A charging device for an implanted device in a human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging device

Abstract

This invention discloses a charging device for implanted medical devices in the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, belonging to the field of mechanics. This invention proposes a novel concept: abandoning the traditional method of transmitting energy to the implant from an external alternating electromagnetic field emitter. It utilizes the human body's insensitivity to the static magnetic field generated by the MRI scanner (the magnetic permeability of human tissue is 1) and the movement of the heart (blood flow) to enable the implanted device to generate its own power within the body. This eliminates the significant losses during electromagnetic field transmission within the body tissue, greatly reducing radiation hazards and improving safety. This invention uses the static magnetic field generated by the MRI scanner to collect the kinetic energy of blood to charge deeply implanted medical devices, replacing the traditional method of transmitting energy from the outside, achieving higher efficiency. Energy is collected only in a magnetic field environment, with minimal impact on the human body and virtually no electromagnetic radiation hazards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of mechanics. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of technology, humanity has never ceased its pursuit of developing medical devices. For implantable active medical devices, reducing their size and extending their lifespan has always been a key objective. Take pacemakers as an example: the battery occupies a large portion of the space and limits their lifespan. Therefore, wireless charging for implantable active medical devices has developed rapidly in recent years. Wireless charging for deeply implanted medical devices (implantation depth greater than 10cm) presents a significant challenge. Due to the strong coupling between human tissue and electromagnetic signals, current wireless charging methods for implantable medical devices are limited to shallowly implanted devices (implantation depth less than 10cm). Specific charging methods include electromagnetic induction, magnetic resonance imaging, and electromagnetic radiation. For deeply implanted active medical devices, there is currently no effective and safe wireless charging method to power them. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention proposes a novel concept that abandons the traditional method of sending energy from an external alternating electromagnetic field emitting device to an implant in the body. Instead, it utilizes the insensitivity of the human body to the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic resonance imaging device (the magnetic permeability of human tissue is 1) and the movement of the heart (blood flow) to enable the implant in the heart to generate its own electricity inside the body. This eliminates the significant losses during the transmission of electromagnetic fields within human tissue, greatly reducing the harm caused by radiation to the human body and improving safety.

[0004] This invention relates to active implants that are located within or connected to the heart and move in tandem with it. During the movement of internal organs, the implant moves along with them. This movement includes, but is not limited to, movement caused by the heartbeat, respiration, and blood flow. Under the strong static magnetic field of an MRI scanner, this movement of the metal inside or on the surface of the implant cuts magnetic field lines, thereby generating an induced electromotive force (EMF). Alternatively, it may cause a change in the magnetic flux passing through a loop formed by the metal, generating an induced current. Because the movement is reciprocating, the generated EMF is alternating and must be connected to a rectifier or a group of rectifiers to store it in an energy storage device before powering the implant.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is: a charging device for implanting a device in the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging device. The device includes: a metal object, a rectifier circuit, and an energy storage device. The rectifier circuit and the energy storage device are disposed on the body of the implant. One end of the implant is spiral-shaped and used to screw into the interventricular septum of the myocardium and fix it. The other end of the implant is connected to the metal object, which can rotate around a set axis.

[0006] Furthermore, the rectifier circuit includes low-loss diodes D1 and D2, capacitors C2 and C3, with D1 and D2 connected in series, and D2, D1, C2, and C3 connected sequentially to form a closed loop. The common contact of D1 and D2 is connected to one end of a metal object, the common contact of C2 and C3 is grounded, the common contact of D1 and C2 is connected to one end of an energy storage device, and the common contact of C3 and D2 is connected to the other end of the energy storage device.

[0007] Furthermore, the metallic object includes one or more.

[0008] Furthermore, the metal objects are in the form of strips, rings, or spirals.

[0009] This invention utilizes the static magnetic field generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to collect the kinetic energy of blood to charge deeply implanted medical devices, replacing the traditional method of transferring energy from the outside into the body, thus achieving higher efficiency. Energy is collected only in a magnetic field environment, with minimal impact on the human body and virtually no electromagnetic radiation hazards. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 The charging scene during an MRI scan.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a functional diagram of the energy harvesting module.

[0012] Figure 3 This is an example of circuit 9.

[0013] Figure 4 The device is propelled by the blood ejected from the ventricle towards the pulmonary artery.

[0014] Figure 5 The device is propelled to the tricuspid valve position by the blood ejected from the atrium.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Spectrometer, 2. Magnetic induction lines of the static magnetic field generated by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Spectrometer, 3. Left ventricle and left atrium, 4. Implant, 5. Right ventricle and right atrium, 6. Human trunk, 7. Atrial septum and interventricular septum, 8. Metal object, 9. Rectifier circuit, 10. Energy storage device, 11. Right atrium, 12. Right ventricle, 13. Tricuspid valve, 14. Implant body, 15. Pulmonary artery, 16. Implant energy harvester, 17. Connection between the energy harvester and the body. Detailed Implementation

[0016] This invention involves placing one or more metal objects inside or on the surface of an implant. These metal objects or groups of metal objects cut the magnetic field lines of the static magnetic field generated by the MRI scanner, inducing a potential difference at their ends; or the magnetic flux through the loop formed by the metal changes, generating an induced current. Although the amplitude and speed of this movement are small, due to the strong static magnetic field of the MRI scanner, the device can still generate enough electrical energy to be stored in an energy storage device. A single MRI scan takes approximately 10-40 minutes, during which time sufficient electrical energy can be stored to power the implant for a period of time; for example... Figure 1 As shown.

[0017] Figure 2 The modular structure of the invention is illustrated. One or more metals (strips, rings, spirals, etc.) are distributed on the surface or inside the implant. Metal coils are wound around the X, Y, and Z axes in three different dimensions to ensure that at least one dimension of the closed-loop metal circuit can experience a change in magnetic flux at any location. With the heartbeat and respiration or blood flow, the coils move not perfectly parallel to the magnetic field lines, thereby generating an induced electromotive force to produce electricity, or the magnetic flux through the loop changes, generating an induced current to produce electricity. After being connected to a rectifier circuit 9, the alternating voltage or current is converted into direct current. The direct current voltage or current is connected to an energy storage device 10 to store the electrical energy for later use.

[0018] The entire energy harvester is shaped to be longer along the X-axis to provide sufficient torque for it to oscillate when flushed by blood. This section is located in Figure 4 , Figure 5 16. All surface connections of the energy harvester 16 have smooth chamfered edges, which will not cause any damage to the heart muscle.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an example of a 9-circuit rectifier. This example is a typical full-wave rectifier circuit that converts AC current to DC current. The selection and values ​​of each component depend on the specific application. C2 and C3 are capacitors, and D1 and D2 are low-loss diodes.

[0020] Figure 4 In the illustrated example, one end of the implant is spiral-shaped, used to screw into the myocardium (ventricular septum) and fix the implant. The other end has a connection 17 that is rotatable relative to the implant body 14, and through this structure connects to an energy harvester 16. One end of the energy harvester 16 is fixed to the connection 17, while the remaining part can rotate freely around an axis, and its surface is wound with a coil of a certain number of turns. Figure 2Each time blood is ejected from the ventricle into the pulmonary artery, the device rotates at a certain angle as it is flushed by the blood. Under the strong static magnetic field of the MRI scanner, the magnetic flux within the coil changes, thereby generating an induced electromotive force (induced current). Figure 4 When the ventricle is filled with blood, the device is flushed back to its original position by the blood flowing from the atrium into the ventricle, generating a reverse induced electromotive force.

[0021] Connection 17 includes a coil spring, a limiting device, and a power supply path.

[0022] During the intervals between blood flow cycles, the coil spring in connection 17 will bring the energy harvester 16 back to its original position. The number of turns of the coil should be determined based on the impact force of the blood on the energy harvester, ranging from ten to several hundred turns.

[0023] The limiting device installed on the connection 17 ensures that the angle between the energy harvester 16 and the implant body is not less than 120°, thus reducing the efficiency of energy harvesting.

Claims

1. A charging device for implanting a device in the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, the device comprising: The implant includes a metal object, a rectifier circuit, and an energy storage device. The rectifier circuit and the energy storage device are mounted on the implant body. One end of the implant is spiral-shaped and used to screw into and fix the interventricular septum of the myocardium. The other end of the implant is connected to a metal object, which can rotate around a set axis.

2. The charging device for implanting devices into the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rectifier circuit includes low-loss diodes D1 and D2, capacitors C2 and C3. D1 and D2 are connected in series, and D2, D1, C2, and C3 are connected sequentially to form a closed loop. The common contact of D1 and D2 is connected to one end of a metal object, the common contact of C2 and C3 is grounded, the common contact of D1 and C2 is connected to one end of an energy storage device, and the common contact of C3 and D2 is connected to the other end of the energy storage device.

3. The charging device for implanting a device into the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Metallic objects include one or more.

4. The charging device for implanting a device into the human heart using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Metallic objects can be in the form of strips, rings, or spirals.

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