Inductive Data Link With Coupled Resonators for Implant Distance Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless data links for biomedical implants face challenges in maintaining reliable communication over varying distances and power efficiency, especially in closed-loop neuromodulation systems, where computational load is high and power constraints are limiting.
Innovation Solution
The development of distance-immune inductively-coupled data links using coupled resonators and amplitude modulation techniques, with a free-running oscillator that tunes its frequency to maintain stable power and data transmission across different inductor separations, and a resistor bank to control the resistance and prevent signal inversion, enabling bidirectional communication with low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If inductive coupling is used for wireless power and data transmission to implanted devices, then patient mobility and infection risk are improved, but communication reliability over varying distances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the oscillator frequency based on the inductive coupling conditions between the external and implanted devices. The frequency tuning mechanism adapts to varying distances and coupling strengths, maintaining stable power transfer and communication reliability despite changes in patient movement or device positioning.
2Use of energy by moving object
If computational algorithms are implemented externally to reduce power consumption in implanted devices, then power availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts computationally intensive algorithms from the implanted device and relocates them to the external device. This extraction reduces the power requirements of the implanted device while maintaining the full computational functionality in the external system, effectively trading off device complexity for power savings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inductive coupling distance is increased to provide patient comfort and mobility, then patient comfort is improved, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating frequency parameter of the inductive coupling based on the distance between devices. By tuning the frequency to match the resonant characteristics at different coupling distances, the system maintains efficient power transfer even when the distance varies to accommodate patient comfort and mobility requirements.
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 solution provides a robust, ultra-low power data link that maintains performance across varying distances, supporting high data rates with low power consumption, ensuring reliable communication between implanted devices and external units while minimizing tissue power loss.
Implementation Method 1
the external transceiver and the implanted transceiver are positioned such that an electromagnetic field produced by at least one of the first inductor and the second inductor is inductively coupled to the other inductor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using near-field inductive coupling between an implanted system and an external transceiver are discloses. In several embodiments, the data link system is based on a free-running oscillator tuned by coupled resonators. The use of an oscillator-based power link can allow for stable power over different inductor distances, or coil distances. In some embodiments, the data link system includes receivers on both sides of the link, where each receiver is composed of a detector, such as but not limited to an analog front-end (“AFE”), and a clock and data recovery (“CDR”) loop.