Implant Recharging Alignment Feedback Using Haptic Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in efficiently transferring energy during recharging due to misalignment of external and internal components, which can lead to prolonged recharging times and increased heating.
Innovation Solution
The system provides haptic feedback to patients by adjusting stimulation intensity and frequency to indicate the quality of alignment between the external and internal components, allowing for efficient energy transfer without requiring visual attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless energy transfer is used for recharging implantable medical devices, then recharging convenience is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates leading to energy transfer inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by monitoring energy transfer quality metrics (such as coupling coefficient or power transfer efficiency) and providing real-time guidance to the user to adjust the external device position. The processing circuitry compares measured transfer efficiency against target values and directs the user to move the external device to improve alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment indicators (such as visual markers or physical guides) with wireless signal-based feedback mechanisms. Instead of relying on mechanical precision or visual line-of-sight alignment, the system uses wireless energy transfer signal quality as the feedback mechanism, allowing for more flexible and convenient operation while maintaining or improving alignment accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If misalignment occurs during recharging, then alignment flexibility is improved, but energy transfer efficiency deteriorates causing prolonged recharging time
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors energy transfer efficiency and provides feedback to the user when misalignment is detected. By measuring parameters such as coupling coefficient or power transfer efficiency and comparing them to predefined thresholds, the system guides the user to realign the external device, thereby maintaining high recharging efficiency despite the flexibility in positioning that wireless technology enables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts recharging parameters based on real-time alignment conditions. When misalignment is detected, the processing circuitry can dynamically modify transfer power levels, adjust monitoring frequencies, or provide time-sensitive feedback to the user, allowing the system to adapt to varying alignment conditions while optimizing recharging efficiency throughout the process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If misalignment occurs during recharging, then positioning freedom is improved, but heat generation increases due to inefficient energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors energy transfer efficiency and provides feedback to the user when misalignment is detected that would lead to excessive heat generation. By measuring transfer quality metrics and comparing them against safety thresholds, the system alerts the user to realign the external device before harmful heating occurs, thereby maintaining positioning freedom while preventing thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting misalignment conditions before they result in harmful heat generation. The processing circuitry continuously monitors transfer efficiency and provides early warning to the user to correct positioning, preventing the development of excessive heat that would occur with sustained misalignment, thus protecting the patient while maintaining positioning flexibility.
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 haptic feedback mechanism enhances alignment accuracy, reducing recharging time and heat generation, thereby improving patient convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
power receiving circuitry, configured to receive wireless electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
stimulation generation circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to the patient via a plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to provide haptic feedback to a patient to help the patient align a medical device to a location on their anatomy. In some examples, the patient may align a recharging device to a medical device that is implanted at the location on their anatomy. In some examples, the electrical stimulation can be delivered in such a way that the patient may or may not be able to feel the electrical stimulation, e.g., experience a paresthesia sensation. The system of this disclosure may intentionally adjust the stimulation intensity to provide patient feedback for alignment, such as alignment of the recharging device with the implanted device. Alignment of the recharging device with the implanted device may improve energy transfer, which may, for example, recharge the implanted device more efficiently.