Medical Device Control Unit Antenna Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical apparatus control units with implantable elements face challenges in achieving optimized radio communication while ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and minimizing transmission power and signal damping, particularly when used in proximity to a patient's body to avoid interference with implanted devices.
Innovation Solution
The control unit is configured with a radio module and antenna arrangement that shields the patient's body from electromagnetic radiation, using electrically conductive housing parts and strategically positioning the antenna to minimize radiation penetration, and can be designed with a partially or fully electrically insulating housing to allow for efficient communication while maintaining EMC protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antenna is integrated into the control unit for radio communication, then communication capability is improved, but electromagnetic radiation exposure to the patient's body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated housing structure where specific regions have different electromagnetic properties. The housing includes both electrically conductive regions (for shielding) and electrically insulating/permeable regions (for antenna operation). This allows the antenna to be positioned in a region where it can communicate effectively while the conductive housing parts shield the patient's body from excessive radiation exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrically conductive housing parts are used to shield the patient's body, then electromagnetic radiation exposure is reduced, but radio signal transmission quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into functionally distinct regions: electrically conductive parts that provide electromagnetic shielding for the patient's body, and electrically insulating or permeable parts that allow radio signals to pass through. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of both shielding and communication requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing have different electromagnetic properties tailored to their specific functions. The conductive regions are positioned to shield the patient's body, while insulating or permeable regions are positioned to facilitate antenna operation and signal transmission, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.
3Reliability
If the control unit is positioned close to the patient's body for monitoring, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but interference with implanted devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure creates local electromagnetic quality variations that allow the control unit to be positioned close to the patient's body for effective monitoring while the conductive shielding regions prevent harmful interference with implanted devices. The antenna is positioned in permeable regions to maintain communication capability.
4Reliability
If transmission power is increased to ensure reliable communication, then communication reliability is improved, but electromagnetic radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The differentiated housing structure with permeable and conductive regions enables efficient signal transmission with lower power requirements. The permeable regions minimize signal damping, allowing reliable communication at lower transmission power levels, thereby reducing electromagnetic radiation exposure to the patient's body.
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 configuration enables effective, interference-free communication with external transceivers while minimizing radiation exposure to the patient's body, ensuring reliable operation of medical devices like heart pumps while adhering to strict EMC requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the region in which the patient's body is intended to be positioned, as considered from the control unit, is shielded from the antenna at least in part by electromagnetically shielding, in particular electrically conductive parts of the control unit or housing thereof
Implementation Method 2
A communication interface, which is often designed as a radio interface with the aid of a radio module, is required at control units of this kind for many purposes
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus is provided that includes an implantable element, in particular a heart pump, and a control unit for the implantable element, which control unit is connected to the implantable element by means of a first connection. The problem of arranging an antenna of a radio module on the control unit expediently and favourably is solved in that the control unit is configured for arrangement outside the patient's body and has a predetermined orientation relative to the patient's body and has a radio module, wherein an antenna of the radio module is arranged in such a way that the region in which the patient's body is intended to be positioned, as considered from the control unit, is shielded from the antenna at least in part by electromagnetically shielding, in particular electrically conductive parts of the control unit or housing thereof.