Implantable Device Signal Storage Circular Buffer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable electrical stimulation systems face challenges in efficiently storing and managing electrical signals from patient tissue, particularly in determining when to store signal features and optimizing memory usage to minimize signal loss and conserve power.

Innovation Solution

An implantable device with a processor and memory that receives electrical signals and stores them on a first-in-first-out basis in response to triggers, such as user-initiated, scheduled, or threshold-based events, with adjustable sampling rates and segment durations, and includes a programming device for user configuration and visualization of stored signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If electrical signals are continuously stored in memory, then signal data availability is improved, but memory capacity is depleted and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal lossVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads electrical signals into a circular buffer memory in advance, so that when a trigger event occurs, the relevant signal data is already available for immediate storage without requiring continuous monitoring and storage of all incoming signals. This preliminary preparation reduces both memory usage and power consumption while ensuring signal data is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the sampling rate of electrical signals based on trigger events. During normal operation, signals are sampled at a lower rate to conserve memory and power. When a trigger occurs, the sampling rate increases to capture detailed signal information. This parameter change allows the system to maintain signal availability while optimizing memory capacity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If electrical signals are continuously stored in memory, then signal data availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal lossVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously storing all electrical signals, the system uses periodic sampling with variable rates. Signals are sampled at standard intervals during normal operation, and the sampling frequency increases only when trigger events occur. This periodic action with adaptive frequency reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to capture critical signal information when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If trigger-based storage is implemented, then memory usage is optimized, but signal capture timing precision is challenged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory usageVSAvoidsignal capture timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously pre-loads electrical signals into a circular buffer memory at a standard sampling rate before trigger events occur. This preliminary action ensures that when a trigger event happens, the signal data surrounding the trigger moment is already captured and ready for immediate transfer to permanent storage, eliminating any timing delay that would result from starting to capture signals only after the trigger occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12130753B2Methods and systems for storage, retrieval, and visualization of signals and signal features

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

An implantable device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform actions, including: receiving electrical signals from tissue of a patient; and in response to each of a plurality of triggers, storing a portion of the received electrical signals, occurring after the trigger and extending for a limited duration, in the memory on a first-in-first-out basis. Another an implantable device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform actions, including: receiving electrical signals from tissue of a patient; and in response to each of a plurality of triggers, determining at least one feature of the received electrical signals; and storing the at least one feature in the memory on a first-in-first-out basis.