Transcutaneous energy transfer systems
The present disclosure relates to an improved transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system that generates and wirelessly transmits a sufficient amount of energy to power one or more implanted devices, including a heart pump, while maintaining the system's efficiency, safety, and overall convenience of use. The disclosure further relates one or more methods of operation for the improved system.
1. A driver for a wireless energy transfer system disposed within an external housing having a cover and a base, the driver comprising:
a printed circuit board including a first connection point and a second connection point proximate the first connection point;
a primary coil having a primary axis and a primary conductor extending in a spiral around the primary axis, the primary conductor having an inner end and an outer end disposed substantially on a common radial line of the primary axis, the inner end including a portion bending toward and being coupled to the first connection point and the outer end including a portion bending toward and being coupled to the second connection point;
a shield including a first annular disc and a second annular disc disposed between the printed circuit board and the primary coil; and
a drive circuit disposed within the external housing and extending transverse to the primary axis, the drive circuit electrically connected to the inner and outer ends of the primary coil, and operative to drive the primary coil.
2. The driver as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive circuit is disposed generally axially from the primary conductor, and the inner and outer ends of the primary conductor extend generally axially from the primary conductor towards the drive circuit.
3. The driver as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive circuit comprises the printed board circuit including one or more capacitors disposed on the printed board circuit and connected to form a resonant circuit with the primary coil.
4. A wireless energy transfer system comprising:
an external housing having a cover and a base;
a printed circuit board disposed within the external housing, the printed circuit board including a first connection point and a second connection point proximate the first connection point;
a driver disposed within the external housing, the driver including:
a primary coil having a primary axis and a primary conductor extending in a spiral around the primary axis, the primary conductor having an inner end and an outer end disposed substantially on a common radial line of the primary axis, the inner end including a portion bending toward and being coupled to the first connection point and the outer end including a portion bending toward and being coupled to the second connection point; and
a drive circuit disposed within the external housing and extending transverse to the primary axis, the drive circuit electrically connected to the inner and outer ends of the primary coil, and operative to drive the primary coil;
a shield including a first annular disc and a second annular disc disposed between the printed circuit board and the primary coil;
a secondary coil configured to be in communication with the primary coil, the secondary coil having a secondary axis defined by an implantable coil housing and a secondary conductor extending in a spiral around the secondary axis; and
a power-consuming device electrically connected to the secondary coil.
5. The wireless energy transfer system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the secondary conductor has inner and outer ends disposed substantially on a common radial line perpendicular to the secondary axis.
6. The wireless energy transfer system as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the implantable coil housing having a biocompatible exterior surface, the implantable coil housing containing the secondary coil and having front and rear sides, a front side of the secondary coil facing toward the front side of the implantable coil housing, the implantable coil housing having one or more visually-perceptible indicia differentiating the front and rear sides of the implantable coil housing.