Implant Charger Positioning With Electromagnetic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging implanted medical devices, such as electrochemical cells or batteries, are inefficient and require frequent replacement, posing risks and inefficiencies due to the limited lifespan of energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an internal charger with a coil implanted in the patient's body and an external charger with a coil that wirelessly transfers energy, utilizing feedback mechanisms to optimize positioning and energy transfer based on impedance variations, electromagnetic coupling, or RFID technology to ensure efficient and safe charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If an electrochemical cell or battery is implanted to supply energy to the medical device, then the device can operate continuously, but the energy source has limited lifetime and requires frequent replacement or recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/surgical replacement procedure with a wireless electromagnetic energy transfer system. An external charger uses electromagnetic induction to transfer energy through the skin to an internal coil, which charges the battery without requiring surgical intervention. This substitutes the mechanical replacement process with a field-based energy transfer mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate wireless charging system consisting of an external charger and internal receiving coil as a mediator between the power source and the implanted battery. This intermediary enables energy transfer without direct physical contact or surgical opening, reducing the complexity and risk of replacement procedures.
2Reliability
If the battery is recharged through surgical removal and replacement, then the energy source can be renewed, but this poses risks to the patient and requires repeated invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the surgical mechanical replacement procedure with a wireless electromagnetic charging system. Energy is transferred inductively through the skin from an external charger to an internal receiving coil, eliminating the need for surgical incisions, device removal, and reimplantation. This significantly improves patient safety and reduces procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous or repeated charging cycles without interrupting the implanted device's operation or requiring surgical intervention. The battery can be recharged multiple times through the wireless charging interface, maintaining continuous useful action without the breaks required by surgical replacement.
3Ease of operation
If a wireless energy transfer system is implemented, then the charging process becomes non-invasive, but optimizing energy transfer efficiency requires complex feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the implanted device measures the electromagnetic field strength generated by the external charger and transmits this information back to the charger. The charger uses this feedback to adjust its output and optimize positioning, ensuring efficient energy transfer. This automated feedback loop simplifies the user experience while managing the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted device performs self-measurement of the electromagnetic field conditions and automatically transmits this information for optimization. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring and reporting its charging status, reducing the need for external monitoring equipment or complex user intervention.
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 system enables efficient, safe, and optimized energy transfer to implanted medical devices, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an internal charger that is arranged to be implanted in the patient's body and includes a coil. The internal charger is arranged to wirelessly receive energy from an external charger also including a coil
Implementation Method 2
The device may e.g. be arranged to transmit feedback information from the internal charger to the external charger, the feedback information e.g. indicating the strength of an electromagnetic field generated by the external charger
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device system for monitoring a physiological parameter in the body of a patient comprising an implantable medical device comprising an energy receiver, an external charger comprising an energy transmitter. The energy receiver is configured to wirelessly receive energy transmitted from the energy transmitter. The medical device system further comprises a wireless feedback system arranged to transmit information from the implantable medical device to the external charger. The information is sent in response to an interrogating signal sent from the external charger. The external charger is configured to detect a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the implantable medical device in response to a transmittal of energy from the external charger and an evaluation unit is configured to determine whether the signal strength is improved as a user moves the external charger relative to the body of the patient.