Implanted Pulse Generator Battery Life Extension via Adaptive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implanted pulse generators for spinal cord stimulation, especially those using paresthesia-free SCS systems, face challenges in maintaining effective signal delivery due to accelerated battery discharge rates, leading to reduced battery life and inefficiencies in power management.
Innovation Solution
The technology tailors battery charging and discharging parameters based on patient-specific and battery-specific characteristics, such as therapy signal parameters, discharge rates, and charging habits, to extend the battery life and optimize therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If paresthesia-free SCS therapy is used to eliminate uncomfortable sensations, then patient comfort is improved, but battery discharge rate increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on battery state of charge, discharge rate, and patient usage patterns. The charging current and voltage thresholds are not fixed but adapt in real-time to extend battery life while maintaining therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the charging process by adjusting current thresholds, voltage levels, and time limits based on battery characteristics and usage patterns. This optimizes the charging process to extend battery life without compromising therapy delivery
2Duration of action of moving object
If charging frequency is increased to compensate for faster battery discharge, then battery life is extended, but patient convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring battery state, calculating optimal charging parameters, and managing the charging process without patient intervention. The device autonomously extends its own battery life through intelligent parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from battery state monitoring and usage pattern analysis to continuously optimize charging parameters. This feedback loop enables the system to extend battery life while maintaining patient convenience by avoiding overly frequent charging requirements
3Reliability
If signal conditioning hardware is added to boost voltage as battery discharges, then therapy signal delivery is maintained, but system complexity and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding hardware, the patent changes the parameters of the charging process to optimize battery performance. By adjusting charging current and voltage thresholds, the system maintains effective therapy signal delivery without requiring additional signal conditioning hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the need for complex signal conditioning hardware by addressing the root cause through optimized charging parameters. The solution removes unnecessary hardware complexity while maintaining therapy reliability
4Device complexity
If conventional fixed charging parameters are used, then charging process is simple, but battery life is not optimized especially for paresthesia-free SCS
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed charging parameters to dynamic adaptive parameters that adjust based on battery state and usage patterns. This dynamic approach extends battery life while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes battery life by changing charging parameters such as current thresholds, voltage levels, and time limits based on actual battery characteristics and usage patterns, moving beyond conventional fixed parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for extending the life of an implanted pulse generator battery are disclosed. A representative method for establishing charge parameters for a battery-powered implantable medical device includes receiving a patient-specific therapy signal parameter and, based at least in part on the patient-specific therapy signal parameter, determining a discharge rate for a battery of the implanted medical device. The method can further include determining a therapy run time, based at least in part on the discharge rate. The method can still further include determining at least one battery charging parameter, based at least in part on the run time.