Ionic Communication Electrodes for Implantable Bioelectronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for signal transmission from implanted bioelectronic devices face challenges such as high power consumption, non-biocompatibility, and tissue penetration limitations, particularly with RF and optical communication methods, which restrict their use in chronic applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of ionic communication systems involving a transmitter and receiver with electrodes in contact with an electrolyte to manipulate and sense ions, allowing for MHz-range signal transmission without the need for RF waves, enabling a high-speed, low-power link between implanted and external electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If RF communication is used for wireless data transmission from implanted devices, then tissue penetration capability is improved, but power consumption increases and biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF electromagnetic wave-based communication with ionic communication using electrical signals transmitted through electrodes in contact with body tissues. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power RF waves, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining tissue penetration capability through direct ionic conduction pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electromagnetic radiation (RF) to ionic conduction through electrolyte. By manipulating ionic concentration and electrical potential gradients in the tissue electrolyte, the system achieves efficient signal transmission with much lower power requirements compared to traditional RF methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RF communication components are used in implanted devices, then wireless data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases and biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex RF transmission components (amplifiers, oscillators, antennas) from the implanted device. Instead, it uses simple electrode structures that can be directly implanted in tissue, dramatically simplifying the device architecture while maintaining wireless communication capability through ionic conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex RF electronic components with simpler ionic conduction-based transmission. The communication function is achieved through electrical signals modulating ionic flow in tissue electrolyte, eliminating the need for high-frequency circuitry and antennas, thus reducing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tissue extruding components are used to interface with external transmitter, then RF communication capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and biocompatibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for tissue extruding components and external transmitters. The ionic communication system enables fully implanted devices to transmit data wirelessly through ionic conduction in tissue electrolyte, eliminating the need for external interface components and simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses tissue electrolyte itself as the transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate coupling interfaces. The ionic conduction pathway is established directly within the tissue, serving as the intermediary that transfers signals between implanted electrodes and external receivers without requiring additional interface components.
4Temperature
If ultrasound-based communication is used, then tissue penetration capability is improved, but communication stability deteriorates due to coupling factor dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasound-based acoustic wave transmission with ionic conduction-based electrical signal transmission. This substitution eliminates dependence on coupling factors and mechanical contact stability, as ionic conduction occurs through direct electrolyte contact with electrodes, providing more reliable communication despite tissue inhomogeneity and movement.
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 facilitates real-time transmission of multi-channel data with sufficient quality for neuronal action potential clustering, enhancing the safety and efficiency of bioelectronic devices by avoiding tissue extruding components and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
manipulating ions in the electrolyte using the first plurality of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a first plurality of electrodes coupled to the transmitter and in contact with the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
System for ionic communication in an electrolyte are provided, the systems including a transmitter; a first plurality of electrodes coupled to the transmitter and in contact with an electrolyte; a receiver; and a second plurality of electrodes coupled to the receiver and in contact with the electrolyte, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit at least one signal to the receiver by manipulating ions in the electrolyte using the first plurality of electrodes. In some of these systems, the transmitter and the first plurality of electrodes are configured to be placed inside a body comprising the electrolyte. In some of these systems, the first plurality of electrodes consists of two electrodes. In some of these systems, the first plurality of electrodes includes at least three electrodes and the at least one signal is a plurality of signals.