Implantable Biosensor Power Stabilization via Solar Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable biomedical devices, such as biosensors, face power instability due to environmental and behavioral variations, leading to fluctuations that affect their functionality and data accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell/storage capacitor combination is used to power implantable biosensors, with a transistor switch controlling energy flow and a finite-state machine architecture enabling sensor operation and data transmission, minimizing interference and ensuring stable power delivery through pulsed light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If RF or solar powered units are used to power implantable devices, then wireless power transmission is achieved, but power stability deteriorates due to environmental changes and patient behavior variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by charging the storage capacitor in advance during periods when power is available (when light is received by solar cells). This stored energy is then available to maintain stable operation during periods when external power is unavailable or unstable, thus resolving the contradiction between wireless power transmission and power stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a storage capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the solar cells and the implantable device circuits. This intermediary buffers the fluctuations in power generation from solar cells, converting variable renewable energy into stable power supply, thereby resolving the contradiction between using solar power and maintaining power stability.
2Loss of energy
If solar cells are used to power implantable devices, then renewable energy is utilized, but power fluctuations occur due to variations in light reception
Solution Approach 1:
The storage capacitor serves as an intermediary that decouples the solar cells from the load. It absorbs energy when solar cells generate excess power and releases energy when generation is insufficient, thereby smoothing out power fluctuations and maintaining stable operation of the implantable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing energy storage capability, allowing the system to operate in different modes (charging mode when light is available, discharging mode when light is unavailable). This parameter change enables the system to maintain stable power output despite variations in solar energy input.
3Reliability
If continuous operation of biosensor is required, then accurate monitoring is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by operating the biosensor and transmission components in cycles rather than continuously. The system activates the biosensor during charged periods to perform measurements and transmits data in periodic bursts, thereby maintaining monitoring accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides robust and stable power to implantable biosensors, reducing fluctuations and ensuring accurate data transmission by using a storage capacitor to stabilize energy supply and enable efficient sensor operation during both power-on and power-off cycles.
Implementation Method 1
an implantable device for measuring biological information of a body includes solar cells configured to receive optical energy and convert the optical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a storage capacitor associated with the solar cells such that the electrical energy is received by and stored in the storage capacitor
Implementation Method 3
an internal photodetector receiver configured to receive a light wavelength that is different from an external unit and which is configured to generate pulses that can be used to enable selected outputs of the mode select logic unit
Implementation Method 4
transmitting optically the biological characteristic data to an external photodetector receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body is provided, wherein the implantable device includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic energy and converting the electromagnetic energy into electrical energy; a storage capacitor associated with the receiver such that the electrical energy from the receiver is stored in the storage capacitor; a biological sensor; a processing device; and a transmitter, wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured to receive electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured such that when the receiver is receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive and when the receiver is not receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive.