Implantable Neurostimulator Segmentation for Reliable RF Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio-frequency based neural stimulation systems face issues with real-time operation reliability due to the need for simultaneous electrical energy and signal transmission, leading to increased complexity, size, and communication reliability concerns, which can disrupt treatment.
Innovation Solution
An implantable neurostimulator system with a built-in main control CPU and memory that stores clinical parameters, allowing it to generate stimulation pulses independently, while the extracorporeal energy controller configures treatment settings and stores operation data, ensuring stable power supply through an energy storage circuit and adjusting transmission power based on feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the extracorporeal energy controller provides electrical energy and input signals simultaneously to the implantable neurostimulator in real-time, then the treatment can be continuously adjusted, but the system complexity increases and real-time operation reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power supply function (extracorporeal energy controller) from the signal generation function (implantable neurostimulator with built-in CPU). The implantable device generates stimulation pulses independently using stored parameters, while the external controller only provides power and occasionally updates parameters. This segmentation eliminates the need for simultaneous real-time transmission of both energy and control signals, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If dual frequency operating mode is adopted to enable real-time operation, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal generation function from the external controller and places it inside the implantable neurostimulator. This eliminates the need for dual-frequency operation to simultaneously transmit power and control signals, as control signals are no longer transmitted in real-time from outside. The simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining communication reliability through occasional parameter updates.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the extracorporeal energy controller is positioned away from the patient or accidentally impacted, then patient safety is compromised, but keeping the controller close increases patient burden
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable neurostimulator is pre-configured with a built-in CPU and memory that store stimulation parameters and control algorithms. This preliminary action enables the device to operate autonomously without requiring continuous external control, allowing the extracorporeal controller to be removed from the patient's vicinity while maintaining treatment safety and reliability.
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
Improves operation reliability by eliminating the need for real-time communication, ensuring stable power supply, and allowing smooth operation even during communication interruptions, thus preventing treatment failures.
Implementation Method 1
the implantable neurostimulator communicates with and receives electrical energy from the extracorporeal energy controller through radio frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an implantable nerve stimulator system. An extracorporeal energy controller of the implantable nerve stimulator system transmits electrical energy to an implantable neurostimulator through radio frequency and communicates with it, including: an input device through which the extracorporeal energy controller receives information; an antenna module that is RF coupling with a stimulator antenna of the implantable neurostimulator; a display device for displaying data, instructions, and the input information; a storage unit storing running programs, input information, and data; and a control unit respectively connected to the input device, the antenna module, and a display device to control the operation of the entire extracorporeal energy controller. The neural stimulation system of the present invention can avoid treatment failure caused by short-term interruption of communication and provide stable power supply to the implantable neurostimulator.