Self-Regulating Electrolytic Gas Generator Using Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytic gas generators for subdermal implant devices either continuously generate gas, leading to potential damage due to excess gas accumulation, or require external mechanisms for control, which increase size, cost, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrolytic gas generator with a polymer electrolyte membrane and deformable current collectors that automatically adjust to control gas generation based on pressure, allowing for on-demand gas production and reducing the risk of excess gas buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external control mechanisms are used to regulate gas generation, then gas generation can be controlled, but device size, cost, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable current collector automatically adjusts its electrical connection to the electrode based on gas pressure, enabling the system to self-regulate gas generation without external control mechanisms. When gas accumulates and pressure increases, the current collector deforms to disconnect from the electrode, automatically stopping gas generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates intrinsic feedback through the deformable current collector that responds to gas pressure changes. The mechanical deformation of the current collector in response to pressure creates a feedback loop that automatically modulates electrical current flow, thereby controlling gas generation rate based on real-time pressure conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If gas generation is continuously maintained, then gas supply is consistent, but excess gas accumulation causes tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The current collector transitions from a static electrical connection to a dynamic, pressure-responsive connection. The deformable structure allows the electrical circuit to be automatically opened or closed based on gas pressure conditions, enabling the system to dynamically adjust gas generation to match tissue consumption rates and prevent harmful accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of excess gas pressure is converted into a useful control mechanism. The gas pressure that would otherwise cause tissue damage instead serves as the actuating force that deforms the current collector and automatically interrupts the electrical circuit, thereby eliminating the harm through self-regulation.
3Reliability
If system size is reduced for implantability, then patient safety is improved, but control mechanisms become more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control function from external system components and embeds it directly into the current collector structure itself. By making the current collector deformable and pressure-responsive, the control mechanism is integrated into the existing component rather than adding separate control devices, thereby maintaining safety while minimizing size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical current collection function and the pressure-sensing control function are merged into a single deformable current collector component. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensors, controllers, and actuators, achieving reliable safety control in a miniaturized configuration suitable for implantation.
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 solution enables controlled, self-regulating gas generation, maintaining constant gas activity near the implant, minimizing size, cost, and complexity while ensuring safety and reliability, suitable for implanted medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer electrolyte membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane having opposing first and second faces
Implementation Method 2
a first current collector, the first current collector being electrically-conductive and being reversibly deformable between a first state in which the first current collector is electrically coupled to the first electrode and a second state in which the first current collector is at least partially electrically disconnected from the first electrode
Implementation Method 3
Electrolysis is a common technique for generating such gases and typically involves converting a feedstock (which is often a low cost, stable reactant) to a useful commodity (which is often a high cost or unstable product) using an electrical current
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-regulating electrolytic gas generator and implant system including the same. In one embodiment, the electrolytic gas generator is a water electrolyzer and includes a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side. Anode and cathode seals surround the peripheries of the anode and cathode and include inlets for water and outlets for oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. A cathode current collector is placed in contact with the cathode, and an anode current collector, which may be an elastic, electrically-conductive diaphragm, is positioned proximate to the anode. The anode current collector is reversibly deformable between a first state in which it is in direct physical and electrical contact with the anode and a second state in which it distends, due to gas pressure generated at the anode, so that it is not in physical or electrical contact with the anode, causing electrolysis to cease.