Midfield Power Transmission for Deep Implant Wireless Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless powering methods for implantable electronics, such as nearfield and farfield coupling, face challenges including bulky external devices, limited miniaturization due to signal decay, and inefficient energy transfer, which complicates the incorporation of implantable devices into daily life and increases the risk of infection and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of midfield powering technology, which uses an external power source to wirelessly transmit power and data to implantable devices through a midfield transmitter, allowing for a smaller, more flexible, and efficient implantable device design with reduced battery requirements and lower manufacturing and implantation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If nearfield coupling is used for wireless powering, then power can be transmitted to implantable devices, but the external device becomes bulky and the implanted device cannot be miniaturized beyond superficial depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic field parameters by transitioning from nearfield to midfield coupling, operating at specific frequencies and field strengths that enable deeper tissue penetration while maintaining efficient power transfer to the implantable device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field regime (midfield) that bridges the gap between nearfield and farfield coupling, using specific field characteristics to penetrate deeper into tissue while maintaining coupling efficiency
2Reliability
If farfield coupling is used for wireless powering, then deeper implantation is possible, but energy transfer efficiency is limited due to radiative nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes electromagnetic field parameters by operating in the midfield regime with specific frequencies and field configurations that reduce radiative losses while maintaining deep tissue penetration capability, achieving both depth and efficiency
3Power
If conventional wireless powering methods are used, then power transmission is achieved, but manufacturing and implantation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the implantable device and places it externally, eliminating the need for large batteries and complex power management circuitry within the implant, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an external midfield transmitter as an intermediary to deliver power wirelessly, eliminating the need for complex internal power systems in the implantable device and reducing overall system cost
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
Midfield powering enables efficient wireless power and data communication to implantable devices, facilitating deeper tissue implantation, improved patient comfort, and reduced infection risks while lowering manufacturing and implantation costs.
Implementation Method 1
midfield-based devices can have various advantages over conventional implantable devices. For example, midfield powering technology need not require a relatively large implanted pulse generator
Data Source
AI summary
Generally discussed herein are systems, devices, and methods for providing a therapy (e.g., stimulation) and/or data signal using an implantable device. Systems, devices and methods for interacting with (e.g., communicating with, receiving power from) an external device are also provided.