Implant Power Transfer Control Using Coupling Factor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical systems with implantable parts that rely on inductive energy transfer from an external source are unable to rapidly adjust energy supply to meet the dynamic needs of the implanted devices.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with internal and external components that includes a primary coil for energy transmission, a control unit for the external energy source, and a secondary coil with a control unit for the implanted device, which determines energy balance and coupling factor to adjust energy transfer rapidly by using feedback parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If inductive energy transfer is used to supply energy to implanted devices from external sources, then energy supply is facilitated for the patient, but the system cannot adapt the amount of energy supplied rapidly enough to meet dynamic needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the implanted device measures the coupling factor between coils and transmits this information wirelessly to the external device. The external device uses this feedback to automatically adjust the energy transmission level, enabling rapid adaptation to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static energy transmission to dynamic adjustment by continuously monitoring the coupling factor and automatically modifying the energy transmission level in real-time based on the measured conditions, allowing the system to adapt rapidly to dynamic needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy transmission is increased to meet higher energy demands, then energy supply adequacy improves, but heat production increases which can be harmful to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors energy transfer efficiency through coupling factor measurements and adjusts transmission levels accordingly. By optimizing the energy transfer based on real-time feedback, the system ensures adequate energy supply to the implanted device while minimizing excessive energy transmission that would generate harmful heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the energy transmission parameter based on the measured coupling factor. When coupling is poor, transmission is reduced to avoid heat generation; when coupling is good, transmission is increased to ensure adequate energy supply, thus optimizing the balance between energy delivery and heat production.
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
Enables rapid and efficient energy adjustment to match the energy needs of the implanted medical device, optimizing energy use and reducing heat production by continuously monitoring and recalibrating energy transfer based on energy balance, coupling factor, and regulator parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The external parts comprise an energy source which is equipped with a primary coil for inductively transmitting energy to the implantable parts
Implementation Method 2
The internal parts comprise an energy receiver equipped with a secondary coil for inductively receiving energy for the medical device from the external energy source
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system comprising internal parts for implantation in a patient and external parts for use externally to the patient is provided. The external parts comprise an external energy source equipped with a primary coil for wirelessly transmitting energy to the internal parts. The internal parts comprise an electrically powered medical device, an energy receiver equipped with a secondary coil for inductively receiving energy for the medical device from the external energy source, and an internal control unit for controlling the internal parts. The internal control unit is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the wireless energy transfer, wherein the internal control unit is arranged to control the energy transfer based on the at least one parameter.