Implant Relay Module for Wireless RF Stimulus Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implanted stimulation devices rely on wired connections to an internal battery, which limits flexibility and efficiency in powering and controlling stimulation electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless system using a control module, relay module, and implantable lead module, where the relay module receives RF signals from the control module, generates and transmits stimulus waveforms to the lead module via antennas, allowing for battery-less operation and flexible placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections with internal battery are used, then power supply is reliable, but device flexibility and placement freedom are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery from the implanted device and places it in an external control module. The implanted pulse generator becomes battery-less, receiving power wirelessly through inductive coupling from an external antenna system. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the physical connection constraints while maintaining power supply capability through electromagnetic energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external control module with antenna as an intermediary between the power source and the implanted device. This intermediary enables wireless energy transfer through inductive coupling, allowing the implanted device to receive power without physical wire connections, thereby achieving both reliability and flexibility.
2Power
If wired connections are used, then power transmission is stable, but user convenience and device portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer system. The external control module uses an antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy that is inductively coupled to an implanted antenna, eliminating the need for physical connectors and wires, thereby improving user convenience while maintaining power transmission stability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If internal battery is included, then device can operate independently, but device size and implantation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery function is extracted from the implanted device and relocated to an external control module. This allows the implanted pulse generator to be smaller and simpler, as it no longer requires battery housing, power management circuitry, or replacement procedures. The external module handles all power storage and management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The external control module serves multiple functions: it acts as the power source (replacing the battery), the programmer for configuring stimulation parameters, and the communication interface. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate implanted components, reducing overall system complexity.
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 efficient, wireless stimulation of excitable tissues with improved flexibility in device placement and power management, reducing the need for wired connections and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
receive the first RF signal; generate a second RF signal based on the first RF signal with the second RF signal encoding a stimulus waveform
Data Source
AI summary
An implementation provides a system that includes: a control module including a first antenna, the control module configured to generate a first radio frequency (RF) signal and transmit the first RF signal using the first antenna; an implantable lead module including a second antenna and at least one electrode configured to stimulate excitable tissue of a subject; and a relay module configured to receive the first RF signal; generate a second RF signal based on the first RF signal, the second RF signal encoding a stimulus waveform to be applied by the at least one electrodes of the implantable lead module to stimulate the excitable tissue of the subject; and transmit the second RF signal to the implantable lead module.