Magnetic MEMS Wake-Up Switch for Deeply Implanted Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized medical devices implanted in patients face challenges in energy-efficient operation and reliable wake-up mechanisms, especially when deeply implanted, due to limited battery capacity and the need for low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized medical device with a wake-up system using a microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch device that responds to a time-varying magnetic field, allowing for contactless activation with minimal power consumption by utilizing a switch member that oscillates at its resonant frequency, enabling efficient and reliable wake-up even when implanted deeply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the medical device is miniaturized to fit small blood vessels, then the device size is reduced, but the battery capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The functional device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between switched-off state and operational state. The wake-up device periodically activates the functional device to perform measurements and then returns it to sleep mode, enabling the device to function with limited battery capacity while maintaining clinical utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up device is prepared in advance to activate the functional device only when needed. By using a magnetic field trigger, the system can wake up the device on demand before actual use, rather than keeping it continuously powered, thus conserving battery energy in the miniaturized device.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the functional device remains switched off to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot be activated on demand
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field serves as an intermediary trigger to activate the wake-up device. The magnetic field detection circuit senses external magnetic fields and triggers the wake-up sequence without requiring direct electrical connection or continuous power, enabling flexible on-demand activation while maintaining low power consumption during inactive states.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is implanted deeply in the patient, then the device can be positioned optimally, but wake-up becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or electrical activation mechanisms with a magnetic field-based activation system. Magnetic fields can penetrate tissue effectively and reach deeply implanted devices without requiring physical access or complex wiring, thus maintaining reliable wake-up capability regardless of implantation depth while allowing optimal positioning flexibility.
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 solution enables energy-efficient operation with minimal power consumption and reliable wake-up of the medical device, even when deeply implanted, using a small magnetic field strength, ensuring effective and efficient activation with low current flow during inactive states.
Implementation Method 1
the switch member is excitable by a time-varying magnetic field to perform an oscillating movement
Implementation Method 2
the switch member performs an oscillating movement with an increasing amplitude... upon excitation with a time-varying magnetic field at a resonant frequency of the switch member
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A miniaturized medical device (1) comprises an electronic functional device (10) for performing a function of said miniaturized medical device (1). The miniaturized medical device (1) further comprises a wake-up device (12) for transferring said functional device (10) from a switched-off state to an operational state. Herein, the wake-up device (12) comprises an electrical detection circuit (123) configured to generate a wake-up signal (VS) and a switch device (4). The switch device (4) comprises a switch member (41), a magnet device (42) attached to the switch member (41) and at least one switch contact (44A, 44B). The switch member (41) is excitable by a time-varying magnetic field (M) to perform an oscillating movement for acting onto said at least one switch contact (44A, 44B) to perform a switching action of the switching device (4) in the electrical detection circuit (123) and to in this way generate the wake-up signal (VS).