Inductively Powered Biosensor with Dynamic Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power supply systems for biosensors implanted in living creatures face challenges such as movement artifacts, potential infection risks, reliability issues with wires, and inefficient power management, particularly due to heat dissipation and the need for bulky batteries, which restrict long-term recordings and cause discomfort to the animal.
Innovation Solution
An inductively powered sensor system that includes a primary conductive path generating an electromagnetic field, an inductive power pick-up, sensing means to monitor power availability and requirements, and control mechanisms to adjust the power flow by varying the field's frequency, current, voltage, or vector to match the sensor's needs, ensuring efficient power delivery while minimizing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a battery is provided to power the sensor wirelessly, then the sensor can operate without wires, but the battery becomes bulky causing difficulties when providing the sensor unit within the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power source from the implanted sensor unit and places it externally as a primary conductive path. The sensor unit only contains a small pick-up coil and sensor components, while the bulky power supply infrastructure is removed from the animal's body and placed in the external environment (cage walls, flooring, etc.).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the external power source and the implanted sensor. The primary conductive path generates an electromagnetic field that penetrates through the cage structure, and the pick-up coil in the sensor unit harvests energy from this field, eliminating the need for direct physical or inductive coupling.
2Ease of operation
If inductive power supply is used to power the biosensor wirelessly, then wires and batteries are eliminated, but excess power is dissipated as heat in the sensor causing discomfort or harm to the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic control of the electromagnetic field parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) based on real-time feedback about the sensor's power needs. The system adjusts the field characteristics to match the instantaneous power requirements of the sensor, preventing both power deficiency and excessive power delivery that would cause heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where the sensor unit communicates its power status and requirements back to the external power supply system. This feedback loop enables the primary conductive path to adjust its electromagnetic field output to precisely match the sensor's needs, eliminating the heat dissipation problem caused by uncontrolled power transfer.
3Loss of energy
If the power transfer system is designed for tightly controlled coupling, then efficient power transfer is achieved, but the system cannot accommodate arbitrary orientation and greater physical separation between the primary conductive path and pick-up
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the electromagnetic field-based power transfer system to be universally effective across multiple orientations and distances. By using a resonant electromagnetic field that can penetrate through the cage structure and maintain coupling over varying geometries, the system achieves both efficient power transfer and high adaptability to different sensor positions and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs parameter tuning of the electromagnetic field (frequency, amplitude, phase) to maintain optimal power transfer conditions despite changes in distance and orientation. The system can adjust these parameters dynamically to compensate for geometric variations, ensuring consistent power delivery regardless of the sensor's position within the cage.
4Reliability
If conventional inductive power supply with fixed location implants is used, then power transfer can be controlled, but the system cannot address variable distance and random orientation of implants in relation to the primary coils
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static, fixed-geometry inductive power system into a dynamic system that can adapt to moving targets. The electromagnetic field-based approach combined with feedback control enables the system to track and maintain optimal coupling conditions even as the implant moves to different locations and orientations within the cage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses feedback from the implant's power status and position to continuously adjust the electromagnetic field parameters. This enables reliable power transfer control while accommodating variable implant positions, as the system responds in real-time to maintain optimal coupling conditions regardless of where the implant is located within the defined space.
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 provides reliable, efficient, and comfortable power supply to biosensors, allowing for long-term recordings without the need for bulky batteries, reducing heat dissipation, and accommodating variable orientations and distances between the sensor and power source, thus enhancing the animal's well-being.
Implementation Method 1
a primary conductive path capable of being energised to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space
Implementation Method 2
an inductive power pick-up associated with a sensor, the pick-up being capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.