EP0982784B1 - Battery pack for an implantable medical device - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply module (58) for an implantable device (54) has a biocompatible outer housing (80) which holds a repeatedly rechargeable electrochemical battery (90) that supplies electrical power to a main module (56) of the implantable device (54) via a coupling element (82). The outer housing is made as a hermetically tight protective housing or holds such a housing (88). The protective housing (88) has a detector element (92) which is designed or adjustable to actuate at least one switching element (94) which prevents recharging and/or discharging of the battery (90) when the battery is in an unallowable operating state. The coupling element (82) is preferably made detachable.

Description

The invention relates to a power supply module for an implantable device, wherein the power supply module one over a charging current feed arrangement rechargeable electrochemical battery that is a main module of the implantable device supplied with electrical energy via a coupling element and having a detector element, which is designed or adjustable in the event of an impermissible operating state of the Battery to actuate at least one switching element that reloads and / or discharges the Battery prevented, being in the charging current feed arrangement via one of the power supply module and the main module is separate and can be arranged outside the body Charging device energy can be fed, and wherein the charging current feed arrangement comprises at least one coil.

A power supply module of this type is known from US-A-4 082 097. Find it there is no further information regarding the arrangement of the coil of the charging current feed arrangement. However, reference is made to US-A-3 888 260, where the energy receiving coil a charging current feed arrangement within the outer housing of the implantable Device sits.

From DE 41 04 359 C2 an implantable device is known, which is a hearing aid or a tinnitus masker and which in one embodiment has a main module and a power supply module. Both modules are in each housed in a separate, biocompatible housing, with energy transfer from the power supply module to the main module via a coupling element with galvanic or galvanically isolated and inductively coupled connection. In the housing of the Power supply module can include a battery, charging electronics and a receiving resonance circuit be housed with a transmission resonance circuit one outside the Body attachable charger is inductively coupled. A major advantage The modular structure is that with the implantation site of the energy supply module is not bound to that of the main module. The power supply module can rather be implanted in a place on the body where there is sufficient space for Is available to use a battery with a relatively large electrical capacity. This applies to a coupling element, which is designed for a permanent connection, in same way as for a detachable coupling element. The latter also allows one Battery replacement without having to replace the entire system.

That disclosed in DE 41 04 359 C2, for a galvanically isolated and inductive Coupled, detachable connection trained coupling member comprises two coupling coils and a ferrite rod as a common core. One is the coupling coil Assigned energy supply module and is part of a series resonant circuit by the Battery powered via an oscillator, the second coupling coil acting as a receiving coil is connected to the main module via a flexible connecting cable. In the the receiving coil induced AC voltage is available via a rectifier Operation of the hearing aid available.

The German patent application DE 33 31 620 A1 describes a hermetically sealed Plug connection, which is a detachable galvanic connection from Electrode leads with an implantable pacemaker, a defibrilator or a cardio converter.

The publication DE 196 22 669 A1 deals with a contact arrangement for detachable electrical connection between one implant housing and another, in particular sensory and actuator components with which a high degree of miniaturization can be achieved.

A particular problem when using multiple rechargeable electrochemicals Batteries can be seen in the fact that it is, for example, with excessive charging or a Short circuit between the contacts or poles of the battery to one Pressure rise inside the battery case can result in deformation same leads, which can become so large that chemicals in particular emerge in gaseous form.

From EP-A-0 322 112, EP-A-0 360 395 and EP-A-0 370 634 it is known to provide electrochemical batteries with a switching element which, when exceeded a certain limit tolerance of the battery housing that is still tolerated electrical connection contact from an associated electrochemically active electrode preferably irreversibly separates to further deform the battery case to prevent. The battery housing includes an electrically conductive face closed cylindrical housing section that contacts an electrode is, the plate-shaped switching element is centered by means of a electrically insulating adhesive is attached from the outside. That too, electrically In its basic position, conductive switching element forms an electrical one over its outer edge Connection between the housing section and that in the center of the Switching organ arranged outwardly projecting electrical connection contact. When the pressure inside the battery housing increases, it bulges out as a detector element acting end face of the housing section to the outside, whereby the contact between the housing section and the outer edge of the switching element and thus between the an electrode and the connection contact is interrupted. As a typical area of application such switching devices are called standard batteries of the type "D". The curvature of the front, from which the switching element interrupts the electrical contact, in this case is 0.76 mm to 1.8 mm. With a curvature of more than 1.8 mm is usually associated with chemical leakage from inside the battery case to calculate.

EP-A-0 470 726 discloses an electrochemical battery with a cylindrical one Battery housing and a pressure membrane as a detector element, which is in the front of the battery housing is integrated and changes in pressure inside the battery housing bulges, whereby a plate-shaped, centrally connected to the pressure membrane Switching element an electrical contact between an electrode and a connection contact the battery reversibly or irreversibly interrupts.

From EP-A-0 674 351 an electrochemical battery is known, the battery housing comprises a cutting device actuatable by a pressure membrane, which at Exceeding a limit pressure inside the battery case an electrical Irreversibly severed conductor, which connects the battery with a contact electrochemically active electrode connects.

Even when using a switching element, which is exceeded when a certain Pressure inside the battery case the electrical connection between one Interrupts the contact and the associated electrochemically active electrode, it is possible that the pressure will continue to rise and ultimately lead to an escape of Chemicals come from the battery housing or it explodes. For this Reason has been proposed (for example in EP-A-0 364 995, EP-A-0 573 998 or EP-A-0 739 047), an integrated in the battery housing, the To provide switching element actuating pressure membrane with a bursting area over which after activation of the switching element and further pressure rise chemicals from the Can leak inside the battery case.

The safety measures listed in the above prior art for electrochemical batteries are for use with a power supply module an implantable device is not sufficient or unsuitable because for this particularly high demands, especially with regard to security and reliability with the greatest possible reduction of all dimensions, must be fulfilled.

The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the object of an energy supply module for an implantable device to create which is a hazard of the implant carrier in the event of a malfunction of the battery, for example due to Contamination with toxic substances, excludes and the specific requirements on implantable devices.

• das Energieversorgungsmodul ein die Batterie aufnehmendes biokompatibles Außengehäuse umfasst, das als hermetisch gasdichtes Schutzgehäuse ausgebildet ist oder ein solches aufnimmt;
• das Außengehäuse des Energieversorgungsmoduls als von dem das Hauptmodul aufnehmenden Hauptmodulgehäuse gesondertes Gehäuse ausgebildet ist;
• das Schutzgehäuse das Detektororgan aufweist;. und
• die Spule der Ladestromeinspeiseanordnung von einem biokompatiblen Polymer umgeben und an einer Außenseite des Hauptmodulgehäuses oder des Außen- oder Schutzgehäuses festgelegt ist.

This object is achieved in a power supply module with the features of the preamble of claim 1 in that

• the energy supply module comprises a biocompatible outer housing which receives the battery and which is designed as a hermetically gas-tight protective housing or accommodates one;
• the outer housing of the power supply module is designed as a housing separate from the main module housing receiving the main module;
• the protective housing has the detector element; and
• the coil of the charging current feed arrangement is surrounded by a biocompatible polymer and is fixed on an outside of the main module housing or the outer or protective housing.

The implantable device can in principle be any one implantable medical or biological device act, among others an active, electronic hearing implant, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a drug donor, a nerve or bone growth stimulator, one Neurostimulator, a pain suppressor, or the like.

By designing the outer housing as a hermetically sealed protective housing or accommodates such a thing, the battery is always hermetically sealed in a housing added, and it is possible to use a conventional battery, for example a ordinary button cell to use, without having to choose materials or the like special attention is to be paid. Chemicals leaking from inside the battery case are securely held back in the hermetically sealed protective housing can also be designed to be explosion-proof.

If the biocompatible outer housing accommodates a hermetically sealed protective housing, which in turn encloses the battery does not need the protective housing itself to be biocompatible so that there is greater freedom in the choice of materials and optimization exists.

In the present case, hermetic tightness is preferably hermetic gas tightness understood according to Mil-Std 883 D. This design ensures that at Use of a hermetically sealed protective housing, which itself is in one hermetically sealed and also biocompatible outer housing is housed next to no liquids can escape from the protective housing can. Such battery gases generally occur in small quantities even when used as intended Normal operation of the battery enclosed by the protective housing. The hermetic gas tightness of the protective housing poses a risk to one Electronics housed in the outer housing outside the protective housing prevented; this means that the electronic circuits, especially integrated ones Circuits, can remain unprotected, since contamination by even the smallest Amounts of escaping battery gases are not possible.

Energy can be drawn from the charging device located outside the body electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in the charging current feed arrangement be transferred. A suitable design of a charging current feed arrangement with receiver coil and a charging device with inductively coupled Transmitting coil is shown in the already mentioned DE 41 04 359 C2.

In the on an outside of the main module housing or alternatively on one Outside of the outer or the protective housing fixed coil, for example Made of pure gold, gold alloys, platinum, platinum iridium, niobium, tantalum or others metallic materials that are biocompatible and resistant to body fluid energy can be fed in with a high degree of efficiency without having to do so Manufacturing-intensive metal-ceramic composite housing is necessary. The same applies to an optionally provided energy radiation by one which can also be used as a transmission coil Coil or an additional, also from the biocompatible polymer surrounded transmitter coil, with which, for example, information of a bidirectional Telemetry circuit on the relative position of the coil of the power supply module to the transmitter coil of the charging device and / or the state of charge of the battery can be exchanged transcutaneously. The implanted part of the telemetry circuit can be integrated in both the main and energy supply modules.

The biocompatible polymer, preferably silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polymethane, parylene or the like can, on the one hand, increase the mechanical Cohesion of the coil itself, on the other hand for mechanical connection of the Serve the coil on the corresponding housing.

An impermissible operating state of the battery, in which it is next to an expansion the housing of the battery also to prevent chemical leakage can act from the battery housing, which leads to an increase in pressure in the protective housing or leads in the outer housing designed as a protective housing is from Detector organ preferably answered with a change in shape, which is directly mechanical and / or actuation of the at least one via evaluation electronics Switching device causes a further recharge and / or discharge of the battery prevented.

The at least one switching element can in principle be designed to be reversible or irreversible and can be housed or integrated in the outer or protective housing. Further is conceivable to place at least one switching element in the housing of the main module Switching element can be designed as an opener, which is designed or adjustable at an inadmissible operating state of the battery a recharge and / or discharge current to interrupt electrically. A recharge and / or discharge of the battery leaves prevent themselves further by a switching element designed as a make contact, which is designed or is adjustable, in the event of an impermissible operating state of the battery short-circuit electrically in order to specifically discharge them. Alternatively, the closer electrically short-circuit a recharging circuit in order to supply further energy To interrupt the battery.

Detector and switching elements suitable for use in the present invention are in EP-A-0 981 173 described. A preferred embodiment for an im Protective housing integrated detector and switching element is below in the description of the figures explained in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

As already mentioned, the coupling element for the transmission of electrical energy can principally be non-detachable or detachable and a galvanic or alternative enable a galvanically isolated and inductive connection. An unsolvable connection is characterized by particularly high reliability. The detachable, galvanic separate and inductive connection has the advantage that there is no galvanic Connection between the power supply module and the main module gives that must be sealed against the ingress of body fluid. A DC-free energy transmission, be it using the detachable or non-detachable galvanically or galvanically isolated connection, generally reduces the Danger of ion migration in the same direction in an insulator for a long time between places of different electrical voltage, which happens gradually after the electrical conductivity of the insulator increases and leads to leakage currents.

The combination of main module and power supply module can be particularly great make compact if one of the half assigned to the power supply module Coupling element integrated in the outer or protective housing and a complementary half of the coupling element assigned to the main module in a housing of the main module is integrated.

There is greater freedom in the placement of the energy supply module, if a half of the coupling element assigned to the energy supply module also has electrically connected to the power supply module via a flexible connecting cable is. Additionally or alternatively, a half assigned to the main module can also be used of the coupling element with the main module electrically via a flexible connecting line be connected.

The charging or discharging electronics take the outer or the protective housing of the energy supply module to control the recharging and / or discharging of the battery on and If the coupling element is detachable, the energy supply module can be replaced against such with a changed battery type also the charging / discharging electronics change and adapt to the respective battery type. The charging / discharging electronics can, however, also be accommodated in the housing of the main module.

The charging current feed arrangement can be in the outer or in the protective housing of the Power supply module or alternatively in the housing of the main module accommodate.

Will the coil of the charging current feed arrangement towards the largest dimension of the main module or the outer or protective housing on the side next to the same places and forms a straight line in this direction with a perpendicular an angle to the coil axis in the range of 5 ° to 25 ° results in a unit of coil and corresponding housing, which are particularly suitable for implantation on the Outside of the human skull, especially in the area of the planum Mastoid is suitable, e.g. with at least partially implantable hearing aids, Tinnitus maskers or retinal stimulators is the case and already in the German one Patent application 198 29 637.1 has been described.

Is the coil on the main module or on the outer or protective housing, in particular by means of the biocompatible polymer, flexibly defined, the unit can be made Geometrically adapt the coil and housing to the implantation site particularly well.

In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, at least one switching element designed in the event of an impermissible operating state of the battery by the detector element to be operated mechanically, and is integrated in the outer or protective housing. The Switching device is thus operated and works without non-mechanical intermediate elements very reliable. The detector element can be designed as a curved membrane and part of the protective housing. For example, an outer or partition of the hermetically sealed protective housing at least partially designed as a detector element, what a space-saving construction and a well predictable Change in shape of the detector element in an impermissible operating state of the Battery, such as an increase in pressure in the protective housing allowed.

In particular, if two or more switching elements are redundant, can at least one switching element electrically from one that monitors the detector element Evaluation electronics can be actuated. The evaluation electronics can be used, for example detect a change in shape of the detector organ, the latter in the event of an impermissible Operating state of the battery is stamped. An electric one is advantageous Strain gauge used, which records the change in shape of the detector element and with change of an electrical quantity, which is monitored by the evaluation electronics will answer. Is the electrical strain gauge a passive one System, it can change the shape of the detector organ into a change in its electrical resistance (strain gauge), its inductance or its Convert capacity. Alternatively, an active electrical strain gauge can be used who, e.g. a piezo element, with a charge change on a reacts on the strain gauge applied by the detector element.

The evaluation electronics can be accommodated in the outer or protective housing. Alternatively, the main module can also include the evaluation electronics. In the latter The case is the coupling element and a flexible connection line that may be present advantageously designed such that between the main module and the Energy supply module in addition to the energy - also a signal transmission can be carried out is.

It is understood that the power supply module also one or more of the Main module connectable secondary module (s) can supply with electrical energy, which can be actuator and / or sensory components.

Below are advantageous embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt durch ein hermetisch dichtes, biokompatibles Schutzgehäuse mit mehrfach nachladbarer elektrochemischer Batterie und Dektektor- sowie Schaltorgan;

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Schnitt durch eine implantierbare Vorrichtung mit einem Haupt- und einem Energieversorgungsmodul sowie Nebenmodulen, wobei das Energieversorgungsmodul lösbar und starr an das Hauptmodul angekoppelt ist;

Fig. 3

einen schematischen Schnitt durch eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform des Haupt- und Energieversorgungsmoduls;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Energieversorgungsmoduls mit einer Spule einer Ladestromeinspeiseanordnung, die in einem eigenen Gehäuseteil untergebracht ist;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der Linie V-V des Energieversorgungsmoduls gemäß Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung im Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform einer implantierbaren Vorrichtung an deren Hauptmodul das Energieversorgungsmodul über eine flexible Anschlußleitung angekoppelt ist;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung im Schnitt durch eine weitere implantierbare Vorrichtung mit flexibel angekoppeltem Energieversorgungsmodul, wobei die Spule der Ladestromeinspeiseanordnung dem Hauptmodul zugeordnet und in einem eigenen Gehäuseteil untergebracht ist;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 3, wobei das Energieversorgungsmodul über eine flexible Anschlußleitung mit galvanisch trennendem Koppelorgan das Haupt- und die Nebenmodule mit Energie versorgt.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic section through a hermetically sealed, biocompatible protective housing with multi-rechargeable electrochemical battery and detector and switching element;

Fig. 2

a schematic section through an implantable device with a main and a power supply module and secondary modules, the power supply module being detachably and rigidly coupled to the main module;

Fig. 3

a schematic section through a modified embodiment of the main and power supply module;

Fig. 4

is a schematic sectional view of a power supply module with a coil of a charging current feed arrangement, which is housed in its own housing part;

Fig. 5

a sectional view taken along line VV of the power supply module of FIG. 4;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation in section through a further embodiment of an implantable device to the main module of which the power supply module is coupled via a flexible connecting line;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation in section through a further implantable device with a flexibly coupled power supply module, the coil of the charging current feed arrangement being assigned to the main module and being accommodated in a separate housing part;

Fig. 8

a schematic representation similar to FIG. 3, wherein the power supply module supplies the main and the secondary modules with energy via a flexible connecting line with a galvanically isolating coupling element.

1 shows a protective housing 10 for a multi-rechargeable electrochemical Battery 12, which is a conventional button cell. The protective housing 10 has a one-piece bottom 14 made of an electrically conductive material and will completed by a likewise electrically conductive cover 16, with between an insulating ring 18 made of oxide ceramic is soldered to the cover 16 and the base 14. The insulating ring 18, whose inner diameter is smaller than that of the cylindrical Side wall of the bottom 14, electrically isolated from each other on its underside a membrane 20 and on its top a contact membrane 22. Both Membranes 20 and 22 are made of electrically conductive material, the Contact membrane 22 with its top opposite to that arranged adjacent Cover 16 is electrically insulated by means of an insulating layer 24 and via a Metallization 26, a via 28 and a solder layer 30 on the electrical Potential of the bottom 14 is set. The battery 12 is from the bottom 14, the bottom the insulating ring 18 and the membrane 20 hermetically sealed, and you positive pole (the battery poles are marked by + and - in Fig. 1) is over an end face 32 contacts the inner base of the bottom 14. A feather 34 is between a shoulder of the battery 12 and the transition area between the insulating ring 18 and the side wall of the bottom 14 and is used for centering as well as play-free contact of the end face 32 of the battery 12 on the base area of the bottom 14. The spring 34 is simultaneously in electrical contact with the side wall the bottom 14, the solder layer 30 and the positive pole of the battery 12, the extends into the area of the shoulder on which the spring 34 abuts. The negative The pole of the battery 12 is via an end face 36 of the battery 12 and via an optional one Spring 38 contacted with the underside of the membrane 20. A metallization 40 on the underside of the insulating ring 18, a via 42 through the insulating ring 18 and a solder layer 44 close the electrical connection between the Membrane 20 and the cover 16, of which the negative pole of the battery 12 via a Port 46 is tapped. A connector 48 on the outer side wall of the floor 14 serves to tap the positive pole of the battery 12. The two connections 46, 48 are surrounded by a biocompatible insulating jacket 50; a biocompatible Polymer 52, for example silicone, envelops the protective housing 10 and the housing-side Ends of terminals 46, 48.

So while the membrane 20 is connected to the negative pole of the battery 12 is that of the membrane 20 in one of the thickness of the insulating ring 18th appropriate distance contact membrane 22 with the positive pole of the Battery 12 contacted. This distance is dimensioned so that an inadmissible Operating state of the battery 12, especially when the volume expands Battery 12 and / or in the event of leakage of battery gases, which leads to an increase in pressure inside the protective housing 10, the membrane acting as a detector organ 20 a curvature is impressed that is sufficient with the contact membrane 22 in electrical to reach conductive contact, so that the battery 12 is electrically short-circuited becomes.

A portion of the solder joint 44 can be dimensioned as a fuse, which irreversibly burns out if a recharge or discharge current exceeds a predetermined one Limit exceeds without the contact membrane 22 from the membrane 20th is contacted. Another supply and delivery of energy via connections 46, 48 is prevented.

1, the combination of membrane is used 20 and contact membrane 22 as a reversible switching element, which as Closer is formed and is operated mechanically by the detector member 20. The Entire unit shown in FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a power supply module with a biocompatible, hermetically sealed outer housing, whereby the Outer housing is designed as a protective housing and a detector and a Switching device includes.

2, an implantable device 54 comprises a main module 56, a Energy supply module 58 and, as secondary modules, a sensor and one actuator components 60 and 70, respectively. The secondary modules 60 and 70 are each over a flexible connecting line 62 and a coupling element designated as a whole by 64 electrically and mechanically connected to the main module. The coupling member 64 has a first half 66 assigned to the main module 56 and one with the first Half 66 releasably coupled secondary module-side second half 68 into which the flexible Connection line 62 opens. It is understood that all in the figures by a simple line simplifies rendered lines depending on the components that they connect, can in principle be designed with one or more poles. The same applies to coupling elements and cable bushings through housings or housing parts.

A main module housing 72 of the main module 56 accommodates signal processing electronics 74, a charging / discharging electronics 76 and a charging current feed arrangement 78 hermetically sealed with a coil and is made of a biocompatible material, of sufficient flooding of the coil with electromagnetic fields a charging coil arranged outside the body. The function of the signal processing electronics 74 is of the implantable type Device dependent. It controls the actuator component 70 after a saved one Program depending on the signals of the sensory component 60 and is connected to the two components via the coupling elements 64, the first halves 66 are hermetically sealed in the main module housing 72. The Charge / discharge electronics 76 form a node between the signal processing electronics 74, the charging current feed arrangement 78 and a rechargeable electrochemical battery 90 and serves to distribute energy between these components.

A coupling member 82 with a first, hermetically sealed in the main module housing 72 integrated half 84 and a second half 86, which is a biocompatible outer housing 80 of the energy supply module 58 hermetically seals a detachable, rigid mechanical connection of the power supply module 58 to the Main module 56. At the same time, coupling element 82 serves as a detachable, galvanic one Contacting the battery 90 with the charging / discharging electronics 76, which at one in the Inside of the main module housing 72 facing inside of the first half 84 this is connected. In the current path between the second half 86 of the coupling element 82 and the battery 90, which are accommodated in a hermetically sealed protective housing 88 there is a switching element 94 designed as an opener, which is on the protective housing 88 is fixed and mechanically by a detector element 92, for example an archable membrane in an outer or partition wall of the protective housing 88, is actuated when the detector element 92 is in an impermissible operating state Battery 90 is deformed.

It is conceivable to use the protective housing 10 instead of the protective housing 88 then, however, does not need to be biocompatible, since this function is from the outer housing 80 is taken over. In this case, the switching element 94 would be a normally open contact the battery 90 electrically shorts when it is in an impermissible operating state and interrupts further supply and delivery of energy to and from the battery 90.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIG. 2 in essential only in that the charging / reloading electronics 76 and Charge current feed arrangement 78 not in the main module housing 72, but in the Outer housing 80 of the power supply module 58 are housed. to An evaluation electronics 96 is provided to increase operational safety The state of the detector organ 92 is monitored and, depending on this, an opener configured switching element 98 electrically operated, which in the current path between the Charging current feed arrangement 78 and the charging / discharging electronics 76 is placed. The The state of deformation of the detector element 92 is determined, for example, via a electrical strain gauges detected. If a specified one is exceeded The change in the limit shape of the detector element 92 interrupts the switching element 98 further energy supply from the charging current feed arrangement 78 independently of the Function of the switching element 94, so that there is redundancy.

A power supply module 100 is illustrated and distinguished in FIGS. 4 and 5 mainly from the power supply module 58 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 by placing a coil 106 in its own housing part made of biocompatible Polymer 104. Coil 106 is part of the charging current feed arrangement 78, which still other components, such as a capacitor to build a Resonant circuit, may contain, which are not shown. The coil 106, which is The biocompatible polymer 104 can also be used for several individual coils encapsulated, which also the mechanical fastening of the coil 106 serves a side wall of an outer housing 102, the side wall being perpendicular to a straight line extending in the direction of the greatest extent of the outer housing 102 110 lies. Forms a straight line perpendicular to the axis 112 of the coil 106 with the straight line 110 an angle α in the range of 5 ° to 25 °, preferably in Range from 7 ° to 15 °. A hermetically sealed passage is in the outer housing 102 108 integrated, which is in the current path between the coil 106 with the switching element 98 located. With regard to special versions of implementation 108, see the previously mentioned, under the title "Protection device for a multiple rechargeable electrochemical battery "filed by the applicant directed.

By accommodating the coil 106 outside of the outer housing 102 in one The outer casing 102 can be polymer-coated except for the areas in which the bushing 108 and the second half 86 of the coupling element 82 are integrated, perform purely metallic, especially in titanium. On a metal-ceramic composite housing, which is used a lot in comparison to the metallic case a higher efficiency of energy feed into the coil 106 without To achieve inadmissible heating of the housing by eddy currents can, as already was mentioned in the general description part, are waived.

The fixing of the coil 106 to the outer housing 102 by the polymer 104 can be done relatively rigidly. However, it is also possible to consciously make the mechanical connection to be flexible, for example by the polymer coating of the coil on the the side facing the outer housing 102 tapers like a tab and only the tab is cast onto the outer housing 102.

It is understood that, instead of the outer housing 102 and side unit arranged coil 106 to bend, also a kinked coupling member 82 between the main module housing 72 and the outer housing 102 can be used.

By arranging the coil 106 laterally next to the outer housing 102 and the casing with the biocompatible polymer 104, the arrangement has a special one high permeability for electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in Flow direction of the coil, i.e. substantially in the direction of axis 112 of the Coil 106. Depending on the choice of materials for the outer housing 102 and frequency of However, it can - in particular - for the field used to transfer energy into the coil 106 to minimize space requirements - it may also be useful to have the spool on one Top of the outer housing 102 and thus in the direction of flow on the one Place the coil facing the side of the outer housing 102.

Furthermore, the coil can also be completely and mechanically detached from the outer housing 102 provided with a flexible connecting line and, if necessary, a coupling element to be independent of the outer housing 102 at a suitable location in the body to be implanted.

A modified embodiment of an implantable device 114 has how 6 illustrates a main module 116 whose main module housing 118 is adjacent the components of the main module already described in connection with FIG. 2 56 also receives the evaluation electronics 96 and the switching element 98. An energy supply module 126 has a hermetically sealed outer housing, which is designed as a biocompatible protective housing 128, so that on a additional outer housing can be dispensed with. One as a whole with 120 designated coupling element is used for the electrical connection of the energy supply module 126 to the main module 116 and is hermetically sealed in two bringable parts divided, a first half 122 into the main module housing 118 hermetically sealed and a second half 124 via a flexible one Connection line is connected to the power supply module 126. The Connection line includes in addition to an energy line 125 for the energy supply of the Main module 116 and the secondary modules 60, 70 from the battery 90 also a signal line 127, that of the evaluation electronics housed in the main module housing 118 96 permits monitoring of the detector element 92.

A main module 130 of an implantable device according to FIG. 7 differs of the main module 116 of FIG. 6 essentially only in that the coil 106 as part of the charging current feed assembly 78 outside of a main module housing 132 arranged and hermetically sealed in a side wall of the main module housing tightly received bushing 108 electrically connected to the switching element 98 is. The coil 106 is encapsulated with the biocompatible polymer 104 and on one Sidewall of the main module housing 132 set perpendicular to one in Direction of the greatest extent of the Huaptmodulgehäuses 132 extending Straight. The coil 106 can be connected to the main module housing 132 in a similar manner form a unit bent at least in one direction by the angle α, like this this is the case with the outer housing 102 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The first halves 66 are two coupling elements 64, as is the first half 122 of the coupling element 120 integrated in the main module housing 132 in a side wall opposite to that, to which the coil 106 is connected.

Fig. 8 shows an implantable device, which differs from that of Fig. 3 in essentially only by the type of coupling of an energy supply module 142 to a main module 134. This takes place by means of a coupling element 138, which is designed for a galvanically isolated and inductive connection. The Coupling member 138 is preferably detachable and works according to the previously described principle of energy transfer between two known from DE 41 04 359 C2 Coupling coils through resonance coupling. The energy stored in the battery 90 is converted into an alternating oscillation by means of an oscillator 146, via which Feedthrough 108 in an outer wall of a modified outer housing 144 and a flexible connecting line 140 into a first coupling coil of the coupling element 138 fed, whereby in a second coupling coil of coupling element 138 a AC voltage is induced. This is via a second flexible connection line 140, a hermetically sealed in an outer wall of a main module housing 136 Implementation 108 and a rectifier, not shown, for operating the Signal processing electronics 74 available. It is understood that the power supply module 142 can be modified so that the coil 106th the energy feed arrangement 78 is arranged outside the outer housing 144 and can be encapsulated by the biocompatible polymer 104.

As shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7 shows the outer and the protective housing of the energy supply module in addition to the detector element 92 and the at least a switching element 94 at least the battery 90. However, it may be useful especially in the outer housing, if this is provided in addition to the protective housing is to assign further components that functionally to the power supply module are to integrate. These include, for example, the charging / discharging electronics 76, the charging current feed arrangement 78, the evaluation electronics 96 and additional ones Switching elements 98. This results in a preferably detachably coupled, independent power supply module, which monitors itself and protective functions which is active when the battery 90 is in an impermissible operating state become. The information about an impermissible operating state of the battery can be communicated to the implant carrier via a warning device. It is the implantable device around a hearing aid, the information can be directly feed into the signal path of the actuator component. It can also have a Transmitter coil transmitted to the charging device located outside the body become.

Claims (20)

1. Battery pack for an implantable device (54, 114), wherein the battery pack (58, 100, 126, 142) has an electrochemical battery (12, 90) capable of being recharged more than once via a charging current supply device (78) and supplying a main unit (56, 116, 130, 134) of the implantable device (54, 114) with electricity via a coupling element (82, 120, 138), and a detector element (20, 92), which is wired or can be set to actuate, if the battery (12, 90) is in an unauthorised operating state, at least one switching element (20, 22, 94, 98), which prevents recharging and/or discharging of the battery (12, 90), wherein power can be supplied to the charging current supply device (78) via a charging device separate from the battery pack (58, 100, 126, 142) and the main unit (56, 116, 130, 134) and capable of being disposed outside the body, and wherein the charging current supply device (78) comprises at least one coil (106), characterised in that

   the battery pack (58, 100, 126, 142) comprises a biocompatible outer housing (80, 102, 128, 144) which holds the battery (12, 90) and which is formed as or holds a hermetically gas-tight protective housing (10, 88, 128);

   the outer housing (80, 102, 128, 144) of the battery pack is formed as a housing which is separate from the main unit housing (72, 118, 132, 136) holding the main unit (56, 116, 130, 134);

   the protective housing (10, 88, 128) comprises the detector element (20, 92); and

   the coil (106) of the charging current supply device (78) is surrounded by a biocompatible polymer (104) and is fixed to an outer face of the main unit housing (132) or of the outer or protective housing.
2. Battery pack according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling element (82, 120) is formed for a galvanic connection.
3. Battery pack according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling element (138) is formed for a galvanically separate and inductive connection.
4. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling element (82, 120, 138) is formed for a detachable connection.
5. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one half (86) of the coupling element (82) allocated to the battery pack (58, 100) is incorporated in the outer (80, 102) or protective housing.
6. Battery pack according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that one half (124) of the coupling element (120, 138) allocated to the battery pack (126, 142) is electrically connected to the battery pack (126, 142) via a flexible connecting line (125, 127, 140).
7. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one half (84, 122) of the coupling element (82, 120) allocated to the main unit (56, 116, 130) is incorporated in a housing (72, 118, 132) of the main unit (56, 116, 130).
8. Battery pack according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that one half of the coupling element (138) allocated to the main unit (134) is electrically connected to the main unit (134) via a flexible connecting line (140).
9. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer (80, 102, 144) or protective housing of the battery pack (58, 100, 142) holds an electronic charging/discharging device (76) for controlling the recharging and/or discharging of the battery (90).
10. Battery pack according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the main unit (56, 116, 130) comprises an electronic charging/discharging device (76) for controlling the recharging and/or discharging of the battery (90).
11. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer (80, 144) or protective housing of the battery pack (58, 142) holds the charging current supply device (78).
12. Battery pack according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a housing (72, 118) of the main unit (56, 116) holds the charging current supply device (78).
13. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving coil (106) is placed in the direction of the largest dimension of the main unit (132) or of the outer (102) or protective housing laterally adjacent thereto, and in that a straight line (110) extending in this direction forms with a line perpendicular to the coil axis (112) an angle (α) in the range of 5° to 25°.
14. Battery pack according to claim 13, characterised in that the receiving coil (106) is flexibly fixed to the main unit (132) or to the outer (102) or protective housing, in particular by means of the biocompatible polymer (104).
15. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one switching element (20, 22, 94) is wired to be mechanically actuated in the case of an unauthorised operating state of the battery (12, 90) by the detector element (20, 92) and in that it is incorporated in the outer or protective housing (10, 88, 128).
16. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one switching element (98) is electrically actuatable by an electronic evaluating device (96) monitoring the detector element (92).
17. Battery pack according to claim 16, characterised in that the electronic evaluating device (96) is held by the outer (80, 102, 144) or protective housing.
18. Battery pack according to claim 16, characterised in that the main unit (116, 130) comprises the electronic evaluating device (96).
19. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling element (120) and an optional flexible connecting line (125, 127) is/are so formed that in addition to a power supply it is possible to execute signal transmission.
20. Battery pack according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the battery pack (58, 100, 126, 142) also supplies electrical power to one or more subsidiary unit(s) (60, 70) connectable to the main unit (56, 116, 130, 134).

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