Feedthrough-Integrated Charging Antenna for Smaller AIMD Headers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) requires additional space in the device header for the charging antenna, which is not optimal for minimizing device size.
Innovation Solution
The charging antenna is integrated into the feedthrough insulator, either on the body fluid side or embedded within it, using biocompatible materials like platinum or less expensive materials like copper, depending on exposure to bodily fluids.
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 header size increases due to additional space requirements for the antenna and its support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The charging antenna is merged with the feedthrough insulator structure, where the antenna is formed as an integrated part of the insulator body. This combination eliminates the need for separate antenna housing space in the header while maintaining charging functionality through the insulator's structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedthrough insulator serves multiple functions: it provides electrical isolation, structural support for terminal pins, and houses the charging antenna. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and space requirements in the device header.
2Volume of moving object
If the charging antenna is supported on the body fluid side of the feedthrough insulator, then space is saved in the header, but biocompatible materials like platinum are required
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator structure is designed with differentiated zones: the body fluid side portion is made from biocompatible material to ensure safety, while the device side portion can use less expensive materials. This local quality differentiation allows cost optimization without compromising biocompatibility where it is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedthrough insulator employs composite construction with biocompatible materials on the body fluid side and potentially less expensive materials on the device side. This composite approach maintains biocompatibility requirements while reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Volume of moving object
If the charging antenna is embedded inside the feedthrough insulator, then header space is reduced and biocompatible materials are not required, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is pre-formed and integrated into the insulator structure during the insulator manufacturing process itself, rather than being assembled separately afterward. This preliminary action simplifies the overall assembly process by eliminating separate antenna installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna formation process is merged with the insulator manufacturing process, where the antenna is created as an integral part of the insulator body through the same fabrication steps. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and assembly operations required.
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 design frees up space in the device header, maintaining charging functionality while ensuring biocompatibility where necessary, thus reducing the overall size of the AIMD.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive charging antenna is connected to the capacitor or battery powering the medical device
Data Source
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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.