or the like, a desktop computer, a netbook, a medical device, or any general-purpose or special-purpose, user-controlled electronic device), a mainframe, internet server, a router; or the like.

The term “logic” may be representative of hardware, firmware or software that is configured to perform one or more functions. As hardware, the term logic may refer to or include circuitry having data processing and/or storage functionality. Examples of such circuitry may include, but are not limited or restricted to a hardware processor (e.g., microprocessor, one or more processor cores, a digital signal processor, a programmable gate array, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit “ASIC”, etc.), a semiconductor memory, or combinatorial elements.

Additionally, or in the alternative, the term logic may refer to or include software such as one or more processes, one or more instances, Application Programming Interface(s) (API), subroutine(s), function(s), applet(s), servlet(s), routine(s), source code, object code, shared library/dynamic link library (dll), or even one or more instructions. This software may be stored in any type of a suitable non-transitory storage medium, or transitory storage medium (e.g., electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals such as carrier waves, infrared signals, or digital signals). Examples of a non-transitory storage medium may include, but are not limited or restricted to a programmable circuit; non-persistent storage such as volatile memory (e.g., any type of random access memory “RAM”); or persistent storage such as non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory “ROM”, power-backed RAM, flash memory, phase-change memory, etc.), a solid-state drive, hard disk drive, an optical disc drive, or a portable memory device. As firmware, the logic may be stored in persistent storage.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a wireless medical device powering system, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless medical device powering system (“system”)100includes a first untethered medical device (“medical device”)110and a wireless powering device130. As used herein, untethered includes a medical device that is physically unconnected from the wireless powering device130. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be configured to wirelessly transmit power to the first medical device110. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be configured to subsequently or simultaneously wirelessly transmit power to two or more medical devices. In some embodiments, the first medical device110includes an induction receiving coil114in communication with one or more electronic systems116thereon. In some embodiments, the first medical device110may include an implanted medical device (e.g., a catheter, a guidewire, a stent, a valve, a port), a medical device that sits on a skin surface (e.g., a dressing, a bandage), or a temporary implanted medical device (e.g., a needle, an introducer, a stylet, an obturator), or the like. In some embodiments, the induction receiving coil114and the one or more electronic systems116may be coupled to the first medical device110or contained within the first medical device110. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical systems116may include an impedance measuring system, a tissue differentiation system, an ECG monitoring system, a blood vessel dimension detecting system, a blood vessel volume identification system, a medical device identification system, a blood vessel identification system or the like.

In some embodiments, the system100includes a wireless powering device130, configured to wirelessly provide power to the first medical device110, that will be described in more detail herein. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may include an induction transmitting coil134. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be coupled to a second medical device. The second medical device may be configured to stay on or above a skin surface190of a patient. The first medical device110is untethered to the wireless powering device130but is in wireless communication with the wireless powering device130. The wireless powering device130may be configured to provide power to the first medical device110through induction or inductive coupling of the induction transmitting coil134to the induction receiving coil114. Advantageously, providing power to the first medical device110through induction or inductive coupling allows the first medical device110to include one or more electronic systems116thereon, quickly providing clinicians access to relevant medical data. In a preferred embodiment, the first medical device110includes a needle wherein the one or more electronic systems116include an impedance measuring device and the wireless powering device130is coupled to a second medical device, wherein the second medical device includes an ultrasound probe. In this embodiment, the wireless powering device130coupled to the ultrasound probe wirelessly transmits power to the induction receiving coil114configured to power the impedance measuring device116on the needle.

FIGS.2A-2Dillustrate perspective views of various embodiments of the first medical device110, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first medical device110may include a medical device body112, having the induction receiving coil114and the one or more electronic systems116thereon. In some embodiments, the first medical device110may be located on or below the skin surface190of the patient.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2A, the first medical device110may include a stent140, having a stent body142including the induction receiving coil114and an electrical system116thereon. The stent140may be configured to be inserted into a lumen146of a blood vessel144. The induction receiving coil114may receive and provide power to the electrical system116which may be configured to detect and measure the diameter of the blood vessel144, dimensions of the blood vessel144and measure blood flow. In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2B, the first medical device110may include a needle150having a needle hub152and having the induction receiving coil114thereon. The needle hub152may include the electrical system116with one or more sensors154coupled to the needle150. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors154may be configured to differentiate tissues or vessels during insertion. In some embodiments, the induction receiving coil114may be coupled to the needle hub152or incorporated into the needle hub152. For example, the induction receiving coil114and electrical system116may be embedded in the needle hub152as shown inFIG.2BandFIG.2E.

In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2C, the first medical device110may include a catheter160. As used herein a “catheter” can include a catheter, peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”), peripheral intravenous line (“Ply”), central venous catheter (“CVC”), midline catheter, or the like etc. In some embodiments, the catheter160may include a hub162, a catheter lumen164and one or more extension legs166. The catheter160may include the induction receiving coil114and the one or more electronic systems116thereon. In some embodiments, the induction receiving coil114may be located at a proximal end of the catheter150. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.2C, the induction receiving coil114may be coupled to the hub162, e.g., embedded in the hub162. In some embodiments, the electronic system116may be coupled to the hub162. In some embodiments, the electronic system116may include the one or more sensors154located proximally, distally or a combination thereof. The electronic system116and one or more sensors154may be configured to detect impedance measurements, identify and monitor patency within the catheter160or perform ECG monitoring. In an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2D, the first medical device110may include a bandage170. In this embodiment, the bandage170may include a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side includes an adhesive compound174thereon and an absorbent pad172. In this embodiment, the bandage170includes the induction receiving coil114on the top or bottom side. In this embodiment, the bandage170includes the one or more electronic systems116including the one or more sensors154. In this embodiment, the sensor154may be coupled to the absorbent pad172. The electronic system116and the sensor154may be configured to measure and detect various outcomes on the bandage170.

FIG.2Eillustrates some components of the first medical device110including a medical device console120, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first medical device110may be configured to include the first medical device console120. In some embodiments, the first medical device console120may be coupled to the one or more electronic systems116. In some embodiments, the first medical device console120may be coupled to an outside of the first medical device110or incorporated within the first medical device110. In some embodiments, the first medical device console120may include one or more processors122, non-transitory computer readable medium (“memory”)124including a plurality of logic modules. In some embodiments, the first medical device console120includes a rechargeable energy source125coupled to the induction receiving coil114and the one or more electronic systems116.

In some embodiments, the induction receiving coil114may be configured to recharge the rechargeable energy source125from the wireless power received by the wireless powering device130. In some embodiments, the plurality of logic modules may include one or more of: an energy source tracking logic126, an electronic system activation logic127and a medical device communications logic128. In some embodiments, the energy source tracking logic126may be configured to track the status of the rechargeable energy source125. In some embodiments, the status may include the capacity (e.g., 50% capacity, 10% capacity, 5% capacity) of the rechargeable energy source125. In some embodiments, the electronic system activation logic127may be configured to activate the one or more electronic systems116for their various functions as described above. In some embodiments, the first medical device communications logic128may be configured to transmit any acquired data from the one or more electronic systems116to the wireless powering device130or the computing device. In some embodiments, the first medical device communications logic128may be configured to transmit the status of the rechargeable energy source125to the wireless powering device130or a computing device. In the preferred embodiment, the needle may be configured to include an impedance measuring device console as described above.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of some components of the wireless powering device130in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may include a wireless powering device body131. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device body131may have a top side and a bottom side. The wireless powering device body131including an induction transmitting coil132configured to wirelessly transmit power to the induction receiving coil114. The wireless powering device130includes a wireless powering device console133thereon or therein. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device console133may include one or more processors134, an energy source184, non-transitory computer readable medium (“memory”)135and a plurality of logic modules. In some embodiments, the plurality of logic modules may include one or more of: a powering device activation logic136, a power distribution determination logic137, a status indicator logic138, a communications logic139. In some embodiments, the powering device activation logic136may be configured to activate the wireless powering device130and transmit the wireless power from the induction transmitting coil132.

In some embodiments, the wireless power distribution determination logic137may be configured to determine the amount of power needed for transmission. In some embodiments, the wireless power distribution determination logic137may be configured to transmit a predetermined or a user defined amount of power to the first medical device110. In some embodiments, the status indicator logic138may be configured to indicate the status of wireless power transmission from the induction transmitting coil132. In some embodiments, the communications logic139may be configured to transmit the status of the wireless power transmission from the induction transmitting coil132to a computing device. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may include a dedicated power source module (e.g., wand, remote, power pad) coupled to the induction transmitting coil134. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be configured to includes one or more magnets coupled to the induction transmitting coil132. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be coupled to a second medical device. In some embodiments, the second medical device includes an ultrasound probe, a patch cable module, a magnet sensor, an EM sensor, an ECG module, a medical drill or the like. In some embodiments, movement of the second medical device may be configured to generate the power transmitted from the induction transmitting coil132. The wireless powering device130may be in communication with a computing device or a display. The wireless powering device130may include a status indicator (e.g., an LED, a status bar icon or the like) configured to indicate to a user the status or time remaining left of the wireless power transmission

FIGS.4A-4Billustrate an exemplary method of wirelessly providing power to a medical device110using a wireless medical device powering system100, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.4A, the first medical device110may be implanted into a body of a patient or placed on a skin surface190of a patient. In some embodiments, the first medical device110and the wireless powering device130may be physically separate by a first distance192. In some embodiments, the first distance192may include one or more tissues including the skin surface190. As illustrated inFIG.4B, the wireless powering device130may be brought in proximity of the first medical device110. Proximity may include a second distance194that is smaller than the first distance192. The wireless powering device130may remain in the proximity of the first medical device110or may be removed from proximity to the first medical device110. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may be moved along the skin surface190, in proximity to the first medical device110.

FIG.5illustrates a flow chart of the exemplary method200of wirelessly providing power to the first medical device110, in accordance with some embodiments. The method202including configuring a wireless medical device powering system100including a wireless powering device130for power distribution to a first medical device110(block202). In some embodiments, the first medical device110and the wireless powering device130may be separated by a first distance192. In some embodiments, configuring includes coupling the wireless powering device130to a second medical device. In some embodiments, configuring includes activating the wireless powering device130. In some embodiments, the wireless powering device130may include the induction transmitting coil132. In some embodiments, the first medical device110includes the induction receiving coil114and the one or more electronic systems116thereon.

The method200includes placing the wireless powering device130in proximity to the first medical device110(block204). In some embodiments, in proximity includes the wireless powering device130in communication with the first medical device110. In some embodiments, in proximity includes the wireless powering device130and the first medical device110separated by a second distance194. The method200includes distributing power to the first medical device110(block206). In some embodiments, distributing power includes distributing power through induction, inductive coupling or resonant inductive coupling. In some embodiments, distributing power includes distributing power from the induction transmitting coil134of the wireless powering device130to the induction receiving coil114of the first medical device110. In some embodiments, distributing power includes distributing power until the rechargeable energy source125is completely recharged. In some embodiments, distributing power including distributing power to the first medical device110while the one or more electronic systems116are in use.