Deformable Charging Coil for Ventricular Assist Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for powering implantable medical devices, such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), face challenges in patient comfort and efficiency due to rigid charging systems that do not conform to the body's anatomy, leading to discomfort and inefficient energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A ventricular assist system with a deformable coil and sensors that adjust the resonant frequency based on deformation, allowing the coil to conform to the patient's anatomy and improve power transfer efficiency while reducing heat generation and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid coil structure is used for wireless charging, then the structural stability and manufacturing simplicity are improved, but the patient comfort and adaptability to body anatomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coil structure is transformed from rigid to dynamically adaptable through the use of deformable materials. The coil can change its shape and conform to different body surfaces while maintaining its functional integrity, allowing it to adapt to various anatomical locations such as the chest or abdomen for wireless charging of implantable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil is constructed using flexible materials that allow it to bend and conform to body contours. This flexible construction enables the charging device to adapt to different patient anatomies and body positions while maintaining stable electromagnetic coupling for efficient power transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coil is made deformable to conform to body anatomy, then the patient comfort and adaptability are improved, but the structural stability and manufacturing complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The material properties of the coil are changed to achieve deformability while maintaining structural integrity. By selecting materials with appropriate mechanical and electromagnetic parameters, the coil can conform to body surfaces without requiring complex structural designs or assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil utilizes composite material structures that combine flexible substrates with conductive elements. This composite approach provides both the necessary deformability for body conformation and the structural stability for reliable electromagnetic coupling, while simplifying manufacturing through integrated material construction.
3Ease of operation
If the coil deforms to match patient anatomy, then the patient comfort is improved, but the power transfer efficiency may deteriorate due to changes in coil inductance and resonant frequency
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the coil structure to detect deformation and provide feedback signals to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as driving frequency and power level to compensate for changes in coil inductance caused by deformation, thereby maintaining optimal power transfer efficiency throughout the charging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operating characteristics in response to coil deformation. By continuously monitoring the coil state and adjusting the resonant frequency and power delivery accordingly, the system maintains efficient energy transfer even as the coil conforms to different body positions and anatomical surfaces.
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 system enhances patient comfort and power transfer efficiency by dynamically adjusting the coil's properties to match the patient's anatomy, ensuring effective and safe charging of implantable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive coupling device for transcutaneously charging a ventricular assist device. The inductive coupling device includes: a flexible housing defining an internal volume, a resonant circuit including a coil disposed within the internal volume of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a resonant circuit including a coil disposed within the internal volume of the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and devices for improving wireless power transmission are disclosed herein. The system can include an implantable medical device that can include an energy storage component and a secondary coil electrically coupled to the energy storage component. The system can include a charging device. The charging device can include a flexible housing defining an internal volume, a resonant circuit, a plurality of sensors coupled to the primary coil, and processor. The resonant circuit can include a deformable primary coil located within the internal volume of the housing. The processor can determine a deformation of the primary coil based on at least one signal received from at least one of the plurality of sensors.