Midfield coupler

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for wireless power transfer utilizing a midfield source and implant. In one variation, a midfield source may be realized by a patterned metal plate composed of one of more subwavelength structures. These midfield sources may manipulate evanescent fields outside a material (e.g., tissue) to excite and control propagating fields inside the material (e.g., tissue) and thereby generate spatially confined and adaptive energy transport in the material (e.g., tissue). The energy may be received by an implanted device, which may be configured for one or more functions such as stimulation, sensing, or drug delivery.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15 / 200,543, filed Jul. 1, 2016, and titled “MIDFIELD COUPLER,” which application is a continuation in part under 35 U.S.C. §1.111 (a) of PCT Application Serial Number PCT / US2015 / 030995, filed May 15, 2015, and titled “MIDFIELD COUPLER,” which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.[0002]This application is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 291,379, filed Feb. 4, 2016, and titled “IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION DEVICES AND STEERING AND AFFIXING MECHANISMS THEREFORE,” which application is incorporated here by reference in its entirety.FIELD[0003]This disclosure is generally related to wireless power transfer. More specifically, described herein are devices, systems, and methods for midfield coupling to an implanted device, such as a microstimulator, sensor, ablation, or drug delivery device.BACKGROUND[0004]Although considerable progress has been made in energy stora...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes devices, systems, and methods for wireless power transfer through tissue using a midfield source and an implant with a receiver coil. The midfield source generates an electromagnetic field that is controlled to create a focused field in the tissue. The implant can contain sensors or stimulators for various functions such as stimulation, ablation, sensing, or drug delivery. The devices and systems can be used for cardiac pacing, brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and more. The technical effects include improved wireless power transfer and control of the power distribution through the use of subwavelength structures and dynamic focal region adjustment.

Problems solved by technology

Although considerable progress has been made in energy storage technologies, batteries remain a major obstacle to miniaturization of implantable electronics.

Problems associated with this current approach include pocket infections, lead dislodgment, lead fracture or perforation, muscle tear due to implanting in or pulling out the leads, and limited locations for the placement of the electrodes.

In addition, the lifetime of these devices is burdensomely limited, requiring periodic surgical replacement once the battery unit is depleted.

Alternatively, energy can be wirelessly transferred from an external source, but the ability to transfer power to small implanted devices and / or devices located beyond superficial depths remains challenging.

Most of the known wireless powering methods for implantable electronics are based on the near-field coupling method, and these and other suggested methods suffer from a number of disadvantages.

The coils external to the body in near-field coupling methods are also typically bulky and inflexible.

This presents some difficulties with regard to the incorporation of the external device into daily life.

On the other hand, the radiative nature of the far field severely limits the energy transfer efficiency.

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