Flexible Battery Electronics Integration for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices require frequent battery replacements, necessitating multiple surgeries and causing discomfort and potential complications due to the separate placement of power sources and electronic components, which is cumbersome and invasive.
Innovation Solution
A flexible battery and electronics configuration that integrates power sources and electronic components into a single, string-like or snake-like structure, allowing for easy placement and replacement without major surgery, using a semi-rigid sheath for subcutaneous implantation and enabling minor surgical procedures for battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery and electronics are contained in a separate can positioned apart from electrical leads, then the device can be implanted with leads positioned within the heart and can positioned under the collarbone, but the patient must undergo major surgery and repeated surgeries for battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery, electronics, and electrical leads into a single integrated flexible device structure. The circuit board serves as both the electronic component carrier and the structural backbone that incorporates the battery and lead extensions, eliminating the need for a separate can and simplifying implantation to a single minor surgical procedure.
2Quantity of substance
If the can is made substantially bulky to house battery and electronics, then the device can contain all necessary components, but the patient may suffer discomfort and risk erosion of the device through the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional bulky can structure to a two-dimensional flexible circuit board configuration. The battery and electronics are distributed across the surface area of the flexible circuit board, allowing the device to conform to the patient's body contour and eliminate discomfort associated with bulky implants while maintaining all necessary component capacity.
3Device complexity
If the battery is integrated into the device as a non-removable component, then the device structure is simplified, but the entire device must be replaced when the battery dies requiring major surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into modular components on the flexible circuit board, where the battery can be independently accessed and replaced. The circuit board design allows the battery to be detached and replaced without removing the entire device, enabling simple battery replacement procedures while maintaining an integrated overall device structure.
4Reliability
If electrical leads are positioned within the heart requiring major surgery, then the device can measure heart electrical activity and provide stimulation, but the patient faces complex medical procedures and potential complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical leads and their connection points directly onto the flexible circuit board that also houses the battery and electronics. This integration allows the leads to be positioned within the heart while the main device body can be placed in more accessible locations, reducing surgical complexity and invasiveness while maintaining full device functionality for measuring heart electrical activity and providing stimulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Encapsulation configuration for electronic components in a flexible implantable medical device, including a first encapsulation section and a second encapsulation section, the first encapsulation section including a plurality of circuit boards (CBs), each CB including at least one electronics component and a plurality of connection cables, wherein each CB has a generally circular shape and wherein each connection cable electrically couples adjacent ones of the plurality of CBs alternatively at opposite ends, thereby giving the encapsulation configuration an accordion-like shape when folded, the second encapsulation section including a flat CB, including a plurality of electronics components, wherein the flat CB has a generally rectangular shape, wherein the plurality of electronics components are positioned on both sides of the flat CB with taller ones of the plurality of electronics components positioned closer to the center of the flat CB and shorter ones of the plurality of electronics components positioned closer to the edges of the flat CB, thereby achieving optimal volume consumption in the flat CB, wherein the first encapsulation section is coupled with the second encapsulation section with a flat connection cable, and wherein the encapsulation configuration has a cylindrical shape.