Sense-Coil Charger Assembly for IMD Coupling-Aware Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless external chargers for implantable medical devices face challenges in efficiently charging devices due to poor coupling between the charger and the implant, leading to reduced charging speed and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The improved charging system incorporates a charging coil assembly with one or more sense coils that detect alignment and centering with the implantable medical device, adjusting the magnetic field power accordingly to optimize charging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless external charging is used for implantable medical devices, then charging convenience is improved, but coupling efficiency deteriorates leading to reduced charging speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the IMD measures the magnetic field strength generated by the external charger and reports this information back to the charger. The charger uses this feedback to automatically adjust its output power, ensuring optimal charging efficiency. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast charging speed through active power adjustment while preserving wireless charging convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the charging system dynamic by enabling real-time adjustment of charging power based on measured coupling conditions. The external charger transitions from a static fixed-power output to a dynamic system that continuously adapts its power level according to the IMD's feedback about magnetic field strength, thereby maintaining optimal charging speed across varying coupling conditions.
2Ease of operation
If wireless external charging is used for implantable medical devices, then charging convenience is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism enables the external charger to receive information about the actual magnetic field strength and coupling efficiency from the IMD. Based on this feedback, the charger adjusts its power output to match the actual charging needs, avoiding unnecessary power consumption that would occur with fixed high-power output, thus reducing overall energy waste while maintaining wireless charging convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power output parameter of the external charger dynamically based on measured coupling conditions. By adjusting the power level according to the actual magnetic field strength and coupling efficiency, the system optimizes energy usage - consuming more power only when coupling is good and less power when coupling is poor, thereby reducing overall power consumption while preserving charging convenience.
3Productivity
If charging power is increased to improve charging speed, then charging efficiency is improved, but overheating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the external charger continuously adapts its output power level based on real-time feedback about magnetic field strength and coupling conditions. This prevents sustained high-power operation that causes overheating, while still enabling high-speed charging when coupling is optimal. The dynamic adjustment ensures charging speed is maximized only when safe, resolving the contradiction between charging speed and overheating risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism provides the external charger with information about actual charging conditions including magnetic field strength and coupling efficiency. The charger uses this feedback to adjust power output appropriately - increasing power when coupling is good and decreasing power when coupling is poor or when temperature concerns arise, thereby enabling fast charging only under safe conditions and preventing overheating.
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 solution enhances charging efficiency by ensuring optimal alignment and centering, reducing power consumption, and preventing overheating, thus ensuring safe and effective charging of implantable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
an external charger for an implantable medical device, the external charger including a charging coil assembly operable to generate a magnetic field and one or more sense coils
Implementation Method 2
a charging coil assembly operable to generate a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a charging coil and one or more sense coils preferably housed in a charging coil assembly coupled to an electronics module by a cable. The charging coil is preferably a wire winding, while the sense coils are preferably formed in one or more traces of a circuit board. One or more voltages induced on the one or more sense coils can be used to determine one or more parameters (magnitude, phase angle, resonant frequency) indicative of the position between the charging coil and the IMD, which position may include the radial offset and possibly also the depth of the charging coil relative to the IMD. Knowing the position, the power of the magnetic field produced by the charging coil can be adjusted to compensate for the position.