Inductive Energy Transmission Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inductive energy transfer into the human body, such as those used in VAD systems, face challenges with thermal stress on the skin or tissue due to high energy transfer rates, leading to heating issues that can exceed safe limits.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a heat-insulating element with lower thermal conductivity than the housing material between the transmitter coil and the contact surface, combined with a heat-conducting element on the outside of the housing, reduces heat transfer to the body and facilitates heat dissipation to the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high energy transfer rates are used for fast charging, then productivity is improved, but thermal stress on skin and tissue increases causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with spatially varying thermal properties: the first housing region in contact with the body has low thermal conductivity to protect tissue, while the second housing region away from the body has high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous protection of tissue and efficient heat management during high-power charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing employs composite material construction with at least two different materials having distinct thermal conductivity characteristics. The first material (low thermal conductivity) is positioned at the body-contact region, while the second material (high thermal conductivity) is positioned at the external region, creating a composite structure that balances tissue protection with thermal dissipation requirements.
2Loss of time
If high energy transfer rates are used, then charging time is reduced, but heating of human tissue increases beyond safe limits
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with spatially varying thermal properties: the first housing region in contact with the body has low thermal conductivity to protect tissue, while the second housing region away from the body has high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous protection of tissue and efficient heat management during high-power charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure converts the harmful heat generated during high-power charging into a beneficial thermal management system. The low-conductivity region directs heat away from the body, while the high-conductivity region efficiently dissipates it to the environment, transforming the heating problem into an controlled thermal distribution advantage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation is increased to protect tissue, then tissue protection is improved, but heat dissipation from the device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with spatially varying thermal properties: the first housing region in contact with the body has low thermal conductivity to protect tissue, while the second housing region away from the body has high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous protection of tissue and efficient heat management during high-power charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into at least two distinct functional regions: a first region with thermal insulation properties for tissue protection and a second region with thermal conduction properties for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each region to independently perform its specific thermal function without interfering with the other.
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 configuration effectively reduces thermal stress on human tissue, allowing for higher energy transfer rates while minimizing heating and enabling shorter charging times, thus enhancing flexibility and comfort for patients.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-insulating element is arranged between the transmitter coil and the contact surface of the housing to the body of the patient, in the region of which the transmitter coil is arranged, said element comprising a poorer thermal conductivity than the base material of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a heat-conducting element is arranged on the outside of the housing on the side of the heat-insulating element facing away from the transmitter coil, wherein the heat-conducting element consists of a material having a thermal conductivity of 1 W/mK or greater
Implementation Method 3
a transmitter unit (11) with a housing (12), in which at least one transmitter coil (14) is arranged... and a receiver unit (20) that can be positioned in the body (1) with a receiver coil (21)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10; 10a) for inductive energy transfer into a human body (1), having a transmitter unit (11) with a housing (12), in which at least one transmitter coil (14) is arranged, wherein the housing (12) comprises a contact surface (23), which is configured in order to be brought into surface contact with the body (1), and a receiver unit (20) that can be positioned in the body (1) with a receiver coil (21), wherein a heat-insulating element (26) and a heat-conducting element (30; 30a) are arranged between the transmitter coil (14) and the body.