Inductive Nerve Stimulation System with Magnetic Safety Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nerve stimulation systems for hemiplegic patients, particularly those suffering from stroke, are challenging to use and maintain due to connector-based assembly and recharging requirements, which can lead to unsafe simultaneous charging and electrical stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A nerve stimulation system featuring an inductive link with a rechargeable battery and separate charging mechanism, where the inductive links are mechanically arranged to prevent simultaneous active coupling, ensuring safe operation and easy use by allowing battery charging only when the system is not in use for stimulation, utilizing a charger device with a holding arrangement for the antenna and a control system to manage current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connectors are used for assembling the system and recharging, then the system can be assembled and recharged, but it becomes challenging for hemiplegic patients to operate and risks simultaneous charging and stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes connectors entirely from the system, extracting the problematic interface between patient and device. Instead of requiring patients to plug and unplug connectors, the system uses permanent magnetic attachments and wireless power transfer, eliminating the source of operational difficulty and safety risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnets as an intermediary mechanism between the external charger and the implanted device. The magnets provide automatic alignment and connection, mediating the power transfer without requiring patient manipulation of connectors, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining safety.
2Ease of manufacture
If connectors are provided for assembly and recharging, then the system is functional, but the system complexity increases and requires manual connector management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of connection, alignment, and power transfer into a single magnetic interface. The magnets serve multiple purposes simultaneously: they attach the external charger to the implant, align the inductive coupling, and enable power transfer, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite manufacturing precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If inductive links are used for power transfer, then wireless power transfer is achieved, but preventing simultaneous charging and stimulation requires additional mechanical arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the magnetic attraction automatically prevents simultaneous charging and stimulation. When the external charger approaches the implant, the magnets automatically engage, which mechanically blocks the stimulation electrodes from making contact with the nerve, thereby self-regulating the safety condition without additional control systems.
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 a safer and easier-to-use solution for hemiplegic patients by preventing simultaneous charging and stimulation, allowing single-handed operation and reducing the complexity of connector management, while ensuring efficient energy transfer and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive link between the pulse generator and the electrode, comprising an antenna adapted to be mounted on the skin of the patient and a counterpart in form of an implantable antenna
Implementation Method 2
an inductive link for charging the rechargeable battery in the pulse generator comprising an antenna for acting as a counterpart for an inductive charger
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treatment of gait disorders includes an external device in the form of a pulse generator (4) with an integrated rechargeable battery and a device adapted to be implanted in the human body. The system features an external to the body placed antenna (3) for the inductive link between the external device and the implanted device. This antenna further incorporates an additional secondary coil (24), for inductively charging the battery in the pulse generator. The fixture on the antenna for mounting the antenna on the skin of the person is reused for being received in a charger fixture (20) on the charger, containing the primary coil (22) for the transfer of charging power.