Cochlear Implant Antenna Assembly With Eddy-Current Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cochlear implants are susceptible to inefficiencies due to eddy currents in the metal electronics case, leading to size constraints and suboptimal communication alignment between internal and external antenna coils.
Innovation Solution
An electronics and antenna assembly with a metal case incorporating an electromagnetic shield and antenna/shield cover, along with an MRI-compatible magnet assembly, reduces eddy currents and allows for a more compact design by integrating the antenna within the case, enhancing alignment and communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the antenna is spaced apart from the metal electronics case to reduce eddy currents, then energy loss from eddy currents is reduced, but the device size increases and alignment efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An electromagnetic shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna and the metal electronics case. This shield acts as a mediator that blocks eddy currents in the metal case while allowing the antenna to remain in close proximity to the case, thus reducing energy loss without increasing device size or compromising alignment efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the antenna is spaced apart from the metal electronics case, then eddy current generation is reduced, but communication alignment between internal and external antenna coils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic shield serves as a mediator that enables the antenna to maintain close proximity to the metal electronics case for optimal alignment and communication efficiency, while simultaneously blocking the generation of eddy currents that would cause energy loss
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna is integrated within the metal electronics case, then device size is minimized, but eddy currents are generated reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic shield is positioned between the antenna and the metal electronics case to prevent eddy current generation, allowing the antenna to be integrated within the case structure while maintaining high efficiency by blocking the harmful electromagnetic interactions with the metal case
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
The compact design minimizes eddy currents, improves communication alignment, and reduces the overall size of the cochlear implant while maintaining MRI compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
conventional cochlear implants are susceptible to inefficiencies due to eddy currents in the metal electronics case
Implementation Method 2
Power and in some instances data is supplied to the implanted devices by way of the inductive link between the antenna coils
Implementation Method 3
the cochlear implant includes a positioning magnet that is attracted to a corresponding headpiece magnet to maintain the position of the headpiece antenna over the implant antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics and antenna assembly for use with a medical implant.