Patent ID: RE42682

Claim:
An RF coupled implantable medical system comprising: a transmitting unit; a receiving unit including an implantable, electrically operated, medical device, RF energy receiving means, RF signal transmitting means and a rechargeable battery; said transmitting unit including a power source, RF energy transmitting means, RF signal receiving means and first control means coupled to said RF energy transmitting means and to said RF signal receiving means for controlling the amount of RF energy transmitted to said receiving unit thereby to conserve on the amount of power obtained from said power source; and, second control means coupled to said RF energy receiving means, to said rechargeable battery, to said RF signal transmitting means and to said implantable medical device, for adjusting the charging current flowing into said rechargeable battery, as a function of (a) the charge level of said rechargeable battery, (b) selected charging rate, and (c) selected power supply for the implantable medical device.