Wireless Energy Transfer Coil Positioning for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless energy transfer systems for implanted medical devices face challenges in accurately controlling the amount of energy transferred, leading to inefficiencies and potential tissue damage due to variations in coil alignment and spacing, resulting in either insufficient or excessive energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the required energy for a medical device, transmit a control signal to adjust the energy transfer efficiency between an external energy source and an internal receiver, using position and distance adjusting motors to optimize the alignment and distance between coils, thereby regulating the energy transfer efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the primary coil is positioned close to the skin adjacent to and in alignment with the secondary coil to achieve highest transfer efficiency, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to maintain optimal position due to patient movements, causing variation in transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual energy transfer efficiency and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the primary coil position or operating parameters to maintain optimal efficiency despite patient movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static coil positioning approach to a dynamic adjustment mechanism that continuously adapts the primary coil position or orientation in response to changing conditions caused by patient movement, ensuring sustained optimal energy transfer
2Use of energy by moving object
If the amount of energy supplied to the medical device is increased to compensate for low transfer efficiency, then sufficient energy for device operation is achieved, but excessive energy transfer causes temperature increase that may damage surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors temperature or temperature-related parameters and feeds this information back to the control unit, which adjusts the energy transfer rate to prevent excessive heating while ensuring sufficient power delivery to the medical device
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters such as frequency, amplitude, or coil positioning to optimize energy transfer efficiency, thereby delivering sufficient energy to the device without causing excessive heat generation in surrounding tissues
3Power
If the relative position of coils changes unintentionally increasing transfer efficiency, then more energy is transferred from primary to secondary coil, but the implant cannot consume the high amount of supplied energy, resulting in heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the actual power transfer and device power consumption, comparing the two to detect mismatches. When excessive power is transferred, the feedback mechanism reduces the transfer rate to prevent implant overheating
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically regulates energy transfer based on real-time monitoring of device power consumption and transfer efficiency, eliminating the need for external intervention to prevent overheating
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 ensures consistent and accurate energy delivery to the medical device, minimizing tissue damage and maintaining optimal operation by dynamically adjusting energy transfer efficiency based on real-time requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A TET device typically comprises an external energy source including a primary coil adapted to inductively transfer any amount of wireless energy, by inducing voltage in a secondary coil
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for supplying energy to an. electrically operable, medical device (100) implanted in 'a patient. Wireless energy is transferred from an external energy source (104) located outside the patient to an internal energy receiver (102) located inside the patient and connected to the medical device. An internal control unit (108) determines an amount of energy currently required for the operation of said medical device. A control signal is transmitted to the external energy source, reflecting the required amount of energy. An external control unit (106) controls the amount of transferred energy in response to the control signal, by adjusting the energy transfer efficiency from the external energy source to the internal energy receiver. The energy transfer efficiency is adjusted by adjusting the position of a primary coil, serving as the external energy source, relative to an implanted secondary coil, serving as the internal energy source.