Dynamic Capacitor Stacking for IMD Waveform Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is hindered by the need for complex circuitry that increases power consumption and footprint, limiting the longevity of battery-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of dynamically configured capacitors in stacked configurations, coupled through a delivery bridge, generates therapy stimulation waveforms with a stepped/ramped leading edge, reducing power consumption and capture thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex circuitry is used to improve technological capability and functionality of IMDs, then device performance is improved, but power consumption increases and device longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple capacitor functions into a single integrated circuit element that can dynamically reconfigure its internal structure. The capacitor integrates energy storage, waveform generation, and timing functions that would traditionally require separate circuit components, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity and power consumption while maintaining advanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the capacitor's internal structure through voltage-controlled switching between series and parallel connections of internal capacitor elements. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its electrical characteristics in real-time to optimize therapy delivery while consuming minimal power, as the reconfiguration uses existing voltage rails rather than requiring additional power-consuming control circuitry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex circuitry with increased component count is used to improve device functionality, then technological capability is advanced, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated capacitor combines multiple discrete components into a single device, including capacitor elements, switching transistors, and control logic. This integration dramatically reduces the board space required while maintaining the complex functionality needed for advanced IMD operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor structure employs nested configuration where multiple capacitor elements are arranged in a compact stacked or series-parallel arrangement within a single integrated component footprint. This nesting allows complex multi-element circuits to be contained within a minimal area.
3Device complexity
If conventional therapy stimulation waveforms are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but capture thresholds are higher and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor dynamically reconfigures its internal connection topology during the therapy pulse delivery, transitioning between series and parallel configurations to generate the optimized stepped/ramped waveform. This dynamic waveform generation achieves lower capture thresholds and reduced power consumption without requiring external waveform generation circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the therapy waveform by dynamically altering the capacitor's equivalent capacitance and voltage output characteristics. By reconfiguring internal connections, the capacitor produces waveforms with optimized rise times and voltage profiles that reduce capture thresholds while maintaining simplicity in the generating circuitry.
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 reduces power consumption and extends the longevity of IMDs by efficiently delivering therapy with lower energy requirements, mimicking cardiac cell response times for optimal energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The therapy delivery circuit includes a plurality of capacitors that are stacked in one of multiple dynamically-alterable configurations and coupled to a delivery bridge for delivery of the therapy
Data Source
AI summary
Recent advancements in power electronics technology have provided opportunities for enhancements to circuits of implantable medical devices. The enhancements have contributed to increasing circuit miniaturization and an increased efficiency in the operation of the implantable medical devices. The therapy delivery circuits and techniques of the disclosure facilitate generation of a therapy stimulation waveform that may be shaped based on the patient's physiological response to the stimulation waveform. The generated therapy stimulation waveforms include a stepped leading-edge that may be shaped having a varying slope and varying amplitudes associated with each of the segments of the slope. Unlike the truncated exponential waveform delivered by the conventional therapy delivery circuit which is based on the behavior of the output capacitors (i.e., i=C(dV/dt)), the stimulation waveform of the present disclosure may be dynamically shaped as a function of an individual patient's response. The dynamically shaped therapy stimulation waveforms facilitate achieving lower capture thresholds which reduces the device's supply consumption thereby increasing longevity of the device and facilitate a reduction of tissue damage.