US 7,570,994 B2
Apparatus and method for maintaining a defibrillator battery charge and optionally communicating
Paul S. Tamura, Seattle, Wash. (US); Daniel Yerkovich, Seattle, Wash. (US); Patrick F. Kelly, Edmonds, Wash. (US); Richard Nova, Kirkland, Wash. (US); Joseph Bradley Williamson, Mercer Island, Wash. (US); Stephen B. Johnson, Clinton, Wash. (US); and Gary DeBardi, Kirkland, Wash. (US)
Assigned to Medtronic Physio-Control Corp., Redmond, Wash. (US)
Filed on Apr. 25, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/423,805.
Prior Publication US 2004/0212344 A1, Oct. 28, 2004
Int. Cl. A61N 1/39 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 607—5  [607/33; 607/61; 320/111; 600/300] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A defibrillator assembly comprising:
a defibrillator housing;
a rechargeable power source carried in the housing that selectively sources power used for a defibrillation shock, wherein the rechargeable power source is coupled to a recharging interface circuit carried in the housing, and wherein the recharging interface circuit wirelessly receives energy to charge the rechargeable power source;
a docking station;
an external charging circuit located outside of the housing and within the docking station, wherein the external charging circuit wirelessly transfers energy to the power source via a wireless coupling from the external charging circuit to the recharging interface circuit without conductive electrical contact between the docking station and the recharging interface circuit, and wherein the docking station supports the housing while the external charging circuit wirelessly transfers energy to the power source; and
communication means to transmit and receive defibrillator information between the housing and the docking station.