Capacitor-Discharge Intra-body Communication for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical systems face challenges in low-power intra-body communication, particularly when coordinating ventricular pacing with intrinsic depolarization, as existing methods often require high power consumption and can confuse intrinsic events with communication pulses, leading to inefficient charge balancing and potential misinterpretation of signals.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical system utilizing a bank of capacitors connected in series, discharged in an encoded sequence to generate signals for intra-body communication, with a DC blocking capacitor and a control unit managing charging and discharging, allowing for efficient communication between devices while keeping charges sub-threshold for nerve or cardiac stimulation, and incorporating a non-linear pre-processor for noise reduction and digital output conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional conductive communication using individual pulses is used, then communication between implantable devices is achieved, but power consumption increases and charge balancing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic capacitor discharge pulses at specific frequencies (e.g., 20-50 Hz for communication, distinguished from cardiac rates) to enable reliable communication while maintaining simple charge balancing. The periodic nature allows the receiver to distinguish communication pulses from intrinsic cardiac events through frequency discrimination, reducing the need for complex charge balancing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the discharge pulses to a range (20-50 Hz) that is distinct from normal cardiac rates, allowing the receiving device to differentiate communication signals from intrinsic cardiac events. This parameter change simplifies the receiving device's signal processing and reduces power consumption by eliminating the need for continuous monitoring at full sensitivity.
2Ease of operation
If pacing pulses are delivered in the refractory period following intrinsic depolarization, then ventricular pacing coordination is achieved, but the same frequency bandwidth is used causing potential signal confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system uses periodic capacitor discharge pulses at frequencies (20-50 Hz) that are distinct from intrinsic cardiac depolarization rates. This periodic action at a differentiated frequency allows the receiving device to distinguish communication pulses from pacing or intrinsic events, preventing signal confusion while maintaining effective pacing coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of communication pulses to a range (20-50 Hz) that is deliberately selected to be distinguishable from both intrinsic cardiac rates and pacing rates. This parameter differentiation ensures that communication signals do not confuse the receiving device's event detection, maintaining accurate signal interpretation while enabling effective pacing coordination.
3Speed
If high frequency pulse trains are used for communication, then data transmission speed increases, but power consumption in the receiving device increases due to continuous amplifier operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic capacitor discharge communication pulses at optimized frequencies (20-50 Hz) that balance data transmission needs with power consumption constraints. The periodic nature allows the receiving amplifier to operate in a lower-power mode between pulses, only activating fully when a pulse is detected, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate transmission speed for coordination functions.
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 approach enables low-power, efficient close-proximity device-to-device communication suitable for leadless cardiac rhythm management systems, reducing power consumption and minimizing interference with intrinsic tissue depolarizations, allowing for precise communication and reduced energy expenditure in implantable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of capacitors which are discharged in an encoded sequence, resulting in a signal in a reception band of an additional implantable device in the body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an implantable medical system (1) for intra-body communication, comprising: an implantable first device (2) comprising a plurality of capacitors (102), wherein the first device (2) is configured to discharge said capacitors (102) in an encoded sequence to generate a signal (S), and particularly an implantable second device (3), wherein the second device (3) is configured to receive said signal (S) and to use the information contained in said signal (S) for performing a function.