Implantable Power Adapter with Frequency-Converting Energy Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technologies cause pain, muscle contraction, and undesirable sensations due to high frequency electrical currents, and result in electrical charge buildup and heating, necessitating a need for improved energy transfer methods that minimize these issues.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a housing and circuit configured to receive and convert transcutaneous energy, transitioning between configurations to manage electrical charge and frequency, ensuring safe and effective energy delivery to implantable devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If low frequency electrical current is used for transcutaneous stimulation, then efficacy of the implantable device is improved, but sensitivity to undesirable sensations and muscle contraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficacy of implantable deviceVSAvoidpain and muscle contraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the implantable device with electrodes) that receives high frequency stimulation transcutaneously and converts it to low frequency stimulation internally. This mediator allows the external high frequency stimulus to bypass the harmful effects at the skin level while delivering the desired low frequency therapeutic effect at the target tissue level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of electrical stimulation by using frequency division or rectification circuits within the implantable device. The external transmitter delivers high frequency AC stimulation, which is then converted to low frequency pulsing current that can be delivered to target tissues without causing undesirable sensations or muscle contractions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high frequency electrical current is used for transcutaneous energy transfer, then sensitivity to undesirable sensations is reduced, but heating and electrical charge buildup increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity to stimulationVSAvoidheating of external transmitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable device serves as an intermediary that receives high frequency energy transcutaneously and converts it to usable low frequency energy. This allows the external transmitter to operate at high frequency (reducing skin sensitivity and charge buildup) while the implant handles the energy conversion, preventing heating issues at the external device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical/electrical stimulation at the skin level with electromagnetic field-based transcutaneous energy transfer. The external transmitter uses electromagnetic induction to transfer energy through the skin without direct electrical contact, reducing heating and charge buildup issues associated with traditional electrical stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If transcutaneous electrical stimulus is applied directly to target area, then stimulation efficacy is improved, but electrical charge buildup on skin occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation efficacyVSAvoidelectrical charge buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable device with internal electrodes acts as an intermediary that receives transcutaneous energy and delivers it directly to target tissues internally. This bypasses the skin surface, preventing charge buildup on the skin while maintaining effective stimulation at the target area through the implanted electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively reduces undesirable sensations and heating by managing electrical charge and frequency, providing efficient and safe energy transfer to implantable devices.

Implementation Method 1

the circuit is configured to (1) receive, transcutaneously from a power supply, a first energy, (2) convert the first energy to a second energy, and (3) transmit, to the pick-up electrode, the second energy such that the implantable electrical conductor can apply, via a stimulating electrode, the second energy at the second frequency to a region in the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The solution effectively reduces undesirable sensations and heating by managing electrical charge and frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge management:

Data Source

PatentEP3996798B1Apparatus for providing electric energy to a subject

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 BIONESS INC

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2

AI summary

An apparatus includes a power adapter having a housing and a circuit at least partially disposed in the housing. The housing is configured to be coupled to an implantable device for disposition in a body. The circuit is configured to be electrically connected to a power circuit of the implantable device when the housing is coupled to the implantable electrical conductor. When the housing is coupled to the implantable electrical conductor and implanted in a body, the circuit is configured to (1) receive, transcutaneously from a power supply, a first energy, (2) convert the first energy to a second energy, and (3) transfer, to the implantable device, the second energy such that the second energy powers the implantable device.