Auto-configuration Circuit for Implantable Medical Device Safety Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in reliability and design flexibility due to fixed safety mode configurations, which do not accommodate changing therapeutic needs and can be compromised by errors or failures, leading to reduced functionality and potential harm to patients.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an auto-configuration system within IMDs, utilizing a non-volatile memory circuit to store configuration data, a reset circuit to generate a reset signal, and a startup circuit to transfer data to configuration registers, enabling flexible configuration for safety mode operation without involving compromised normal operating circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed safety mode configurations are used in IMDs, then device reliability is maintained through predetermined safe operation, but design flexibility is reduced and the device cannot adapt to changing therapeutic needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads multiple safety mode configuration profiles into non-volatile memory during manufacturing. When the device enters safety mode, the startup circuit automatically selects and applies an appropriate pre-configured profile based on the failure condition, eliminating the need for complex real-time configuration decisions while maintaining adaptability to different therapeutic needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic changing of configuration parameters by storing multiple safety mode profiles with different operational parameters in non-volatile memory. The startup circuit can switch between these profiles by changing parameter values, allowing the device to adapt its safety behavior to different failure scenarios and therapeutic requirements without compromising reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If normal operating circuits are used for configuration, then device functionality is maintained, but configuration may be compromised by errors or failures in those circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety mode configuration function from the normal operating controller circuit and implements it in a separate startup circuit that operates independently during device initialization. This separation ensures that configuration errors or failures in the normal controller do not compromise safety mode configuration, as the startup circuit uses dedicated hardware logic and non-volatile memory to establish safe operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-volatile memory as an intermediary between the startup circuit and configuration registers. This intermediary stores configuration data independently of the controller circuit, allowing the startup circuit to load verified safe configuration profiles without relying on the potentially compromised normal operating circuits, thus ensuring configuration reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex configuration systems are implemented to increase adaptability, then design flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by pre-configuring multiple safety mode profiles during manufacturing and storing them in non-volatile memory. The startup circuit uses simple hardware logic to automatically select and apply the appropriate pre-configured profile based on failure conditions, achieving high adaptability without requiring complex real-time configuration algorithms or additional processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device comprises a non-volatile memory circuit including a configuration memory portion to store auto-configuration data for the IMD, a controller circuit, a reset circuit adapted to generate a reset signal and disable the controller circuit, and a startup circuit adapted to transfer the auto-configuration data from the configuration memory portion to one or more configuration registers in response to the reset signal, wherein values of the one or more configuration registers configure the IMD for a safety mode operation.