Medtronic, Inc. Lands Patent for Implant Recharger that May Fit in Blankets, Clothing

Medtech giant Medtronic wins a U.S. patent for a passive charging system that could wirelessly recharge the batteries in multiple implanted medical devices at the same time, with possible applications in blankets, clothing or memory foam pads. Medical device industry giant Medtronic's (NYSE:MDT) won a new U.S. patent for a passive method of powering implanted medical devices wirelessly from an external source, including possible applications in chairs, blankets or clothing. The patent, titled "Passive charge of implantable medical device utilizing external power source and method," was granted on Tuesday, according to a filing with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. The wireless recharge method may one day apply to a range of implantable medical devices, including drug infusion pumps, neurostimulators, cardioverters, cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators and cochlear implants, according to the filing.