Stimulus applying system

Abstract

To provide a stimulus applying system capable of appropriately applying a stimulus to a prescribed stimulus position in the body.SOLUTION: A stimulus applying system has an implantable device configured to be implanted in the patient's body and at least one information processing unit disposed in the implantable device. The implantable device is provided with: a detection part configured to detect an electric signal at a prescribed time interval at a prescribed detection position in the body; and a stimulation circuit part configured to apply an electric stimulus to a prescribed stimulus position which stimulus is applied to in the body. The at least one information processing unit is configured to receive detection information about the electric signal detected by the detection part at prescribed time interval, process the detection information with respect to the respective prescribed time intervals, and determine a mode of stimulus application by the stimulation circuit part at the respective prescribed time intervals on the basis of the processed detection information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stimulus delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless power transfer methods can be broadly divided into two types: inductive power transfer (IPT) and capacitive power transfer (CPT). Inductive coupling methods can transfer relatively large amounts of power, but they have problems such as the power transfer efficiency varying greatly depending on the alignment between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device, and the amount of heat generated by the circuit.

[0003] On the other hand, in the method using capacitive coupling, the amount of power that can be transmitted is generally smaller than that in the method using inductive coupling, but the change in power transmission efficiency due to alignment between the transmitting device and the receiving device is relatively small, and the amount of heat generated by the circuit during power transmission is also smaller than that in the method using inductive coupling.

[0004] As described above, power transmission using inductive coupling and power transmission using capacitive coupling each have advantages and disadvantages, and currently one of the power transmission methods is adopted depending on the application.

[0005] Specifically, as a method for wirelessly supplying power to cardiac pacemakers, nerve stimulation devices, various signal detection devices, etc. implanted in the human body, a method using capacitive coupling is suitable, as the amount of heat generated by the circuit during power transmission is relatively small.

[0006] An example of a conventional power transmission system using capacitive coupling is shown in Fig. 22. As shown in Fig. 22, in the conventional power transmission system, a power transmitting side device 100 and a power receiving side device 200 each include a pair of plates 101, 102, 201, and 202. In the power receiving side device 200, a load 210 is disposed between the plates 201 and 202. In the power transmitting side device 100, a ground terminal GND of a power source 110 is connected to the plate 102 side, and this ground terminal GND is connected to a common potential point (for example, grounded). Furthermore, a power supply side terminal of the power source 110 is connected to the plate 101.

[0007] In this conventional example, power transmitted to load 210 by capacitive coupling between plate 101 and plate 201 "returns" to ground terminal GND of power transmitting device 100 by capacitive coupling between plate 202 and plate 102, resulting in current flowing through load 210 (for example, non-patent document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] H. Zheng, K. Tnay, N. Alami, and AP Hu, "Contactless Power Couplers for Respiratory Devices", presented at the Mechatronics and Embedded Systems and Applications (MESA), 2010 IEEE / ASME International Conference on, 2010. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the conventional power transmission method using capacitive coupling requires two pairs of plates, which can be difficult to arrange depending on the application.In addition, each pair of plates must be capacitively coupled, which creates the problem of difficult plate alignment.

[0010] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a stimulation system that can appropriately stimulate a predetermined stimulation position within the body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A stimulation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an implantable device configured to be implanted in a patient's body and at least one information processing unit disposed in the implantable device, wherein the implantable device comprises a detection unit configured to detect electrical signals at predetermined detection positions within the body at predetermined time intervals, and a stimulation circuit unit configured to apply electrical stimulation to predetermined stimulation positions within the body at which stimulation is applied, and the at least one information processing unit is configured to receive detection information regarding the electrical signals detected by the detection unit at each of the predetermined time intervals, process the detection information for each of the predetermined time intervals, and determine the stimulation mode of the stimulation circuit unit for each of the predetermined time intervals based on the processed detection information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, stimulation can be appropriately applied to a predetermined stimulation position within the body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of a power transmitting side compensation circuit of a power transmitting side device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3]3 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of a power receiving side compensation circuit of a power receiving side device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an electric field formed by a power transmitting plate and an arrangement of components of a power receiving device in a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating another example of an output circuit of a power receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of implementation of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a change in transmission efficiency of the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a change in transmission efficiency of the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the shapes of a power transmitting member and a power receiving member in the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is another explanatory diagram showing an example of the shapes of the power transmitting and receiving members in the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of a power transmission side compensation circuit in a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of a power receiving side compensation circuit in a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an end configuration of an extension wiring that is a different potential portion in a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]6 is another flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of operation of the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen for making settings for the power transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of each part of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 2A to 2C are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of shapes of components of a power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating an example of a conventional power transfer system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the sizes and ratios of the various parts in the following description are merely examples, and the present embodiment is not limited to the sizes and ratios shown in the drawings.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a power transmission system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a power transmitting device 10 and a power receiving device 20, and a load 30 is connected to the power receiving device 20 via wiring 62a and 62b.

[0016] The power transmitting side device 10 includes an AC power supply unit 11, a power transmitting side compensation circuit 12, and a power transmitting plate 13 as a single power transmitting member. The power receiving side device 20 basically includes a power receiving plate 21 as a single power receiving member, a power receiving side compensation circuit 22, and an output circuit 23.

[0017] Here, the AC power supply unit 11 of the power transmitting side device 10 operates as an AC power supply with a predetermined frequency. In one example of the present embodiment, this AC power supply unit 11 is configured using a DC power supply and an E-class switching inverter. Examples of such AC power supply units 11 are widely known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] 2(a), the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 includes a coil L1 and a capacitor C1, and one end of the coil L1 is connected to one end of the output terminal of the AC power supply unit 11. The other end of the coil L1 is connected to one end of the capacitor C1 and also to the power transmitting plate 13. The other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the other end of the output terminal of the AC power supply unit 11.

[0019] The power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 of the power receiving device 20 are disposed opposite to each other. That is, with the power transmitting plate 13 as the bottom surface, the bottom surface is virtually moved in the normal direction of the power transmitting plate 13 to form a columnar movement locus (hereinafter, this region is referred to as an overlap region) such that at least a portion of the power receiving plate 21 is included within the columnar movement locus.

[0020] The power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 are capacitively coupled to each other when power is supplied from the AC power supply unit 11. The power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 do not necessarily need to be center-aligned, and as will be explained later, as long as they have opposing portions (i.e., as long as at least a portion of the power receiving plate 21 is included in the overlapping area), some degree of misalignment is acceptable. Furthermore, the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 do not necessarily need to be arranged strictly parallel, as long as they can be capacitively coupled to each other.

[0021] In addition, although the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 are both rectangular and of the same size in the figures, the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 may be different in size, and the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 may also be different in shape, such as in aspect ratio. Furthermore, the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 do not both need to be rectangular, and various shapes, such as a rounded rectangle or an oval, can be used depending on the application.

[0022] 3(a), the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 includes a coil L2 and a capacitor C2. One end of the coil L2 is connected to the power receiving plate 21 and is also connected to one end of the capacitor C2 via a wiring 61. The other end of the coil L2 is connected to a first terminal 23a of the output circuit 23. The other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to a second terminal 23b of the output circuit 23.

[0023] In one example of this embodiment, output circuit 23 includes first terminal 23a and second terminal 23b, and load 30 is connected between these terminals via wiring 62a, b. In this example, the other end of capacitor C2 of power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is disposed away from power receiving plate 21. Specifically, this other end of capacitor C2 is disposed at a position where the distance Dr between it and power transmitting plate 13 is greater than the distance Dp between power transmitting plate 13 and power receiving plate 21 by a predetermined distance d or more (a position where Dr≧Dp+d).

[0024] In this example of the present embodiment, the current supplied from the AC power supply unit 11 causes the power transmitting plate 13 to generate an electric field (AC electric field) via the power transmitting-side compensation circuit 12. The strength of this electric field varies depending on the distance from the power transmitting plate 13, as shown in FIG. 4, and the strength decreases with increasing distance from the power transmitting plate 13. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic example of the arrangement of the power transmission system 1 of the present embodiment, the electric field formed in the overlap region by the power transmitting plate 13, and the resulting potential surface at a certain point in time.

[0025] 4, in the vicinity of the power transmitting plate 13, the electric field generated by the power transmitting plate 13 is substantially perpendicular to the power transmitting plate 13. Therefore, the potential surfaces generated by this electric field are parallel to the power transmitting plate 13 in the vicinity of the power transmitting plate 13, and the magnitude of the potential on each potential surface fluctuates over time, but the potential decreases with increasing distance from the power transmitting plate 13.

[0026] As described above, in one example of the present embodiment, the other end 22C of the capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 (indicated by reference symbol 22C in FIG. 4 ) is disposed so that the distance from the power transmitting plate 13 to the other end 22C of the capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is greater than the distance from the power transmitting plate 13 to the power receiving plate 21. Furthermore, the other end 22C of the capacitor C2 may be disposed so that at least a portion of it is included in the overlap region of the power transmitting plate 13.

[0027] As a result, the power receiving plate 21 and the other end 22C of capacitor C2 are arranged on potential surfaces formed by the power transmitting plate 13, which have different potentials. That is, the other end 22C of capacitor C2 functions as a different potential location. Furthermore, because one end and the other end of capacitor C2 are not electrically short-circuited, a difference in potential occurs between the power receiving plate 21 and the other end 22C of capacitor C2 in the power receiving-side compensation circuit 22, causing a current to flow through the load 30 connected between them. That is, in this example of the present embodiment, power is transmitted from the power transmitting-side device 10 to the power receiving-side device 20 by the single power transmitting plate 13 and power receiving plate 21.

[0028] In one example of this embodiment, the distance Dr between the other end of the capacitor C2 and the power transmission plate 13 is set at a position where the predetermined distance d is 10 mm or more greater than the distance Dp between the power transmission plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 (a position where Dr≧Dp+d).

[0029] The configuration of the different potential portion in this embodiment is not limited to this example. Here, the other end of capacitor C2 of power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is placed at a position that is at least a predetermined distance d greater than the distance Dp between power transmitting plate 13 and power receiving plate 21. However, power receiving side compensation circuit 22 itself (the entire power receiving side compensation circuit 22) may also be placed at a position that is at least a predetermined distance d greater than the distance Dp between power transmitting plate 13 and power receiving plate 21. This position may be outside the overlapping region of power transmitting plate 13 or may be within the overlapping region of power transmitting plate 13.

[0030] In this example, the power receiving plate 21 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 are arranged on different potential planes formed by the power transmitting plate 13, so that charge moves between the power receiving plate 21 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22, generating a current. That is, in this example, the entire power receiving side compensation circuit 22 functions as a different potential portion.

[0031] In another example of this embodiment, another wire (hereinafter referred to as an extension wire) may be connected to the other end of capacitor C2 of power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 (wire J in FIG. 3, wire 22C in FIG. 4), and the end of the extension wire may be located at a position that is at least a predetermined distance d greater than the distance Dp between power transmitting plate 13 and power receiving plate 21. This position may be outside the overlapping region of power transmitting plate 13 or may be inside the overlapping region of power transmitting plate 13. The end of the extension wire may be an open end, or may be connected to another conductor, GND, or other circuit configuration as long as it is not short-circuited to one end of capacitor C2. In this example, the end of the extension wire functions as a different potential location.

[0032] [Another example of a transmitter compensation circuit and a receiver compensation circuit] In the above configuration, the coil L2 included in the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 may be disposed on the transmitting side compensation circuit 12 side.

[0033] 2(b), a power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 according to another example of the present embodiment includes a coil L1, a capacitor C1, and a coil L2. One end of the coil L1 is connected to one end of the output terminal of the AC power supply unit 11. The other end of the coil L1 is connected to one end of the capacitor C1 and one end of the coil L2. The other end of the coil L2 is connected to the power transmitting plate 13. The other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the other end of the output terminal of the AC power supply unit 11.

[0034] 3(b), the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 in this example is configured to include a capacitor C2. One end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the power receiving plate 21 and the first terminal 23a. The other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the second terminal 23b of the output circuit 23.

[0035] The power-receiving-side device 20 including the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 of this example can be made smaller in size. Such miniaturization is suitable for configuring the power-receiving-side device 20 as a device for supplying power to devices such as implanted pacemakers, nerve stimulation devices, and various signal detection devices.

[0036] [Output circuit configuration example] Furthermore, instead of the output circuit 23 of the present embodiment, an output circuit 23' including a rectifier circuit section 23'x may be used. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this output circuit 23' includes a rectifier circuit section 23'x equipped with a diode bridge D. This rectifier circuit section 23'x converts AC current input from a first terminal 23'a corresponding to the first terminal 23a of the output circuit 23 and a second terminal 23'b corresponding to the second terminal 23b of the output circuit 23 into DC current and outputs it to a first output terminal 23'c (positive electrode) and a second output terminal 23'd (negative electrode). Note that the configuration and operation of the diode bridge D are widely known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0037] In this example, a load 30 is connected between a first output terminal 23'c (positive electrode) and a second output terminal 23'd (negative electrode) of the output circuit 23'.

[0038] Although the rectifier circuit section 23'x is a full-wave rectifier circuit in this example, a half-wave rectifier circuit may be used as the rectifier circuit section 23'x depending on the application.

[0039] [Impedance matching] In the present embodiment, the reactance and capacitance of the coils L1, L2 and the capacitors C1, C2 in the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 are determined as follows.

[0040] That is, in this embodiment, the constants of the circuit elements included in the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 are determined so that the impedances of the power transmitting side circuit and the power receiving side circuit coupled via the coupling capacitance Cc formed by the capacitive coupling of the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 match with each other. Specifically, when the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(a) are used, and the capacitors (including the coupling capacitance Cc) C1, C2, and Cc, the coils L1 and L2, and the load Z are each used as resistors, the reactance of the coil L1 is calculated as follows:

[0041]

number

[0042] It is defined as follows.

[0043] Here, RC is the impedance of the coupling capacitance Cc with respect to the AC current of angular frequency ω=2πf (f is the frequency), and Rx is the combined impedance of the receiving-side compensation circuit 22 and the load Z with respect to the AC current of angular frequency ω. In the case of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 3(a) (where RL is the impedance of the load Z and j is the imaginary unit), JPEG2025147214000003.jpg29166

[0044] This can be expressed as follows.

[0045] The reactance of the coil L2 is determined using the reactance of the coil L1, the capacitance C1 of the capacitor C1, and the capacitance Cc of the coupling capacitance so as to satisfy the following condition:

[0046]

number

[0047] Also, solving equation (1) for f, the resonant frequency f is

[0048]

number

[0049] It is required that:

[0050] Therefore, when the capacitance Cc of the coupling capacitance is determined taking into consideration the relative permittivity of the air or dielectric material sandwiched between the transmitting plate 13 and the receiving plate 21, the power transmission efficiency can be improved by adjusting the distance and alignment between the transmitting plate 13 and the receiving plate 21 (how much of the receiving plate 21 is included in the overlap area) or by controlling the angular frequency ω of the AC output from the AC power supply unit 11 so as to satisfy the above equations (1) to (3).

[0051] [Load example] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the load 30 connected to the power receiving device 20 is, for example, a pacemaker or nerve stimulation device implanted in the human body, medical equipment such as various signal detection devices, etc. The load 30 may include a secondary battery, a microcomputer, a microprocessor, a memory, a wireless communication module, a digital signal processor, an RF detector, a filter, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, when power is supplied from the power receiving device 20, the load 30 may output a signal indicating that power has been supplied (or a signal indicating the magnitude of the supplied power) via a wireless communication module or the like.

[0053] [Example of implementation of pacemakers, etc.] The power transmission system 1 of this embodiment is useful in situations where it is difficult to supply power via a wire. For example, the power transmission system 1 of this embodiment is suitably applied to devices implanted in the human body that generate stimuli for nerves, etc., used in spinal cord stimulation, sacral nerve stimulation therapy, vagus nerve stimulation therapy, deep brain stimulation therapy, etc., cardiac pacemakers, and signal detection devices that detect electrical signals at various locations within the human body. In these examples, the power receiving device 20 is implanted in a body such as a human body (note that although a human body is used as an example here, the power receiving device 20 may also be implanted in the body of an animal other than a human). Furthermore, the power transmitting device 10 is used by being placed outside the body such as a human body.

[0054] As an example, a schematic example of the application of the power transmission system 1 of this embodiment to a cardiac pacemaker is shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6(a), in this example, a cardiac pacemaker 50 includes a generator circuit section 51 and a power supply section 52, which are housed in a thin casing 53.

[0055] The power supply unit 52 includes a secondary battery 54 having two terminals, a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In this example of the present embodiment, one surface of the power supply unit 52 facing the casing 53 is formed of a conductor, and the conductor surface serves as the power receiving plate 21. The power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is disposed on the front (the surface facing outward from the casing 53) or back of the power receiving plate 21. The power receiving side compensation circuit 22 in this example may be based on either the example shown in FIG. 3(a) or (b). The secondary battery 54 is connected as a load to the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 via wiring 62a, b. In this example of the present embodiment, the negative electrode of the secondary battery 54, together with wiring 62b, is connected to a common potential point (GND) (FIG. 6(b)).

[0056] The secondary battery 54 also supplies power to the generator circuit 51. The generator circuit 51 is similar to that of a typical cardiac pacemaker, and a pacing lead 56 is led out from the generator circuit 51. The negative electrode of the generator circuit 51, i.e., the negative electrode of the pacing lead 56, is also connected to a common potential point (GND) along with the negative electrode of the secondary battery 54 and the wiring 62b.

[0057] The pacing lead 56 is led out from a part of the casing 53 and attached to the heart via a pacing electrode (not shown) disposed at the tip of the pacing lead 56.

[0058] The cardiac pacemaker of this example is implanted in the human body with the normal direction of the power receiving plate 21 aligned in the front-to-back direction of the human body.

[0059] One of the challenges in applying a power transmission system to such a cardiac pacemaker is the need to place a power-receiving device that receives power wirelessly inside the casing 53. That is, in this example, it is difficult to place the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 away from the power-receiving plate 21, so the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 is placed on the back surface of the power-receiving plate 21. In this case, however, it becomes difficult to separate the other end of the capacitor C2 of the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 (the wiring J in FIG. 3, i.e., the wiring 22C in FIG. 4) from one end of the capacitor C2 (the end connected to the power-receiving plate 21).

[0060] Therefore, in this example, as described above, the negative side of the receiving side compensation circuit 22, i.e., wiring 62b, is connected to a common potential point together with the negative side of the pacing lead 56 and the negative side of the secondary battery 54, so that the negative side wiring of the receiving side compensation circuit 22 (wiring that is at the same potential as wiring J in Figure 3) is extended to a position (in this example, the heart) separated from one end of the capacitor C2 (the side connected to the receiving plate 21).

[0061] In this example of the present embodiment, when power transmission is initiated by abutting the power transmitting plate 13 of the power transmitting side device 10 against the surface of the human body closer to the power receiving side plate 21, in the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 that receives power supply from the power transmitting side device 10, the end point of the pacing lead 56 on the heart side, which has the same potential as the wiring 62b, functions as a different potential part (i.e., the pacing lead 56 functions as an extension wiring), and as a result, a potential difference occurs between the two end points of the capacitor C2, so that power is supplied to the secondary battery 54, which is a load, and the secondary battery 54 is charged.

[0062] [Another example of a power transmission component and a power receiving component] In the description up to this point, the power transmitting member is a plate-shaped member (power transmitting plate 13) and the power receiving member is also a plate-shaped member (power receiving plate 21), but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0063] In another example of this embodiment, the power transmitting member may be a member obtained by shaping a conductor into a first predetermined shape, and the power receiving member may be a member obtained by shaping a conductor into a second predetermined shape. As an example, this first predetermined shape may be a coil shape with one end connected to the AC power supply unit 11 and the other end open. In this case, the second predetermined shape of the corresponding power receiving member may be a coil shape with one end connected to the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 and the other end open or connected to a location on the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 different from the one end.

[0064] Specifically, the coils 13' and 21' having the first and second predetermined shapes are each formed by laminating multiple layers (n layers in this case) of windings 211-1, 211-2, ..., 211-n, each of which is formed by winding a conductor wire in a rectangular spiral shape within a plane (within each layer of a multilayer substrate), as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Note that the number of windings in Figure 10 is an example, and the number of windings may be greater or less than this. Furthermore, the windings may not be arranged evenly, with some areas being closely spaced and others being sparsely spaced. Furthermore, in Figure 11, the number of windings is relatively small, and the view is perspective, in order to make the contents of the illustration easier to understand.

[0065] 10, the winding 211-i (i=1, 2..., n) formed on the ith layer is wound from the outside to the inside, starting from the end point Ai at the bottom left corner of the spiral, and the end point Bi of the conductor near the center is electrically connected to the end point Ai+1 of the winding 211-(i+1) on the next adjacent layer, or the end point Bn of the last layer (the layer closest to the power receiving member in the case of the power transmitting member, and the layer farthest from the power receiving member in the case of the power receiving member; hereinafter referred to as the final layer) serves as a terminal. In one example of this embodiment, this terminal of the end point Bn is an open end, and in another example, it is connected to another circuit.

[0066] In this embodiment, in which coils 13' and 21' are used as the power transmitting and receiving members, it is preferable to replace the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 with the following circuits instead of those shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0067] That is, an example of the power transmission side compensation circuit 12 in this example is as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), where it is connected to one end and both ends of a coil-shaped power transmission member made of wound conductor wire, respectively.

[0068] 12(a), when one end of a coil-shaped power transmitting member is connected to the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12, the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 includes a capacitor C1. One end of this capacitor C1 is connected to one terminal of the AC power supply unit 11, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the other terminal of the AC power supply unit 11. One end of this capacitor C1 is also connected to one end of the coil 13', which is the power transmitting member (point A1 of the winding 211-1 of the first layer (the layer farthest from the power receiving member) of the coil 13'). In this example, the other end of the coil 13' (point Bn (terminal Bn) of the winding 211-n of the final layer) is an open end.

[0069] Also, when both ends of the coil 13', which is the power transmitting member, are connected to the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12, the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 is configured to include the capacitor C1 as shown in FIG. 12(b) as an example, but the connection method is different.

[0070] In this example, in which both ends of the coil 13', which is the power transmitting member, are connected, one end of the capacitor C1 of the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 is connected to one terminal of the AC power supply unit 11, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected to one end side of the coil 13', which is the power transmitting member (point A1 of the winding 211-1 of the first layer (the layer farthest from the power receiving member) of the coil 13').

[0071] The other end of the coil 13' (point Bn (terminal Bn) of the final layer winding 211-n) is connected to the other terminal of the AC power supply unit 11 via the power transmission side compensation circuit 12 (or without via the power transmission side compensation circuit 12).

[0072] The power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is as shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Figure 13(a) shows an example in which the compensation circuit is connected to one end of a coil-shaped power receiving member made of wound conductor wire. Figure 13(b) shows an example in which the compensation circuit is connected to both ends of a coil-shaped power receiving member made of wound conductor wire.

[0073] 13(a), when one end of a coil-shaped power receiving member is connected to the power receiving side compensation circuit 22, the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 includes a capacitor C2. One end of this capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the coil 21′, which is the power receiving member (point A1 of the winding 211-1 of the first layer (the layer closest to the power transmitting member) of the coil 21′), and is also connected to the first terminal 23a of the output circuit 23. The other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the second terminal 23b of the output circuit 23.

[0074] In this example, the other end of the coil 21' (point Bn (terminal Bn) of the final layer winding 211-n) is an open end.

[0075] Also, when both ends of the coil 21', which is the power receiving member, are connected to the power receiving side compensation circuit 22, the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is configured to include the capacitor C2 as shown in FIG. 13(b) as an example, but the connection method is different.

[0076] In this example, in which both ends of the coil 21', which is the power receiving member, are connected, one end of the capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is connected to one end side of the coil 21' (point A1 of the winding 211-1 of the first layer (the layer closest to the power transmitting member) of the coil 21'), and the other end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the first terminal 23a of the output circuit 23.

[0077] The other end of the coil 21' (point Bn (terminal Bn) of the final layer winding 211-n) is connected to the second terminal 23b of the output circuit 23.

[0078] In these examples of the present embodiment, the power transmitting member or the power receiving member has the above-described coil-like shape. Furthermore, in these examples, the power transmitting member is arranged so that the magnetic flux generated by coil 13' of the power receiving member passes through coil 21' of the power receiving member. That is, here, coils 13', 21' are arranged so that the normal directions of each layer of each coil 13', 21' are aligned with each other. Furthermore, at least a portion of the conductor constituting coil 21', the power receiving member, is included within a columnar movement locus (overlap region) formed by virtually moving a rectangle circumscribing the winding 211-i of each layer of coil 13' of the power transmitting member in the normal direction.

[0079] In this example, coil 13', which is the power transmitting member, and coil 21', which is the power receiving member, are electrically and magnetically coupled (capacitively and inductively coupled) to each other when AC power of a predetermined frequency is supplied from AC power supply unit 11. The frequency of the AC power supplied by AC power supply unit 11 is determined in advance through experiments or the like to be a frequency at which the coils of the power transmitting member and the power receiving member are electrically and magnetically coupled by capacitive coupling and inductive coupling when they are arranged opposite each other within a predetermined distance.

[0080] In this example, the centers of the coil 13' of the power transmitting member and the coil 21' of the power receiving member do not necessarily have to coincide in a plan view, and as will be explained later, if there is an overlapping portion (i.e., if at least a portion of the conductor of the coil 21' of the power receiving member is included in the overlapping region), there may be some misalignment. Furthermore, the power transmitting member and the power receiving member do not necessarily have to be arranged strictly parallel, as long as they can be capacitively or inductively coupled to each other.

[0081] When AC power at the frequency that causes capacitive or inductive coupling is supplied, even in this example of the present embodiment, the electric field formed by coil 13', the power transmitting member, is oriented substantially perpendicular to the layer plane of coil 13'. Therefore, the potential surface formed by this electric field is parallel to the layer plane of coil 13', the power transmitting member, at least in the vicinity of the power transmitting member, and the magnitude of the potential on each potential surface at different positions from coil 13' of the power transmitting member fluctuates over time, but the potential decreases with increasing distance from coil 13' of the power transmitting member.

[0082] Here again, the other end 22C of capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is arranged so that the distance from the coil 13' of the power transmitting member to the other end 22C of capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is greater than the distance from the coil 13' of the power transmitting member to the coil 21' of the power receiving member. The other end 22C of capacitor C2 may also be arranged so that at least a portion of it is included in the overlapping region of the coil 13' of the power transmitting member. This causes the other end 22C of capacitor C2 to function as a different potential location, creating a difference in potential between the end of the coil 21' of the power receiving member (the terminal connected to one end of capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22) and the other end 22C of capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22, causing a current to flow through the load 30 connected between them.

[0083] Here, the relationship between the distance Dr between the other end of capacitor C2 and the power transmitting member and the distance Dp between the power transmitting member and the power receiving member may be the same as in the example already described. In this case, the entire power receiving-side compensation circuit 22 functions as a different potential portion.

[0084] Furthermore, an extension wiring may be connected to the other end of capacitor C2 of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 (wiring J in FIG. 3, i.e., wiring 22C in FIG. 4), and the end of the extension wiring may be located at a position that is at least a predetermined distance d greater than the distance Dp. This position may be outside the overlapping area of ​​the power transmitting member or may be inside the overlapping area of ​​the power transmitting member. Note that the end of the extension wiring may be an open end, or may be connected to another conductor, GND, other circuit configuration, etc., as long as it is not short-circuited with one end of capacitor C2. In this example, the end of the extension wiring functions as a different potential location.

[0085] 13(a) of this embodiment, an extension wiring 221 may be connected to the other end of the capacitor C2 of the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 (the wiring J in FIG. 13(a)). Alternatively, in the example shown in FIG. 13(b), an extension wiring 221 may be connected to the wiring J of the power-receiving-side compensation circuit 22 connected to the terminal 23b of the output circuit 23. The end 221b of the extension wiring 221 may be located at a distance d greater than the distance Dp from the coil 13′, which is the power transmitting member, or the coil 21′, which is the power receiving member. The position of the end 221b may be outside the overlapping region of the coil 13′, which is the power transmitting member, or may be located within the overlapping region of the coil 13′, which is the power transmitting member. The end of the extension wiring may be an open end, or may be connected to another conductor, GND, or other circuit configuration, as long as it is not short-circuited with the wiring J. In this example, the end of the extension wiring functions as a different potential location.

[0086] [Data transmission and reception] Furthermore, in the above description, the power transmitting and receiving members have been used to transmit power, but in one example of the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and the power transmitting and receiving members may also be used to transmit data. In this case, data transmission can be performed in both directions (from the power transmitting member to the power receiving member, or from the power receiving member to the power transmitting member). Therefore, in the example where the power transmitting and receiving members are used to transmit data, both the power transmitting and receiving members are referred to as transmitting and receiving members.

[0087] In this example of the present embodiment, the transmitting and receiving members may be the same as the coil-shaped power transmitting and receiving members illustrated in FIG.

[0088] As already explained, the power transmission system 1 of the present embodiment is useful in situations where it is difficult to supply power via a wire. For example, it can be used in a stimulation generating device that is implanted in the human body and used in spinal cord stimulation therapy, deep brain stimulation therapy, etc.

[0089] In such an example, the load 30 may include a secondary battery, a microcomputer, a microprocessor, a memory, a wireless communication module, a digital signal processor, an RF detector or a filter, a stimulus generator or a stimulating electrode, various sensors, etc.

[0090] For example, Fig. 14 shows a schematic example of the application of the power transmission system 1 of this embodiment to a device used inside the body. As shown in Fig. 14, in the power transmission system 1 of this example, the power transmitting side device 10 is disposed outside the human body. The power receiving side device 20 is implanted inside the human body. Note that although the human body is used as an example here, the power receiving side device 20 may also be implanted inside the body of an animal other than a human.

[0091] The power transmitting side device 10 includes an AC power supply unit 11, a power transmitting side compensation circuit 12, a single transmitting / receiving member 13", and an information processing unit 14 (corresponding to the first information processing unit of the present invention). The power receiving side device 20 includes a single transmitting / receiving member 21", a power receiving side compensation circuit 22, and an output circuit 23, and includes, as a load 30, a power supply unit 52, a stimulation circuit unit 61, an information processing unit 62 (corresponding to the second information processing unit of the present invention), and a detection unit 63. Note that components with the same configuration as those described above will be assigned the same reference numerals and repeated description will be omitted.

[0092] Each of the transmitting and receiving members 13'', 21'' is constructed by laminating multiple coils as shown in FIG.

[0093] The information processing unit 14 also includes a program-controlled device such as a processor, etc. As will be described below, the information processing unit 14 transmits and receives information to and from the power receiving side device 20 and executes preset processing.

[0094] In accordance with instructions input from the information processing unit 62, the stimulation circuit unit 61 applies electrical stimulation to a predetermined first region in the human body located between a pair of stimulation electrodes 611 arranged at a predetermined interval (e.g., an interval of 2 millimeters or more) via the pair of stimulation electrodes 611. Such stimulation circuit units 61 are widely known, for example, as those used in spinal cord electrical stimulation, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Here, the stimulation electrodes 611 may be arranged on a member (extension wiring member 2211) on which an extension wiring 221 is arranged, as exemplified in FIG. 15(a). That is, in this embodiment, the extension wiring 221 is arranged on, for example, a thin-film flexible substrate or a substrate formed in a ring shape as the extension wiring member 2211, and the pair of stimulation electrodes 611 are extended from the stimulation circuit unit 61 and are respectively arranged at the end points of the wiring arranged on the extension wiring member 2211.

[0095] The information processing unit 62 includes a microcomputer and the like. As will be described later, the information processing unit 62 transmits and receives information to and from the power transmitting side device 10. The information processing unit 62 also executes preset processing and outputs instructions to the stimulation circuit unit 61. The information processing unit 62 further includes a microcomputer 621 and a memory 622. The operation of the microcomputer 621 will be described later.

[0096] The detection unit 63 is connected to the sensor 631, measures various electrical conditions occurring at a second predetermined site in the human body where the sensor 631 is located, and outputs the results to the information processing unit 62. Here, the second predetermined site is, for example, a membrane, a nerve, or other tissue site, and the sensor 631 measures signals that serve as membrane potential, nerve action potential, organ pressure, tissue impedance, temperature, and other biomarkers, and outputs the results to the information processing unit 62.

[0097] 15(a), a pair of electrodes functioning as a sensor 631 of the detection unit 63 may also be arranged on the extension wiring member 2211. The pair of electrodes of the sensor 631 are also arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, 2 mm or more) and are electrically connected to the detection unit 63 via wiring formed on the extension wiring member 2211.

[0098] It should be noted that the two electrodes functioning as the stimulation electrodes 611 and the two electrodes functioning as the sensor 631, a total of four electrodes, are insulated from each other. However, if one of the stimulation electrodes 611 and one of the electrodes of the sensor 631 are at a common potential, the electrodes at the common potential may be short-circuited.

[0099] An example of the operation of the microcomputer 621 of the information processing unit 62 will now be described. When the microcomputer 621 receives a signal input from the detection unit 63, it stores information representing the content of the signal in the memory 622. Then, the microcomputer 621 sends the information stored in the memory 622 to the power transmitting side device 10 at a predetermined timing. Furthermore, the information processing unit 62 may control the frequency and intensity of the electrical signal for stimulation generated by the stimulation circuit unit 61 based on the signal measured by the detection unit 63, the pulse width if the electrical signal is a pulse signal, and the timing and duration of applying the stimulation.

[0100] In these examples of the present embodiment, the information processing unit 14 is connected to the transmitting / receiving member 13" of the power transmitting side device 10 and transmits and receives information via this transmitting / receiving member 13". When transmitting and receiving this information, various widely known transmission and reception formats, such as NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and RFID wireless communication standards, can be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing unit 14 may transmit and receive this information when power is not being transmitted.

[0101] Similarly, the information processing unit 62 is connected to the transmitting / receiving member 21" of the power receiving side device 20 and transmits and receives information via this transmitting / receiving member 21". This information processing unit 62 transmits and receives information in the same transmission / reception format as the information transmission / reception format adopted by the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10. This information processing unit 62 may also transmit and receive information when power is not being transmitted.

[0102] In addition, in this embodiment, the information processing unit 62 controls the frequency of the electrical stimulation signal generated by the stimulation circuit unit 61 based on the signal measured by the sensor 631 output by the detection unit 63, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the information processing unit 62 may send information representing the signal measured by the detection unit 63 to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10 via the transmitting / receiving members 21", 13".

[0103] In this example, the information processing unit 14 receives the information sent by the information processing unit 62 and determines parameters such as the frequency and intensity of the electrical signal for stimulation generated by the stimulation circuit unit 61, the pulse width if the electrical signal is a pulse signal, and the timing and duration of the stimulation, based on the signal represented by the information.The information processing unit 14 then sends information on the determined parameters to the information processing unit 62 via the transmitting / receiving members 13", 21".

[0104] The information processing unit 62 controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 so that, based on the parameters represented by the information sent from the information processing unit 14, an electrical stimulation determined by the parameters is applied to the first specified area at a timing determined by the parameters.

[0105] In this example, the information processing unit 14 may present information sent from the information processing unit 62 of the power receiving device 20 to the user and determine the parameters etc. in accordance with the user's instructions. The information processing unit 14 may also send the information sent from the information processing unit 62 of the power receiving device 20 to a predetermined server device via a network, accept the parameters determined by calculation in the server device, and send the accepted parameters as they are to the power receiving device 20.

[0106] [Example without battery] Furthermore, the power receiving device 20 of this embodiment does not necessarily have to include a rechargeable battery. In this example, when the power receiving device 20 is to function, the power transmitting device 10 is placed in a location where it can supply power to the power receiving device 20. In this example, the power receiving device 20 may also include a component such as a capacitor that stores supplied power to deal with temporary power supply problems or temporary increases in power consumption and can supply power in the event of a shortage. Since a widely known method can be used for arranging such a capacitor, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0107] [Example of operation of the information processing section] Next, an example of providing stimuli by the operation of the information processing units 14 and 62 will be described. In the following example of this embodiment, the power receiving side device 20 is placed inside the human body, and the power transmitting side device 10 is placed outside the human body. For example, the power transmitting side device 10 may be fixed with a belt or the like to the outer surface of the human body corresponding to the position where the power receiving side device 20 is embedded (a position where power and information can be transmitted and received via the transmitting and receiving members 13", 21"). In this way, when the power transmitting side device 10 is placed in a position where it can supply power while the power receiving side device 20 is operating, the power receiving side device 20 does not need to have a battery, as described above. In addition, here, the information processing unit 62 controls each unit according to instructions received from the information processing unit 14 (including information specifying the mode of providing stimuli).

[0108] 16, the power receiving side device 20 receives power from the power transmitting side device 10 and turns on (S1). At this time, the information processing unit 62 of the power receiving side device 20 determines whether sufficient power is being supplied (S2), and if sufficient power is not being supplied (step S2: No), may notify the power transmitting side device 10 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10 notifies the user of the power transmitting side device 10 that the power being supplied to the power receiving side device 20 is insufficient (S3).

[0109] On the other hand, in step S2, when the information processing unit 62 determines that sufficient power is being supplied (S2: Yes), it starts processing to control each part in accordance with the instructions received from the information processing unit 14 (including information specifying the manner in which the stimulus is to be applied).

[0110] 17 and 18, the information processing unit 62 controls the detection unit 63 to detect an electrical signal at a second predetermined location until an instruction is received from the information processing unit 14. Then, the information processing unit 62 sends information representing the signal detected by the detection unit 63 to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10 (S11: preliminary detection operation). As an example, the information processing unit 62 here generates information classifying the degree of response (determined, for example, by its maximum amplitude, hereinafter referred to as reactivity) based on a signal (generally a signal that changes over time) detected by the detection unit 63 within a predetermined time period (e.g., 5 seconds) into one of three levels: "low," "medium," or "high," and sends the information to the information processing unit 14. In this example, the classification into each level may be performed by setting a lower limit threshold for the reactivity to be determined for each level in advance and determining whether the lower limit threshold for each level is exceeded.

[0111] The information processing unit 14 receives information representing the signal detected by the detection unit 63 of the power receiving device 20 from the information processing unit 62, and generates instructions for controlling the stimulation circuit unit 61 of the power receiving device 20 as needed based on the information (S12).

[0112] As an example, when the reactivity level indicated by the last received information is "medium" or "high," the information processing unit 14 generates an instruction to apply a predetermined type of stimulus for 15 seconds. For example, during period t1 in FIG. 18, the reactivity level indicated by the received information is "low," so the information processing unit 14 does not generate an instruction to apply a stimulus. Therefore, no stimulus is applied after this period (periods during which no stimulus is applied are shown as "off" in FIG. 18. The information processing unit 62 acquires the detection result of the detection unit 63 during periods during which no stimulus is applied).

[0113] 18, the reactivity level indicated by the received information is "medium," so the information processing unit 14 generates an instruction to apply a predetermined type of stimulus for 15 seconds. When the information processing unit 14 generates the instruction, it sends the instruction to the information processing unit 62 (S13).

[0114] The information processing unit 62 receives the instruction sent by the information processing unit 14 and controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 in the manner indicated by the instruction (S14). As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 18, stimulation is applied for a period t3 (15 seconds) after the period t2 (shown as "stimulation on" in Fig. 18).

[0115] After the control of the stimulation circuit unit 61 is completed, the information processing unit 62 further sends information representing the signal detected by the detection unit 63 to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10 (S15, for example, during period t4 in Figure 18).

[0116] The information processing unit 14 receives information representing the signal detected by the detection unit 63 of the power receiving device 20 from the information processing unit 62, generates an instruction for controlling the stimulation circuit unit 61 of the power receiving device 20 based on the information (S16), and sends the generated instruction (S17). Then, the information processing unit 62 receives the instruction sent by the information processing unit 14 and controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 in the mode indicated by the instruction (S18, for example, period t5 in FIG. 18 ).

[0117] Thereafter, the information processing units 14 and 62 repeatedly execute the processes from steps S15 to S18.

[0118] Here, the stimulus application mode included in the instruction generated by the information processing unit 14 includes the duration of the applied electrical stimulus as well as the amplitude, frequency, etc. When generating the instruction in, for example, step S13 or step S16, the information processing unit 14 determines whether or not to apply the electrical stimulus (the timing of applying the electrical stimulus) based on information received immediately before from the information processing unit 14 and representing the signal most recently detected by the detection unit 63, and if it is determined to apply the electrical stimulus, determines parameters for applying the stimulus such as the amplitude, frequency, etc. as well as the duration of the applied electrical stimulus.

[0119] This enables the information processing unit 14 to perform control such as increasing the amplitude of the electrical stimulation applied when the reactivity is "high" (illustrated as "strong" in FIG. 18) compared to the amplitude of the electrical stimulation applied when the reactivity most recently detected by the power receiving device 20 is "medium" (illustrated as "weak" in FIG. 18), or increasing the frequency of the electrical stimulation applied when the reactivity is "high" compared to the frequency of the electrical stimulation applied when the reactivity most recently detected by the power receiving device 20 is "medium."

[0120] In addition, the manner in which a stimulus is to be applied to the information sent by the power receiving device 20 may be manually set in advance by an administrator or the like by controlling the information processing unit 14.

[0121] [Select electrode position] 15(a), the number of stimulation electrodes 611 arranged on the extension wiring member 2211 or the like does not necessarily have to be two; as long as there are two or more, two of the two or more electrodes can be selected and applied when applying stimulation. For example, FIG. 15(b) shows an example in which four stimulation electrodes are arranged between the electrodes of a pair of sensors 631, and each is electrically connected to the stimulation circuit unit 61 through wiring formed on the extension wiring member 2211. In this example, too, the electrodes may be arranged at a predetermined distance (e.g., 2 mm) or more from each other so as not to short-circuit each other (except for electrodes at a common potential).

[0122] In this example, the stimulus application mode may include designation of which electrodes are to be used to apply the stimulus. For example, the information processing unit 14 may instruct the information processing unit 62 to use the electrodes 611a and 611d shown in FIG. 15(b) as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, when applying the stimulus, as one of the parameters representing the stimulus application mode. In this case, the information processing unit 62 controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 to change the potential between the electrodes 611a and 611d at an amplitude and frequency separately specified by the parameters. At this time, the information processing unit 62 does not control the electrodes 611b and 611c (does not generate a potential difference). In another case, the information processing unit 14 may instruct the information processing unit 62 to use the electrodes 611b and 611c shown in FIG. 15(b) as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, when applying the stimulus, as one of the parameters representing the stimulus application mode. In this case, the information processing unit 62 controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 to change the potential between the electrodes 611b and 611c at an amplitude and frequency separately specified by the parameters. At this time, the electrodes 611a and 611d are not controlled (no potential difference is generated).

[0123] In this example, the pair of electrodes of the sensor 631 may be configured so that it is possible to selectively set which one is the GND electrode and which one is the sensing electrode (the electrode that is turned ON; the sensor 631 in this example will detect an electrical signal based on the potential difference between this sensing electrode and the GND electrode).

[0124] [Alternative behavior at the powered device] 17, the preliminary detection operation illustrated in step S11 is not necessarily required. For example, the user may input an instruction to be sent to the information processing unit 62 of the power receiving side device 20 to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10, regardless of the detection result of the preliminary detection operation. In this example, the information processing unit 14 sends the instruction input by the user to the information processing unit 62 in step S13 of FIG.

[0125] This instruction may be a program that causes the information processing unit 62 to perform an operation based on a predetermined conditional branch. For example, this instruction is input via a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a mobile terminal including a smartphone, or the like that is communicably connected to the power transmitting side device 10. In one example of the present embodiment, this instruction is input via a screen such as the one shown in FIG.

[0126] This screen displays in chronological order an example (A) of a signal that was previously sent by the information processing unit 62, received by the information processing unit 14, and detected by the detection unit 63. This signal may further display information (T) indicating the magnitude of the stimulus that was previously applied during the period in which the stimulus was applied.

[0127] This screen also displays an input field for inputting instructions (B). In this input field, it is possible to input the date, identification information (Trial Number) that identifies the instruction, the length of time during which the instruction should be executed (Treatment duration), and the execution mode of the instruction (for example, a mode indicating whether the instruction is executed while communicating with the information processing unit 14 or whether it is executed autonomously by the information processing unit 62 as in the following example).

[0128] This input field (B) also includes input fields for information (b1) that serves as a criterion for determining the reactivity level, and information (b2) for setting the stimulus to be applied. Specifically, in the example of Fig. 19, the criteria for determining the reactivity level based on the detection result of the detection unit 63 are described, and the conditions for the frequency (f) and amplitude (v) of the signal detected by the detection unit 63 are described corresponding to each reactivity level (in the example of Fig. 19, criteria corresponding to "medium" and "high" reactivity levels are shown). These conditions are, for example, "Medium" if the frequency of the signal detected by the detector 63 (for this purpose, the detector 63 is provided with a circuit for detecting the frequency of the signal) is between 100 and 500 Hz and the amplitude is 100 μV or less. If the frequency of the signal detected by the detector 63 (for this purpose, the detector 63 is provided with a circuit for detecting the frequency of the signal) is between 230 and 500 Hz and the amplitude is 200 μV or less, it is judged as "high" Set it as follows.

[0129] The stimulus setting information (b2) in the input field can be set to the time (t) for applying the stimulus, the amplitude (a) of the stimulus to be applied, and the frequency (fs) and pulse width (pw) of the stimulus to be applied. In the example of Fig. 19, one type of stimulus is set, but as already mentioned, different types of stimulus may be set depending on the reactivity of the detected signal.

[0130] Furthermore, this screen may also allow the user to set the electrode position to which stimulation is applied, and may also allow the user to switch the positions of the GND and ON electrodes of the sensor (C).

[0131] That is, an example of an instruction set on this screen is an instruction to be autonomously executed by the information processing unit 62, When the reactivity based on the detection result in the detection unit 63 is "low", nothing is done, When the reactivity based on the detection result in the detection unit 63 is "medium", a stimulus of frequency fs and amplitude a is applied for time t, Even when the reactivity based on the detection result in the detection unit 63 is "high", a stimulus of frequency fs and amplitude a is applied for time t... As already mentioned, the condition may be branched depending on the reactivity, and stimuli of different frequencies, amplitudes, and durations may be applied, but in the following description, it is assumed that the above instructions are sent from the information processing unit 14.

[0132] In this example, the information processing unit 62 receives and stores the instruction sent by the information processing unit 14 in step S14. Then, the information processing unit 62 controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 in a predetermined manner in accordance with the received instruction.

[0133] Therefore, in this example as well, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the stimulus is applied for a period t3 (15 seconds) after the period t2.

[0134] In step S15, after the control of the stimulation circuit unit 61 is completed, the information processing unit 62 acquires information representing the signal detected by the detection unit 63. In this example, the information processing unit 62 executes the process of step S18 without sending the acquired information to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10 (by skipping steps S16 and S17), generates an instruction to control the stimulation circuit unit 61 in accordance with the instruction received from the information processing unit 14, and controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 in the mode indicated by the generated instruction (for example, period t5 in FIG. 18 ).

[0135] Thereafter, the information processing unit 62 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S15 and S18. Furthermore, if the instruction sent by the information processing unit 14 in step S14 includes information about the length of the period during which the instruction should be executed, the information processing unit 62 may stop the processing when the period has elapsed since the start of the processing.

[0136] In this example, when the power receiving side device 20 has a built-in battery, the power transmitting side device 10 does not necessarily have to be located within a range where communication and power supply are possible. When the power receiving side device 20 does not have a built-in battery, the power transmitting side device 10 may continue to supply power to the power receiving side device 20 during the above processing period.

[0137] [Test stimulus application] In addition, in this example, the information processing unit 14 determines the manner in which the power receiving device 20 applies a stimulus based on the most recent signal detected by the power receiving device 20, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0138] For example, the information processing unit 62 of the power receiving side device 20 may control the stimulation circuit unit 61 to apply stimulation in a plurality of different stimulation modes, and at each timing after applying the stimulation in the different stimulation modes, control the detection unit 63 to detect a predetermined electrical signal at a second predetermined part in the human body, and send a signal representing the detection result to the information processing unit 14 of the power transmitting side device 10.

[0139] In this example, responses to stimuli in different stimulation modes are detected and the information is provided, so that the information can be used to determine the subsequent stimulation mode in the information processing unit 14. As an example, this information is presented to an administrator and used as a reference when the administrator manually sets the stimulation mode to be used for information sent by the power receiving device 20.

[0140] [Autonomous operation of the power receiving device] Furthermore, in the above description of the operation example, the power transmitting side device 10 determines the stimulus application mode based on the signal detected by the power receiving side device 20 and controls the power receiving side device 20, but the present embodiment is not limited to this.

[0141] For example, the power transmitting side device 10 may supply power to charge a rechargeable battery included in the power receiving side device 20, and the power transmitting side device 10 may transmit a program to be executed by the information processing unit 62 to control the mode of applying a stimulus. The information processing unit 62, following this program, determines the mode of applying a stimulus in accordance with conditions defined in the program, based on information representing a signal output by the detection unit 63, and controls the stimulation circuit unit 61 to apply the stimulus in the determined mode. Here, the mode of applying a stimulus also includes information such as the duration, intensity (amplitude), and frequency of the stimulus, and, if there are three or more electrodes for applying the stimulus, also includes information representing which electrode is to be used as the positive electrode and which electrode is to be used as the negative electrode for applying the stimulus. In this example, the power transmitting side device 10 does not need to be attached to the human body, and the stimulus illustrated in FIG. 18 is applied by autonomous operation of the power receiving side device 20.

[0142] [Example of placement on the human body] As described above, the power transmitting side device 10 and the power receiving side device 20 of this embodiment are embedded (implanted) in the human body, for example, at a position approximately 1 to 2 cm subcutaneously. The power transmitting side device 10 is placed on the surface of the human body at a position where power can be supplied to the power receiving side device 20. The position of the power receiving side device 20 can be confirmed by touching it from the surface side of the human body.

[0143] The specific placement may be selected depending on the purpose. For example, as illustrated in Figures 20(a) and (b), the power receiving device 20 is placed on the back of the human body, on the pelvis, and the power transmitting device 10 is placed at a position (on the surface of the human body) that allows power to be supplied to that position. The stimulation electrode 611 and the electrodes of the sensor 613 placed on the extension wiring member 2211 may be extended to the sacrum (Figure 20(a)) or may be placed on the spinal cord (Figure 20(b)).

[0144] In addition, the power transmitting side device 10 and the power receiving side device 20 may be placed on the front side of the human body (the side facing the face). In this case, for example, the power receiving side device 20 is placed on the ribs, and the power transmitting side device 10 is placed at a position (on the surface of the human body) where power can be supplied to that position, and the electrodes of the stimulation electrode 611 and the sensor 613 placed on the extension wiring member 2211, etc., may be extended to the brain (Figure 20(c)), the vagus nerve in the neck (Figure 20(d)), or the myocardium (Figure 20(e)) as already exemplified.

[0145] In these examples, the power receiving side device 20 may be, for example, a rectangular plate with sides of approximately 1 cm and a thickness of approximately 0.3 cm. Furthermore, the power transmitting side device 10 may have a shape in which a rectangular main body portion (X) containing the AC power supply unit 11 and the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 is connected to a rectangular power transmitting member portion (Y) containing the power transmitting member, as shown in Fig. 21. Therefore, in this example, the trajectory (W) of the power transmitting member portion (Y) moving in the normal direction along the surface of the power transmitting member portion (Y) is the overlap region.

[0146] These sizes and ratios of length, width, and thickness are merely examples, and in the device of this embodiment, the size and ratios of length, width, and thickness may be different values.

[0147] [Examples other than the human body] In the examples described above, the power receiving device 20 may be placed inside a human body (a human body, which is an example of an animal), but the power receiving device 20 may also be placed inside an animal body other than a human.

[0148] (Example) The following describes an experimental example of power transmission using the power transmission system 1 having the above configuration. In the following example, the power transmitting member and the power receiving member are the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21, respectively.

[0149] Below, we will explain an example of power transmission using a power transmitting side device 10 equipped with the power transmitting side compensation circuit 12 of Figure 2(b) and a power receiving side device 20 equipped with the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 illustrated in Figure 3(b) and an output circuit 23' including a rectifier circuit section 23'x.

[0150] 7 shows an example in which three power receiving devices 20 are arranged to receive power from one power transmitting plate 13. In each power receiving device 20 (hereinafter referred to as power receiving devices 20a, 20b, and 20c for the sake of distinction), the power receiving compensation circuit 22 is arranged at a position 10 mm (power receiving device 20a), 35 mm (power receiving device 20b), and 75 mm (power receiving device 20c) away from the power receiving plate 21, respectively, but in the power receiving device 20a, both the power receiving plate 21 and the power receiving compensation circuit 22 are arranged so that the distance from the power transmitting plate 13 remains the same.

[0151] In addition, in the receiving side device 20b, the distance between the transmitting plate 13 and the receiving plate 21 is the same as in the receiving side device 20a, and the receiving side compensation circuit 22 is arranged outside the transmitting plate 13, adjacent to the edge of the transmitting plate 13.

[0152] In the power receiving side device 20c, the distance between the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 is the same as in the power receiving side devices 20a and 20b, and the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is disposed further outside the power transmitting plate 13, at a position about 40 mm away from the edge of the power transmitting plate 13. In addition, an LED was connected as a load to each of the power receiving side devices 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0153] In the example of FIG. 7, the LEDs connected to the power receiving side devices 20a and 20b are not lit, but the LED connected to the power receiving side device 20c is lit.

[0154] This indicates that power is transmitted when the strength of the electric field formed by the transmitting plate 13 differs between the position where the receiving plate 21 is located and the position where (at least a part of) the receiving side compensation circuit 22 is located.

[0155] Next, an example of power transmission when the position of the power receiving side compensation circuit 22 is arranged at a position 10 mm greater from the power transmitting plate 13 than the distance between the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0156] 8 shows an example in which the change in the current supplied by the power receiving device 20 to the load 30 is measured while changing the frequency of the AC power generated by the AC power supply unit 11 of the power transmitting device 10. In this example, the maximum current amount (16 mA) is obtained when the frequency is around 7 MHz, but when the frequency becomes, for example, around 10 MHz, the current amount supplied to the load 30 is less than 1 mA.

[0157] Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows an example of measurement of changes in the current supplied to the load 30 by the power receiving side device 20 when the alignment (deviation of the centers) of the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 is changed.

[0158] As illustrated in Figure 9, the amount of current supplied to the load 30 peaks when the centers of the power transmitting plate 13 and the power receiving plate 21 are offset by about 20 mm, but it can be seen that the difference in the amount of current supplied to the load 30 is only about 10% compared to when there is no offset from the center.

Claims

1. an implantable device configured to be implanted in a patient's body; at least one information processing unit disposed in the embedded device; The implantable device comprises a detection unit configured to detect an electrical signal at a predetermined detection location within the body at a predetermined time interval, and a stimulation circuit unit configured to apply an electrical stimulus to a predetermined stimulation location within the body, the at least one information processing unit is configured to receive detection information regarding the electrical signal detected by the detection unit at each of the predetermined time intervals, process the detection information for each of the predetermined time intervals, and determine a stimulation mode of the stimulation circuit unit at each of the predetermined time intervals based on the processed detection information.

2. 2. The stimulation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to receive information and instructions regarding stimulation from another information processing unit located outside the body to determine the stimulation mode of the stimulation circuit unit based on the detection information detected by the detection unit.

3. 3. The stimulation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to process the detected information by classifying a degree of response of the electrical signal.

4. The stimulation system of claim 3 , wherein the magnitude of the response is determined based on a maximum amplitude of the electrical signal.

5. The stimulus delivery system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to determine the manner of delivery of the stimulus based on the degree of response of the electrical signal.

6. The stimulus system of claim 5 , wherein the degree of response includes three levels: low, medium, and high.

7. The stimulus delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to select the stimulus delivery manner in which a stimulus is delivered to the predetermined stimulus position when the degree of response is medium or high.

8. 8. The stimulus delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to select the stimulus delivery mode in which no stimulus is delivered to the predetermined stimulus position when the degree of response is low.

9. 9. The stimulus delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to compare a degree of response in a first predetermined time interval with a degree of response in a second predetermined time interval to determine the manner of stimulus delivery.

10. The stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to determine one or more of a duration, an amplitude, and a frequency of the electrical stimulation when the stimulation mode is determined.

11. The stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the stimulation circuit section comprises a plurality of stimulation electrodes.

12. The stimulation system of claim 11 , wherein determining the manner of stimulation delivery includes determining delivery of stimulation from one or more stimulation electrodes of a plurality of stimulation electrodes that deliver the electrical stimulation.

13. The stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the detection unit comprises one or more electrodes configured to detect the electrical signal.

14. The stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one information processing unit is configured to transmit the detection information to another information processing unit arranged outside the body.

15. The stimulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the stimulation location and the detection location are nerves.

16. 16. The stimulation system of claim 15, wherein the nerve is a sacral nerve.

17. The stimulation system of any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a charging device wearable on the body configured to recharge a battery of the implantable device.

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