Implanted Antenna Alignment Feedback for Stable Wireless Power Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless interfaces for passive implantable medical devices (PIMDs) face challenges in aligning external antennas with implanted antennas, leading to insufficient power transfer and communication signal strength due to the unknown exact position and orientation of the implanted antennas.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that transmit energizing signals from an external antenna to an implanted antenna, receiving and analyzing energy transfer characteristic values to provide an energy transfer level indicator, which guides the positioning of the external antenna to optimize energy transfer and ensure sufficient power delivery to the PIMD.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless interface is used to transfer energy between external antenna and implanted antenna, then power can be supplied to PIMD without direct contact, but alignment difficulty leads to insufficient energy transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless power transferVSAvoidenergy transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user regarding the degree of energy transfer between the external antenna and implanted antenna. This feedback mechanism enables the user to adjust the alignment and positioning of the external antenna to optimize energy transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of wireless operation and reliability of energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If external antenna is held at various alignments relative to implanted antenna, then ease of positioning is improved, but energy transfer and communication signal strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna positioning flexibilityVSAvoidenergy transfer level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user regarding the degree of energy transfer between the external antenna and implanted antenna. This feedback mechanism enables the user to adjust the alignment and positioning of the external antenna to optimize energy transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of wireless operation and reliability of energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If exact position and orientation of implanted antenna is unknown, then implantation flexibility is improved, but alignment precision between antennas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation location flexibilityVSAvoidantenna alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user regarding the degree of energy transfer between the external antenna and implanted antenna. This feedback mechanism enables the user to adjust the alignment and positioning of the external antenna to optimize energy transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of wireless operation and reliability of energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively manages energy transfer between external and implanted antennas, providing feedback to improve alignment and ensure stable operation of the PIMD by indicating changes in energy transfer levels, thereby enhancing power delivery and communication strength.

Implementation Method 1

an external antenna (106) configured to transmit an energizing signal to an implanted antenna (114)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11826122B2Method and system for managing energy transfer between a passive implanted medical device and external device

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 ST JUDE MEDICAL LUXEMBOURG HLDG II S A R L SJM LUX II

AI summary

A computer implemented method, system and device are provided. The method transmits an energizing signal from an external antenna, coupled to a local external device (LED), to an implanted antenna of a passive implanted medical device (PIMD). The energizing signal is transmitted while the external antenna is at first and second positions. The method receives, at the external antenna, first and second energy transfer characteristic (ETC) values associated with the first and second positions, respectively. The method is under control of one or more processors configured with program instructions. The method analyzes the first and second ETC values to determine a difference therebetween. The method provides an energy transfer level (ETL) indicator based on the difference between the first and second ETC values. The ETL indicator provides feedback regarding a degree of energy transfer associated with at least one of the first and second positions.