Implantable Medical Device Centering Kit Using Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optimally aligning an external medical device with an implanted device under the skin is challenging due to the lack of visible optical cues, which affects the efficiency of energy transfer and communication, especially considering the rapid signal strength drop with minor misalignment and the variability of magnetic field induction.
Innovation Solution
A kit of parts comprising a light source in the implantable medical device and photodetectors in the external element, which align the primary and secondary axes coaxially by adjusting the external element's position based on energy received from the light beam, allowing for optimized electromagnetic wave transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If wireless electromagnetic wave transfer is used between external element and implanted device, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates because optimal positioning is not visible optically when implanted under the skin
Solution Approach 1:
A light source is introduced as an intermediary element within the implanted device that emits light visible through the skin. This light serves as a mediator to indicate the position and orientation of the implanted device, allowing external alignment without compromising the wireless electromagnetic energy transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted device incorporates a light source that emits visible light (potentially with specific colors or patterns) that can be seen through the skin. This optical signal changes or varies to indicate different states or positions, enabling visual alignment guidance while maintaining the electromagnetic communication function.
2Ease of operation
If misalignment of the external element occurs relative to the implanted device, then ease of operation is improved (no precise alignment required), but energy transfer efficiency deteriorates rapidly with mm-level misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates visual feedback through the light source emitted by the implanted device. The external element includes indicators that show whether optimal alignment is achieved, providing real-time feedback to the user. This allows easy operation by guiding the user to the correct position without requiring precise technical knowledge, while ensuring high energy transfer efficiency.
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
Ensures efficient energy transfer and alignment, reducing charging time and improving the accuracy of programming instructions, while being cost-effective and potentially automated.
Implementation Method 1
a light source positioned such as to emit a light beam coaxial to the secondary axis, Z2, and of wavelength and intensity sufficient for being transmitted through the tissues and skin
Implementation Method 2
A number, N>2, of photodetectors forming a polygon of N edges, normal to the primary axis, Z1, and which centroid belongs to the primary axis, Z1
Implementation Method 3
the exchange of electromagnetic waves between an emitter and a receiver for the wireless transfer of energy or information/instructions
Data Source
AI summary
A kit of parts and a system for centering an external element with respect to an implantable medical device is provided that includes: •An implantable medical device (20) for being implanted under the skin of a patient and having an internal housing with a light source (22) positioned such as to emit a light beam coaxial to a secondary axis (Z2), •An external element (10) having —a number, N>2, of photodetectors (12a-12d) forming a polygon of N edges, normal to a primary axis (Z1), and —an indicator (4) indicating how the external element is to be displaced over the the skin to position the external element with the primary axis (Z1), being coaxial with the secondary axis (Z2), as a function of the energy received by each of the N photodetectors. A corresponding method for aligning the external element and the implantable medical device are provided.