Communication Hub for Low-Power Implantable Sensor Data Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in efficient wireless communication due to the cumbersome physical connection required for data transmission from deeply implanted sensors, which is invasive and limits power capacity due to sensor miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a miniaturized sensing device with limited power supply and a communication hub with greater power capacity, enabling bidirectional low-power communication through a short-distance link, allowing data transmission from the sensing device to an external device via the hub, minimizing power usage and enabling minimally-invasive implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical connection is used to connect IMD to sensors, then data transmission is achieved, but the system becomes invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the physical connection requirement by implementing wireless communication between the IMD and external devices. The IMD includes a transceiver that enables data transmission without physical leads, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication hub as an intermediary device that facilitates wireless communication between the IMD and external monitoring systems. This hub acts as a mediator that receives data from the IMD via wireless transmission and relays it to external devices, eliminating the need for invasive physical connections while ensuring reliable data transmission.
2Volume of moving object
If sensors are miniaturized, then minimally-invasive implantation is enabled, but power capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management function by implementing separate power sources for different components. The IMD has its own power source for basic operations, while the communication hub provides additional power support for high-energy transmission operations. This segmentation allows miniaturized sensors to maintain adequate power capacity by distributing power requirements across multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication hub serves as a powered intermediary that performs high-power wireless transmission to and from the miniaturized IMD. This allows the IMD to remain small with limited power capacity while the hub handles the energy-intensive communication functions, effectively resolving the power capacity limitation of miniaturized sensors.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wireless communication is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a communication hub as a relay intermediary that extends the effective communication range of the low-power IMD. The IMD transmits data wirelessly over short distances to the hub using minimal power, and the hub then communicates with external devices over longer distances. This intermediary approach maintains low power consumption at the IMD while achieving extended communication range through the hub's higher power capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Communication power in a medical device system is managed by providing power from a power supply to a communication circuit in a sensing device according to a first communication wake up mode set for a first time period and according to a second communication wake up mode set for a second time period. The second communication wake-up mode is established by a second device.