Dynamic Recharge Parameter Adjustment for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face limitations in mobility and flexibility during charging due to cumbersome external chargers that require patient intervention and proximity, which restricts their ability to charge or recharge devices seamlessly during daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A passive recharging system that includes a secondary coil for the implantable medical device, an external power source with a primary coil and modulation circuit, and sensors to adjust the carrier frequency based on voltage and temperature feedback, allowing for automatic and efficient energy transfer without patient intervention, enabling charging during normal daily activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional external charger is used for transcutaneous energy transfer, then the battery can be recharged, but the patient's mobility and flexibility are limited due to the need for conscious contact or proximity with the charging device
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the patient's presence and initiates charging without requiring conscious patient action. The external charger monitors for the patient's approach and autonomously begins transcutaneous energy transfer, allowing the patient to charge the device passively during normal activities like sleeping or walking by.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect patient presence and provides feedback to the control circuit, which automatically adjusts charging parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the charger to respond dynamically to patient movement and presence, maintaining charging efficiency while preserving patient mobility.
2Productivity
If the external charger is positioned close to the internal coil for efficient energy transfer, then charging efficiency improves, but the patient's freedom of movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on real-time detection of patient presence and position. The control circuit modifies energy transfer characteristics in response to changing conditions, allowing efficient charging regardless of the patient's movement or distance from the charger.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as carrier frequency and power level based on detected patient conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains charging efficiency across varying patient positions and movements without requiring fixed positioning.
3Reliability
If the patient remains in contact with or proximity to the external charger, then charging occurs, but the patient's flexibility during daily activities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charger autonomously monitors for patient presence and initiates charging without requiring the patient to take any specific action. This self-service capability ensures reliable charging while allowing the patient to move freely and engage in normal daily activities without conscious intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for charging by continuously monitoring for patient presence and pre-configuring charging parameters. When the patient approaches, charging is already primed to begin immediately, ensuring reliable energy transfer while maintaining patient flexibility and natural movement patterns.
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 allows for continuous, efficient, and automatic charging of implantable medical devices, increasing mobility and flexibility for patients by enabling charging during daily routines, such as sleeping, sitting, or walking, without the need for conscious patient interaction.
Implementation Method 1
an external power source which includes a primary coil and a modulation circuit operatively coupled to the primary coil, the modulation circuit being capable of driving the primary coil at a carrier frequency when the primary coil is in proximity to the secondary coil
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor associated with the implantable medical device and in communication with the modulation circuit, the first sensor being capable of sensing a first condition indicating a need to adjust the carrier frequency
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor associated with the implantable medical device and in communication with the modulation circuit, the second sensor being capable of sensing a second condition which is affected by the carrier frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A recharging system and method for an implantable medical device includes: a secondary coil associated with the implantable medical device; an external power source including a primary coil and a modulation circuit operatively coupled to the primary coil, the modulation circuit being capable of driving the primary coil at a carrier frequency when the primary coil is in proximity to the secondary coil and of varying the carrier frequency in response to sensor data received from the implantable medical device; a first sensor associated with the implantable medical device and in communication with the modulation circuit, the first sensor capable of sensing a first condition indicating a need to adjust the carrier frequency during a charging process; and a second sensor associated with the implantable medical device and in communication with the modulation circuit, the second sensor capable of sensing a second condition which is affected by the carrier frequency.