Implantable Sensor Charging With Helmholtz Coils Across Body Orientations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable devices face challenges in wireless communication and charging due to their orientation in vivo, particularly when implanted in body cavities, which affects the efficiency and reliability of data transmission and energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising an implantable sensor device with a single axis antenna and a wearable receiver device using Helmholtz coils for wireless data communication and charging, optimized for alignment and efficiency within the human body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless communication and charging methods are used with implantable devices, then the devices can be implanted in body cavities, but the orientation of the implantable device affects the efficiency and reliability of data transmission and energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-axis or planar antenna designs to a three-dimensional volumetric Helmholtz coil structure. This dimensional change creates a spherical magnetic field distribution that can couple with the implantable device regardless of its orientation within the body cavity, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and orientation adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The Helmholtz coil configuration provides universal wireless communication and charging capability that functions effectively across multiple orientations and positions. The spherical symmetry of the magnetic field generated by the Helmholtz coils makes the system universally applicable regardless of how the implantable device is oriented in the body cavity.
2Reliability
If Helmholtz coils are used for wireless charging and communication, then alignment efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both wireless charging and data transmission functions into a single Helmholtz coil system. The same coils that generate the magnetic field for inductive charging also serve as the communication interface, merging two functions into one unified structure and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced physics involved.
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 system enables reliable and efficient wireless data transmission and charging of implantable sensors, ensuring optimal alignment and reduced size, power consumption, and improved end-user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the receiver device comprises Helmholtz coils, wherein the Helmholtz coils are arranged to communicate with the single axis antenna so as to wirelessly charge the sensor device
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the sensor data via a single axis antenna to a wearable receiver device
Data Source
AI summary
A first aspect of the invention provides a monitoring system, comprising: an implantable sensor device, shaped and dimensioned for implantation in a human body for measuring conditions within the human body to generate sensor data, the sensor device having a single axis antenna; and a wearable receiver device, for wirelessly receiving the sensor data generated by the implantable sensor device, wherein the receiver device comprises Helmholtz coils, wherein the Helmholtz coils are arranged to communicate with the single axis antenna so as to wirelessly charge the sensor device and receive the sensor data.