A method, implantable medical system and an external system for communicating an alert signal via a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS), with or without the presence of transmission of the alert signal by an alternative wireless communication system, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in an implanted medical system includes obtaining the alert signal based on an occurrence of an event, and transmitting the alert signal from the implanted medical device to the external system via a TETS used to transfer power requests to the external system.

An implantable medical device comprises a housing, a circuit board structure arranged within in the housing and comprising at least one flexible section, an electronic module comprising at least one electronic component arranged on the circuit board structure, and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for operation of the implantable medical device. The energy storage device is a solid-state battery mounted on the circuit board structure. An energy generation device connected to the energy storage device is a secondary cell, wherein the energy generation device is configured to convert patient energy to electrical energy for charging the energy storage device.

Wirelessly powered implantable pulse generators (IPG) are described. In an embodiment, a wirelessly powered stimulator, includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG), including: an Rx antenna that receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from an external Tx antenna; a rectifier; an energy storage capacitor C.sub.STOR, where the RF signal coupled to the Rx antenna is rectified by the rectifier to generate VDD and charges the C.sub.STOR; a demodulator; an output voltage regulator that generates a stable voltage to activate the demodulator; and where the demodulator outputs a stimulation that releases the energy stored in the C.sub.STOR on an electrode based on detecting amplitude modulation in the received RF signal; and a Tx antenna that generates the RF signal that wirelessly powers the IPG and that controls timing of output stimulations of the IPG, where amplitude modulation is applied to the RF signal to control the timing of the output stimulations.

The present invention describes a system that uses ultrasonic waves to transfer energy and data, enabling for the control and recharging of a cardiac assist device. Data and energy transfer are accomplished using pulsed ultrasonic waves. The use of ultrasonic waves allows for wireless transcutaneous energy transfer to power the cardiac assist device pump in absence of a driveline, reducing complications associated with driveline infections and improving patient quality of life.

Provided is a medical apparatus for a patient comprising an external system and an implantable system. The external system can be configured to transmit one or more transmission signals, each transmission signal comprising at least power or data. The implantable system can be configured to receive the one or more transmission signals from the external system. The external system comprises a first external device comprising at least one external antenna configured to transmit a first transmission signal to the implantable system. The implantable system comprises a first implantable device comprising at least one implantable antenna configured to receive the first transmission signal from the first external device. At least one of the external antenna or implantable antenna comprises an antenna assembly comprising: at least one transmitting/receiving antenna; and at least one shielding element positioned between the at least one transmitting/receiving antenna and an interfering component.

A method of initiating operation of an external unit for a medical system further comprising an internal unit implanted into a body of a patient; a transformer core arranged under the skin of the patient; and internal cabling connecting the internal unit and the transformer core, the internal cabling comprising an internal winding around the transformer core, wherein the external unit comprises external cabling including an external winding around the transformer core to allow supply of power from the external unit to the internal unit via the transformer core, the method comprising the steps of: evaluating, by the external unit, a signal indicative of a magnetic flux in the transformer core; when the signal indicates that the magnetic flux in the transformer core is below a predefined threshold flux, providing power to the internal unit by the external unit via the transformer core.

A sound processor comprises one or more electrical signal outputs configured to generate a plurality of electrical signals. The plurality of electrical signals are generated in specific tuned audio frequency bands in respective audio channels, in response to sound information received at the sound processor in the specific tuned audio frequency bands. The sound processor further comprises a transmitter coupled to the one or more electrical signal outputs for transmission of the plurality of electrical signals. The transmitter is configured to transmit the electrical signal in the respective audio channel over a separate respective transcutaneous communication link.

Certain embodiments described herein related to methods, devices, and systems that provide improved communications between first and second IMDs remotely located relative to one another and capable of communicating using both conductive communication and RF communication. Such a method can include the first IMD using conductive communication to transmit message(s) intended for the second IMD, without using RF communication, during a first period of time that a first trigger event is not detected. The method can also include the first IMD detecting the first trigger event, and in response thereto, the first IMD using RF communication to transmit message(s) intended for the second IMD during a second period of time. Thereafter, in response to first IMD detecting a second trigger event, the first IMD uses conductive communication to transmit one or more messages intended for the second IMD, without using RF communication, during a third period of time.

An apparatus for transmitting power wirelessly using capacitive coupling, provided in a wearable device, includes: a transmission electrode including a plurality of unit electrode pairs, each unit electrode pair being formed by a transmission signal electrode and a transmission ground electrode; and a control module configured to select a unit electrode pair, forming capacitive coupling with the reception electrode, among the plurality of unit electrode pairs provided in the reception electrode, to wirelessly transmit power to a reception electrode included in an implantable device.

Techniques for placing implantable electrodes to treat sleep apnea, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes percutaneously implanting one or more signal delivery devices, each at or near a respective target signal delivery location in a patient. Each signal delivery device can include one or more electrodes, and individual ones of the electrodes can be positioned to produce a net positive protrusive motor response of the patient's tongue. The representative method further includes providing power to one or more of the electrodes from a wearable power source to cause the electrode(s) to deliver an electrical signal to the respective target signal delivery location(s) to produce the net positive protrusive motor response.