Implantable Medical Device Temperature Sensor Housing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in accurately monitoring temperature during transcutaneous charging, which can lead to undesirable heating of tissue, necessitating conservative charging practices to avoid discomfort and potential harm.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating temperature sensors thermally coupled to specific portions of the IMD or external charging device to provide accurate temperature feedback, allowing for controlled charging power adjustments and preventing excessive tissue heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If transcutaneous charging is performed via inductive coupling to recharge the power source, then the operational life of the device is extended, but the temperature of the device increases causing unwanted heating of tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature sensing during charging sessions and uses this feedback to control the charging process. The system monitors device temperature and adjusts charging parameters accordingly, enabling safe operation at higher power levels while preventing excessive tissue heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes charging parameters (power level, charging rate) based on monitored temperature conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can operate at higher power levels for extended periods while maintaining safe temperature limits, thus extending operational life without causing harmful heating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If charging power is limited to reduce tissue heating, then patient safety is improved, but recharge time increases reducing charging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors temperature during charging and provides feedback to control the charging power. This allows the system to operate at high power levels when temperatures are acceptable and reduce power only when necessary, optimizing both patient safety and charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic charging control where power levels are adjusted in real-time based on temperature conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maximize charging speed while maintaining safe temperature limits, rather than using fixed conservative power limits.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are integrated within the device housing, then temperature monitoring capability is added, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the temperature sensor within the existing device housing structure, combining multiple functions (structural support, temperature sensing, and thermal management reference) into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, acts as a thermal management reference, and houses the temperature sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby minimizing the increase in device 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 safer and more efficient charging by reducing recharge times while minimizing patient discomfort and tissue heating risks through precise temperature monitoring and power control.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor is configured to be thermally coupled to the portion
Implementation Method 2
the physically compliant material is configured to provide a physical bias against the temperature sensor and towards the interior surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring the temperature of a device such as an implantable medical device is disclosed. An implantable medical device includes a housing with at least one support disposed within the housing, a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the interior surface of the housing, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a temperature of a portion of the housing. At least one physically compliant material is disposed between the at least one support and the temperature sensor, where the physically compliant material is configured to provide a physical bias against the temperature sensor and towards the interior surface of the housing.