Implantable Pulse Generator Charging Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with implantable pulse generators (IPGs) face inefficiencies in battery charging, including frequent or infrequent charging and improper charger alignment, which can prolong charging time, affect battery life, and lead to battery depletion.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system that monitors recharging efficiency by receiving data from the IPG or a remote controller, determining metrics such as charging duration, frequency, and alignment, and sends alerts to the patient and clinician to improve charging practices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients charge the IPG frequently, then the battery remains charged, but patient convenience deteriorates due to frequent charging interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring charging metrics (charging duration, frequency, alignment) and providing real-time notifications to patients when suboptimal charging behavior is detected. This allows patients to adjust their charging habits based on objective data, maintaining battery reliability without excessive charging interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of charging patterns and predicts potential battery depletion issues before they occur. By identifying suboptimal charging practices early and alerting patients proactively, the system prevents battery depletion rather than reacting after the problem arises.
2Productivity
If patients allow the battery to deplete, then charging frequency decreases, but device functionality is compromised due to stimulation program interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback on the relationship between charging frequency and device functionality by monitoring how charging patterns affect stimulation program delivery. Patients receive notifications that explain how their charging behavior impacts therapeutic outcomes, encouraging optimal charging frequency to maintain both productivity and reliability.
3Productivity
If external charger alignment is improper, then charging efficiency decreases, but charging time increases prolonging patient inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system directly addresses alignment issues by monitoring charging metrics and sending specific notifications when improper alignment is detected. Patients receive real-time feedback to adjust charger positioning, improving charging efficiency and reducing charging time through iterative correction based on system feedback.
4Quantity of substance
If charging duration is extended, then battery charge capacity increases, but patient daily routine is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of charging patterns and provides proactive notifications about optimal charging timing and duration. By analyzing historical data and predicting battery needs, the system helps patients plan charging sessions that fit their routines while ensuring adequate charge capacity is achieved.
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 effectively detects and alerts patients and clinicians to sub-optimal charging practices, promoting efficient battery charging, extending battery life, and maintaining proper stimulation program functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer of power from external charger 40 is enabled by a primary charging coil 44 in FIG. 2A, and by a primary charging coil 66 in FIG. 2B. The magnetic portion of the electromagnetic field 55 induces a current Icoil in the secondary charging coil 30 within the IPG 10
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remotely monitoring the charging of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) are described. Data related to charging of the IPG is sent to a remote server. The data can be analyzed to determine various charging practices, for example, the frequency and duration of charging sessions, how well the patient aligns their external charger with the IPG, how low the patient allows their battery to drain between charging sessions, etc. Algorithms can be used to identify inefficient charging behaviors so that the patient and/or clinician can be alerted.