Hinged Resonant Coil for Implantable Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless power transfer systems for implantable medical devices are limited by the use of rigid coils, which are uncomfortable for patients and cannot conform to the body shape, leading to inefficiencies in power transfer and restricted placement of larger devices due to alignment and positioning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hinged resonator coil design with flexible links and a magnetic shielding element, allowing the coil to conform to the patient's anatomy and adjust its shape for improved power transfer efficiency, including the use of a plurality of links connected by hinges to form a closed loop and a flexible conductor wire for transmitting or receiving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rigid coils are used for wireless power transfer, then manufacturing is easier and wire stress is avoided, but patient comfort deteriorates and the coil cannot conform to body shape
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is divided into multiple rigid links connected by hinges, allowing each link to maintain structural integrity while the overall structure becomes flexible and conformable to body surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The coil structure is transformed into a flexible assembly that can conform to curved body surfaces, improving patient comfort while maintaining the rigid link advantage of avoiding wire stress
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid coils are used for wireless power transfer, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different body positions and orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coil structure transitions from a fixed rigid form to a dynamic configurable form, allowing adjustment to different body positions and orientations while maintaining structural stability through rigid links
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented link structure enables the coil to adapt to various body contours and positions while each individual link maintains its structural integrity
3Manufacturing precision
If the receiver coil is positioned just under the skin with mechanical alignment features, then coil alignment is improved, but device size and power requirements are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical alignment features are replaced with flexible conformable design, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms while maintaining effective power transfer
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 hinged coil design enhances patient comfort and power transfer efficiency by accommodating the body's shape, allowing for effective wireless power transmission to implanted devices, even in non-planar configurations, and includes a locking mechanism to maintain a preferred position for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible conductor wire attached to the coil housing, the flexible conductor wire being configured to transmit or receive wireless power
Implementation Method 2
the resonator is further configured to bend at the hinges to substantially conform to the anatomy of a patient
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and communications are provided. In one embodiment, a resonator of a wireless power transfer system comprises a plurality of links connected to another with hinges to form a coil housing, the coil housing being adjustable at the hinges to conform to a body of a patient, and a flexible conductor wire attached to the coil housing, the flexible conductor wire being configured to transmit or receive wireless power. The resonator can be infinitely adjusted at the hinges to conform the shape of the resonator to a patient's body. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism can be configured to lock the resonator into a preferred position.