EP-4558044-B1 - AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE AND A CHARGING MODULE FOR POWERING THE SAME

Inventors

• PANDIT, Hemant
• FREEAR, STEVEN
• VAN DUREN, Bernard Hendrik
• KELMERS, Edgars

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20230719

Claims (5)

1. A charging module (100) for powering an implantable device (10) having a Bluetooth Low Energy module configured to transmit a measured data in a data packet comprising the measured data and a localization parameter of the device (10), the charging module (100) comprising: a receiver unit configured to receive the data packet; a charging coil (205) configured to generate a magnetic field for wirelessly transferring power to a rechargeable battery of the implantable device (10), and a controller (115) operatively coupled to the charging coil (205) and the receiver unit, characterised in that the controller (115) is configured to operate the charging coil (205) according to a first transmission scheme, wherein the controller (115) is configured to adapt the first transmission scheme based on a localization parameter to provide a second transmission scheme, and wherein the controller (115) is configured to operate the charging coil (205) according to the second transmission scheme.
2. A charging module (100) according to claim 1, wherein the charging coil is embedded within a fabric layer (210).
3. A charging module (100) according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a plurality of charging coils (205A-205D), wherein a first coil of the plurality of charging coils is arranged in a first plane, and a second charging coil of the plurality of charging coils is arranged in a second plane, wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
4. A method of wirelessly powering an implantable device (10) having a Bluetooth Low Energy communications unit using a charging module (100), wherein the charging module (100) is configured to power the implantable device (10) according to a first transmission scheme using one or more charging coils (205), the method comprising: receiving a data packet comprising a localization parameter of the implantable device (10), the data packet being received by a charging module (100) from a Bluetooth Low Energy communications unit of the implantable device (10), adapting the first transmission scheme to a second transmission scheme based on the localization parameter, and operating the charging module (100) according to the second transmission scheme to induce charge in the implantable device.
5. A method according to claim 4 comprising: determining a performance parameter of the induced charge, adapting the second transmission scheme to a third transmission scheme based on the performance parameter, and operating the charging module (100) according to the third transmission scheme.

Description

This invention relates to a charging module for powering an implantable device, in particular, but not exclusively an implantable device with a sensor module for monitoring a joint environment, such as an intra-articular joint environment. BACKGROUND Knee osteoarthritis, OA, is a problem commonly affecting the middle-aged and older population, with total knee arthroplasty (also known as total knee replacement, TKR, often being the treatment of choice for patients with severe OA and significant symptoms. Although generally successful, up to 1 in 5 patients with a TKR report "dissatisfaction with the outcome" without any obvious cause. A significant proportion of these could be avoided or caught early to improve outcomes. Similarly with hip replacements, a device warning of dangerous positions can heighten awareness, and as such, the risk of dislocation (approximately 3% of hip replacements) and/or implant failure and loosening. With improved life expectancy and increasing preference towards leading an active life, knee replacement surgery is being increasingly performed in younger and more active patients with increasing demands put on the replaced joint for a longer duration. Artificial joints have a finite life span and fail with time, necessitating a further operation which is technically difficult, costly, and less predictable in outcome than the primary procedure.. After undergoing a TKR, patients are discharged on average after 3 days in the UK and then attend physiotherapy to optimise the knee function. Patients are seen by the orthopaedic surgeon once at 3 months after the operation and then at variable time points based upon the way a patient is progressing. However, the information obtained in these visits is just a snapshot of the patient's recovery and not a detailed evaluation of their progress since the operation. It is difficult to establish an accurate evaluation of a patient's progress without detailed information on their day-to-day activities. Instrumented implants remain underdeveloped due to existing technology being complex, expensive, and impractical. Instrumented implants, to date, require a laboratory/controlled environment and are bulkier than standard implants, which has the disadvantage that additional bone and/or soft tissue must be removed to accommodate the instrumented implant. US2021/378841A1 relates to medical prosthetics and more specifically to an endoprosthesis fitted with an implantable electronic device for measuring activity of the endoprosthesis. US2021/402164A1 relates to devices for wireless charging, localization, and data communications for implantable medical devices such as vascular access devices. In some cases, patients are provided with external tracking devices to help clinicians in monitoring a patient's progress. These are cumbersome, can introduce errors if not put on properly and require patients to remember to use them throughout the day. Therefore, the information obtained is variable and not necessarily accurate. The present invention seeks to address at least some of these issues. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a charging module for powering an implantable device as defined in claim 1 and a method of wirelessly powering an implantable device as defined in claim 4. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure further provides an implantable device for monitoring an intra-articular joint environment corresponding to a joint body, for example a bone or a prosthetic joint component. The implantable device comprises: a sensor module configured to measure data indicative of at least one parameter of an intra-articular joint environment corresponding to a joint body; a communications unit operatively coupled to the sensor module and configured to transmit the measured data to an external device; and a rechargeable battery configured to power the sensor module and the communications unit, wherein the sensor module, the power supply and the communications unit are contained within a capsule, wherein the capsule is releasably mountable within an opening of the joint body, and wherein, when the capsule is releasably mounted within the opening of the joint body, the sensor module is configured to monitor the at least one parameter of the intra-articular joint environment. This advantageously enables properties of the joint environment, such as a mechanical property, chemical property or biological property, to be monitored in real-time. The term "joint environment" as described herein includes prosthetic or native surfaces commonly used to define the synovial joint, such as articulating surfaces, as well as the synovial fluid itself. By way of example, this includes monitoring a property, such as mechanical wear, of a polymer insert typically found in replacement knee and hip joints. The sensor module may comprise one or more of: a motion sensor, a temp