Implant Control Assembly Fixation for Wireless Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices implanted in the body face challenges in maintaining a secure and fixed position for efficient energy transfer and operation, particularly when using wireless energy transfer systems, as they often require subcutaneous placement to minimize distance and avoid penetration through the skin.
Innovation Solution
A control assembly is designed with two units on opposite sides of the body tissue, connected by an interconnecting device, allowing for subcutaneous placement and fixation, which includes an energy receiver and other functional parts like pumps or motors, with units smaller than the assembled assembly for easy implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the control assembly is placed subcutaneously to minimize distance for energy transfer, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the assembly becomes difficult to keep in a fixed position
Solution Approach 1:
The control assembly is divided into two separate units: a first unit placed subcutaneously for wireless energy reception, and a second unit placed in the body cavity for device control. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimally positioned for its specific function while maintaining fixed positions through the interconnecting device.
Solution Approach 2:
An interconnecting device acts as a mediator between the first and second units. This intermediary component spans the body tissue, mechanically connecting the subcutaneous unit to the intracavity unit, thereby securing both units in fixed positions relative to each other and to the body tissue.
2Measurement precision
If the control assembly is kept in a fixed position for accurate energy transfer, then energy transfer precision is improved, but implantation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into two separately implantable units connected by an interconnecting device. This allows the surgeon to implant each unit independently through separate access points, simplifying the implantation procedure while ensuring the units maintain their precise positions for energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnecting device extends through the body tissue in a dimension perpendicular to the skin surface, creating a three-dimensional configuration. This spatial arrangement allows both units to be positioned optimally for energy transfer precision while being accessible through standard surgical approaches.
3Reliability
If the control assembly is divided into two units on opposite sides of body tissue, then fixation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control assembly is segmented into two functional units positioned on opposite sides of the body tissue, with the interconnecting device providing mechanical linkage. This segmentation improves fixation reliability by distributing the assembly across different anatomical locations while the interconnecting device maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnecting device merges the first and second units into a single functional system. By providing mechanical interconnection, it combines the subcutaneous energy receiver unit with the intracavity control unit, creating a unified assembly that functions as one integrated device despite being physically divided.
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 assembly maintains a fixed position, facilitates easy implantation, and enables efficient wireless energy transfer and operation of implanted medical devices, adapting to various applications with interchangeable parts.
Implementation Method 1
An external energy source can supply any needed amount of electrical power intermittently or continuously without requiring repeated surgical operations. So-called TET (Transcutaneous Energy Transfer) devices are known that can transfer wireless energy in this manner. Thereby, no leads or the like penetrating the skin need to be used for connecting the medical device to an external energy source, such as a battery. A TET device typically comprises an external energy source including a primary coil adapted to inductively transfer any amount of wireless energy, by inducing voltage in a secondary coil of an internal energy receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A control assembly for implantation in a patient comprises a first unit adapted for subcutaneous implantation at a first side of a body tissue of said patient, a second unit adapted for implantation in a body cavity of said patient at a second side of said body tissue, wherein at least one of the first and the second unit is adapted to control an implanted powered medical device, and an interconnecting device adapted for mechanical interconnection of the first and second units to keep the assembly in place by the body tissue, the interconnecting device having a cross-sectional area which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first unit and the second unit in a plane parallel to the extension of the body tissue.