Midfield Wireless Power Transfer for Deep Tissue Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems for implantable devices are limited by size asymmetry, require large structures for energy storage, and are sensitive to coil alignment, making them inefficient for deep tissue penetration and spatially focused power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A midfield wireless power transfer approach using sub-wavelength structures that manipulate evanescent fields outside tissue to generate propagating fields inside, enabling spatially focused and adaptive steering of electromagnetic energy for implantable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional near-field magnetic coupling is used, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but the system is sensitive to coil alignment and requires physical proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from near-field magnetic coupling to mid-field electromagnetic radiation by changing the operating parameters (frequency, field type). This allows power transfer over greater distances with reduced sensitivity to alignment, as the system operates in the radiative regime where electromagnetic waves propagate more freely compared to the evanescent near-field regime
2Power
If large structures are used for energy storage, then power capacity is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electrical energy storage systems (batteries, capacitors) with wireless electromagnetic energy transfer. This substitution eliminates the need for large on-board energy storage, dramatically reducing device size and weight while maintaining power delivery capability through external mid-field coupling
3Power
If near-field coupling is used, then power transfer is achieved, but deep tissue penetration and spatial focusing are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional near-field coupling (requiring close proximity and alignment) to three-dimensional mid-field radiation (enabling deep tissue penetration). The radiative electromagnetic fields can propagate through tissue volume and be focused at specific depths, overcoming the geometric constraints of near-field approaches
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 method allows for efficient wireless power transfer to deep tissue locations, supporting advanced medical applications like real-time monitoring and control with small, implantable devices that can be delivered minimally invasively, exceeding conventional systems in performance and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sub-wavelength structures configured to transmit wireless power by manipulating evanescent fields outside of tissue to generate propagating fields inside the patient's tissue
Implementation Method 2
Interference resulting from phase differences between these components affords additional opportunity for spatially focused and dynamically adjustable field patterns inside tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable devices and/or sensors can be wirelessly powered by controlling and propagating electromagnetic waves in a patient's tissue. Such implantable devices/sensors can be implanted at target locations in a patient, to stimulate areas such as the heart, brain, spinal cord, or muscle tissue, and/or to sense biological, physiological, chemical attributes of the blood, tissue, and other patient parameters. The propagating electromagnetic waves can be generated with sub-wavelength structures configured to manipulate evanescent fields outside of tissue to generate the propagating waves inside the tissue. Methods of use are also described.