Implantable Medical Device Communication Using Minimal Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies for implantable medical devices require close contact and significant pressure for data transmission, which can be uncomfortable for patients and limit device acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A device with transmission or reception elements that utilize minimal pressure, provided by the patient's body mass or interaction, to enable communication with implantable medical devices, such as acoustic or conductive methods, where pressure is detected and used to control communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If acoustic or conductive communication techniques are used for data transmission, then energy consumption is reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates due to the need for close contact and significant pressure on the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive gel as an intermediary substance between the transducer/electrodes and the patient's skin. This gel improves the coupling efficiency for acoustic or conductive communication while reducing the required contact pressure, thereby maintaining low energy consumption without compromising patient comfort. The gel acts as a mediator that enhances the transmission medium properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the contact interface by using a conductive gel that changes the acoustic impedance matching and electrical conductivity between the transducer and skin. This parameter change allows effective communication at lower pressures, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and patient comfort.
2Ease of operation
If RF transmission is used for communication, then patient comfort is improved by eliminating the need for close contact, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based communication (acoustic/conductive) with a field-based approach (RF or near-field coupling) that does not require physical pressure on the skin. This substitution eliminates the discomfort associated with prolonged skin contact and pressure while enabling wireless or minimally-contact communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device is designed to support multiple communication modes (RF, acoustic, conductive), allowing it to automatically select the most appropriate mode based on the situation. This multi-functionality enables the system to achieve both patient comfort and energy efficiency by choosing the optimal communication path.
3Reliability
If significant pressure is applied to ensure reliable acoustic or conductive communication, then communication reliability is improved, but patient comfort and device acceptance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive gel serves as a mediator that enhances the reliability of acoustic and conductive communication by improving the coupling between the transducer and skin, while simultaneously reducing the required contact pressure. This allows reliable communication without the need for significant pressure, thereby maintaining device acceptance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of contact pressure and communication quality, and automatically adjusts parameters or provides feedback to ensure reliable communication is established before therapy begins. This preliminary action ensures communication reliability without requiring excessive pressure during normal operation.
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
Improves patient comfort and ease of use by allowing communication with implantable medical devices using minimal contact pressure, enhancing the acceptance and usability of these devices.
Implementation Method 1
communication using acoustic transmission or conductive connection
Implementation Method 2
communication using acoustic transmission or conductive connection using the body as conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system and method that communicate with at least one implantable medical device (IMD). The device includes a unit and a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. A minimum pressure required for the contact between transmission or reception elements and skin is provided by gravity or by patient interaction with the device. The system includes the at least one IMD, the unit that communicates with the at least one IMD and the device having the at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with an IMD, and enabling communication upon detection of a minimum pressure on the surface. The communication with the IMD is acoustic or conductive.