Integrated Feedthrough Charging Antenna for Smaller AIMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) face space constraints due to the inclusion of charging antennas in the device header, which occupies additional space beyond that required for terminal blocks and their assembly process.
Innovation Solution
The charging antenna is relocated from the device header to the feedthrough insulator, either on the body fluid side made of biocompatible materials like platinum or embedded inside the insulator using less expensive non-biocompatible materials like copper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the charging antenna is housed in the device header, then the charging functionality is maintained, but the device size increases due to additional space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The charging antenna is merged with the feedthrough insulator structure. The antenna is either embedded within the insulator material or supported directly on its surface, combining two previously separate components (antenna and insulator) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate header space dedicated to the antenna while maintaining both charging functionality and electrical isolation properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedthrough insulator is given multiple functions: it continues to provide electrical isolation between primary and secondary circuits while simultaneously serving as the substrate or embedding medium for the charging antenna. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and space requirements in the device header.
2Reliability
If the charging antenna is made from biocompatible material like platinum, then biocompatibility is ensured, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Biocompatible material (platinum) is applied only to the portion of the antenna that contacts body fluid, while non-biocompatible but lower-cost materials (copper, aluminum) can be used for the portions embedded in or supported by the insulator. This localized application of biocompatible material ensures safety requirements are met while minimizing material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure uses composite construction with different materials serving different functions: biocompatible materials for body-fluid-exposed surfaces and less expensive conductive materials for structural or non-exposed portions. This composite approach balances biocompatibility requirements with cost-effectiveness.
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 relocation frees up space in the device header, maintaining charging functionality while reducing the device's overall size without compromising biocompatibility or performance.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive charging antenna is connected to the capacitor or battery powering the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive charging antenna for charging the power source of an active implantable medical device (AIMD) is described. The charging antenna is supported on the body fluid side of the feedthrough insulator, on the device side of the insulator or it is embedded inside the insulator. The charging antenna is connected to electronic circuits housed inside the medical device to charge the power source so that the device can deliver electrical stimulation to a patient and receive sensed biological signals from body tissue, among other functionalities. If the charging antenna is supported on the insulator body fluid side, it is made from a biocompatible material such as platinum. However, if the charging antenna is embedded inside the feedthrough insulator or is supported on the device side of the insulator, it can be made from a less expensive material that is not biocompatible, for example, copper.