Implantable Medical System Capacitor Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical systems, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices, face challenges due to bulky capacitors that consume space and reduce the size of the rechargeable battery and available functionality, limiting the system's compactness and battery lifetime.
Innovation Solution
The capacitors are relocated from the implantable device to the probe, allowing for a more compact implantable device design, increased battery size, and enhanced mechanical flexibility through partitioned and layered capacitor structures, which also increase capacitance and reduce dielectric layer thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If capacitors are included in the implantable device, then voltage conversion and electrical pulse generation functions are achieved, but the device size increases and battery capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capacitor from the implantable device and relocates it to the external power supply unit. This extraction removes the bulky capacitor component from the implantable device, significantly reducing its volume while the external power supply unit provides the necessary capacitive functions for voltage conversion and pulse generation through wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless power transfer as an intermediary mechanism between the external power supply unit and the implantable device. This intermediary enables the external unit to provide not only power but also capacitive support functions, allowing the implantable device to operate with reduced size while maintaining full functionality through the mediating wireless energy and signal transfer.
2Power
If capacitors are included in the implantable device, then electrical pulse generation is enabled, but battery size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is extracted from the implantable device and placed in the external power supply unit, freeing up space in the implantable device's battery. This allows the battery to be enlarged or use more efficient energy storage while the external unit provides the necessary capacitive energy for pulse generation through wireless transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the capacitive function from the spatial dimension (physical capacitor in the device) to the energy dimension (wireless power transfer). By changing the dimension of energy delivery from stored chemical energy in a compact battery to transmitted electromagnetic energy, the system can provide sufficient power for pulse generation without compromising battery capacity in the implantable device.
3Volume of moving object
If the implantable device is made smaller, then patient comfort and surgical ease are improved, but space for electrical components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts multiple electrical components, particularly the capacitor, from the implantable device and relocates them to the external power supply unit. This extraction simplifies the implantable device's internal structure, reducing the number of components that need to be integrated and assembled, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or enhancing functionality through the external unit.
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
This solution results in a more compact and user-friendly system with extended battery life, as the capacitors are integrated into the probe, freeing space for a larger battery and improving the system's overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
the probe comprises at least one capacitor and wires for connecting the at least one capacitor to the electrical components comprised in the implantable device
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an implantable medical system, where an implantable device including a power source operable connected to electrical components is adapted to generate electrical pulses, and a probe having a distal-end and a proximal-end. The distal-end has one or more electrodes adapted to be in electrical contact with a target tissue and wires for connecting the one or more electrodes to the implantable device. The wires conduct the electrical pulses from the implantable device to the one or more electrodes and into the target tissue. The probe has at least one capacitor and wires for connecting the at least one capacitor to the electrical components in the implantable device such that the at least one capacitor forms a part of the electrical components of the implantable device.