Inductive Charging Control for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices with rechargeable power sources face challenges in simultaneous charging, leading to uneven charge states and potential overheating when multiple devices are charged simultaneously, as existing systems lack efficient methods to manage and balance the charging process.
Innovation Solution
The system employs processing circuitry in both the implantable medical devices and the external charging device to monitor and control the charging process, ensuring that multiple devices are charged simultaneously while balancing their charge states, reducing overheating by adjusting power consumption and detuning charging circuitry as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple implantable medical devices are charged simultaneously via inductive coupling, then charging time is reduced, but charge state imbalance and overheating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the charge state of each implantable medical device and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the charging power distribution. The external charging device queries each IMD for its charge status and modifies the inductive coupling parameters to maintain balanced charging, preventing overheating while minimizing total charging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from a static, uniform charging approach to a dynamic, adaptive charging process. The external charging device and IMDs continuously exchange information about charge states, and the system adjusts power distribution in real-time based on changing conditions, allowing simultaneous charging without temperature失控.
2Productivity
If multiple implantable medical devices are charged simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but charge state imbalance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The external charging device queries each IMD for its charge status and uses this feedback information to control the charging process. When charge state differences are detected, the system adjusts power distribution to maintain balance, enabling efficient simultaneous charging without compromising charge uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charging parameters (power level, coupling strength) dynamically based on the charge states of individual devices. By adjusting these parameters in response to real-time charge status information, the system maintains charge state uniformity while preserving high charging efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If an IMD independently manages charging by detecting full charge state, then charging control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each IMD independently monitors its own charge state and can autonomously control its charging process by detecting when full charge is achieved. The IMD can disconnect from the secondary coil or configure circuitry to prevent current flow, enabling precise charge state management without requiring complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging control function is segmented between the external charging device and the IMDs. The external device provides overall coordination and power delivery, while each IMD independently manages its own charge state detection and control, distributing system complexity across multiple simple, autonomous units rather than requiring one complex centralized controller.
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
This approach allows for safe and efficient simultaneous charging of multiple implantable medical devices, reducing the time required for charging and minimizing heat exposure to surrounding tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary coil coupled to the first rechargeable power source, the secondary coil configured to charge the first rechargeable power source via inductive coupling with a primary coil of an external charging device
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a medical device system includes a first implantable medical device. The first implantable medical device (IMD) may comprise circuitry configured to at least one of deliver a therapy to a patient or sense a physiological signal from the patient; generate stimulation deliverable to a patient; a first rechargeable power source; and a secondary coil coupled to the first rechargeable power source, the secondary coil configured to charge the first rechargeable power source via inductive coupling with a primary coil of an external charging device. The medical device system may comprise processing circuitry configured to control charging of the first rechargeable power source based on a charge state of a second rechargeable power source of a second IMD.