Elastically Deformable Base for Capsule Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leadless medical capsules face challenges in energy harvesting due to their small size and autonomous nature, as existing energy harvesting systems often rely on inertial devices that can only convert mechanical energy from organ movements, neglecting the potential energy from fluid flows, which results in insufficient power supply and risk of mechanical stress on the cardiac tissue.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an elastically deformable base that allows the capsule housing to move relative to the cardiac wall, enabling the seismic mass to harvest both mechanical energy from organ movements and fluid forces, thereby increasing energy harvesting efficiency without increasing the mass or volume of the seismic mass, and reducing the risk of mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an inertial energy harvesting device with a seismic mass is used in a leadless capsule, then mechanical energy from organ movements can be converted into electrical energy, but the power supply remains insufficient and mechanical stress on cardiac tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule housing is made elastically deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to blood flow forces. This elastic deformation absorbs mechanical stress that would otherwise be transmitted to the anchoring screw and cardiac tissue, while still enabling the seismic mass to harvest energy from the combined movements of the heart wall and blood flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the housing from rigid to elastically deformable, which fundamentally alters how mechanical energy is transmitted. This allows the system to harvest energy from a wider frequency band including both heart wall movements and blood flow oscillations, while the elastic properties dissipate harmful mechanical stresses.
2Power
If the seismic mass volume is increased to harvest more energy, then power supply improves, but the capsule size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate energy sources into a single harvesting system: the seismic mass now harvests energy from both heart wall movements and blood flow forces simultaneously. The elastically deformable housing acts as a coupling mechanism that transmits both types of mechanical energy to the seismic mass, effectively combining two energy streams without requiring a larger capsule.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable housing serves multiple functions: it protects the internal components, transmits mechanical energy from both heart wall and blood flow to the seismic mass for energy harvesting, and absorbs harmful mechanical stresses. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain compact size while maximizing energy harvesting capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid base is used to anchor the capsule, then stable attachment to cardiac wall is achieved, but energy from fluid flow cannot be harvested and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system transitions from a rigid, static connection to a dynamic, elastically deformable connection. The base can deform under blood flow forces, allowing the capsule to move slightly relative to the anchoring point. This dynamic behavior enables energy harvesting from fluid flow while maintaining stable attachment through the elastic restoring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable base acts as an intermediary between the anchoring screw and the capsule housing. It transmits the anchoring force while allowing relative movement, thereby mediating between the need for stable attachment and the need to harvest energy from fluid flow movements.
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 allows for more effective energy harvesting across a wider frequency band, aligning with typical heart movement and blood flow frequencies, enhancing the power supply for the capsule while reducing the risk of mechanical stress on the cardiac tissue.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillating seismic mass and associated energy harvesting methods to convert a relative movement of the seismic mass relative to the housing into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
an oscillating seismic mass and associated energy harvesting methods to convert a relative movement of the seismic mass relative to the housing into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
an elastically deformable base connected to the housing at a first end and carrying the anchoring at a second end
Data Source
AI summary
A intracorporeal medical capsule is shown and described. The capsule includes an elastically deformable base having an anchor at one end and coupled to a capsule body at the opposite end. An energy harvesting element is elastically coupled to a seismic mass within the capsule body. The elastically deformable base increases energy harvested at the energy harvesting element due to elastic movement of the capsule body in the presence of blood flow around the capsule body.