Midfield Power Transmission for Deep Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless powering methods for implantable electronics face challenges such as bulkiness, inflexibility, and limited energy transfer efficiency due to nearfield and farfield coupling, which hinder miniaturization and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
Midfield powering technology using an external power source on the skin surface wirelessly provides power to implantable devices, eliminating the need for large generators and leads, enabling smaller, more comfortable implants with efficient power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If nearfield coupling is used for wireless powering, then power can be transferred to implantable devices, but the external coils become bulky and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic field coupling parameters from nearfield to midfield coupling, operating at specific resonant frequencies (e.g., 6.78 MHz ISM band) to achieve efficient power transfer while using smaller, more flexible external coils that can conform to patient anatomy
2Loss of energy
If nearfield coupling is used for wireless powering, then power can be transferred to implantable devices, but the implanted power harvesting structure becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters and coupling mechanism to midfield resonance, allowing the use of compact power harvesting structures with integrated antennas and circuits that are significantly smaller than conventional nearfield systems while maintaining high efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power harvesting antenna, rectifying circuitry, and control electronics into an integrated implantable unit, eliminating the need for separate large components and enabling miniaturization of the overall power harvesting structure
3Use of energy by moving object
If deep implantation is performed, then therapy can be delivered to deeper targets, but nearfield signal strength decays exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from nearfield to midfield coupling with resonant enhancement, which provides linear or polynomial signal decay with depth rather than exponential decay, enabling effective power transfer to implants at depths of several centimeters while maintaining adequate signal strength
4Length of stationary object
If farfield coupling is used for wireless powering, then power can be transferred over distance, but energy transfer efficiency is limited by radiative nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and operates at resonant frequencies where the implantable device and external transmitter are both resonant, creating a strongly coupled midfield regime that achieves high efficiency (exceeding 50%) at intermediate distances, bridging the gap between nearfield and farfield coupling
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 technology allows for smaller, more comfortable implants with lower manufacturing and implantation costs, and efficient power and data communication, achieving two to three orders of magnitude higher efficiency than nearfield systems.
Implementation Method 1
Midfield powering technology using an external power source on the skin surface wirelessly provides power to implantable devices
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.