Moveable Charging Coil External Charger for Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging multiple implantable microstimulators simultaneously poses challenges due to varying coupling efficiencies between the external charger and each device, leading to uneven charging speeds and potential overheating, as the same magnetic charging field affects devices differently based on their placement and alignment.

Innovation Solution

Mechanically customizable external chargers with positionable charging coils, using linear actuators or inflatable bladders, to optimize the magnetic field distribution, ensuring uniform charging by adjusting the coil position based on coupling data from each microstimulator, thereby mitigating temperature and charging rate disparities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single magnetic charging field is used to charge multiple microstimulators simultaneously, then charging convenience is improved, but charging uniformity deteriorates due to varying coupling efficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidcharging uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the charging system into multiple independent charging coils, each capable of being individually controlled and positioned. This segmentation allows each coil to be optimized for coupling with specific microstimulators, thereby maintaining charging uniformity across multiple devices while preserving the convenience of simultaneous charging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces moveable charging coils that can be dynamically repositioned using actuators or bladders. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt coil positions based on the specific locations and coupling characteristics of implanted microstimulators, ensuring uniform charging across multiple devices without compromising operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the magnetic charging field is intensified to speed up charging, then charging speed is improved, but temperature control deteriorates leading to potential overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different magnetic field intensities to different regions by using multiple independently controllable charging coils. Each coil can be adjusted to provide the optimal field strength for its specific target microstimulator, thereby achieving fast charging where needed while maintaining temperature control in other regions through reduced field intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If fixed charging coil position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for different implant locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharger structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to implant locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual adjustment mechanisms with automated actuation systems (actuators or bladders) that can be controlled electronically. This substitution maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling automated adaptation to different implant locations, as the system can programmatically adjust coil positions based on feedback from the implanted devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables simultaneous charging of multiple microstimulators at a uniform rate while minimizing overheating, improving safety and efficiency by customizing the magnetic field to match the specific coupling characteristics of each device.

Implementation Method 1

The coil 210 is configured to generate a magnetic charging field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

varying coupling efficiencies between the external charger and each device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8994325B2External charger for an implantable medical device having at least one moveable charging coil

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include design elements for mechanically manipulating the position of one or more charging coils within the external charger to customize the magnetic charging field as appropriate for the charger/implantable device environment. For example, a single charging coil may be moved within a housing of the external charger to direct the charging field of the coil towards the currently “coldest” implant, i.e., the implant with the lowest coupling to the external charger. The one or more charging coils may be mechanically manipulated within the external charger housing in a number of ways, including by using linear actuators, by inflatable bladders, or even by hand.