Heart Pacemaker Friction Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart pacemakers require replacement every 10 years due to battery lifespan limitations, necessitating frequent surgeries and increased burden on patients, with existing power reduction methods failing to address fundamental energy consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
A heart pacemaker that incorporates a generator using a friction element to harvest nonlinear electrical energy, coupled with a multi-stage energy storage system and power manager to optimize energy storage and supply, extending the device's lifespan by 50% or more.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery is used to power the heart pacemaker, then the device can operate reliably, but the battery lifespan limits the pacemaker to about 10 years requiring replacement surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-stage energy storage system that pre-stores electrical energy in multiple capacitors before the battery is depleted. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the pacemaker to continue operating beyond the battery's designed lifespan, delaying or eliminating the need for replacement surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage parameters by introducing multiple energy storage stages with different voltage levels and capacities. This allows the system to optimize energy utilization at different operating phases, extending the overall device lifespan beyond what a single battery can provide.
2Use of energy by moving object
If integrated semiconductors are used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but fundamental energy consumption cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service energy harvesting mechanism where the pacemaker generates its own additional energy through body motion using a friction-based generator. This self-powered energy supplementation reduces dependence on battery power and integrated semiconductor efficiency, fundamentally addressing energy consumption limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple energy sources (battery, friction-based generator, and multi-stage energy storage system) into a hybrid power architecture. This combination allows the system to leverage both conventional battery reliability and innovative energy harvesting to overcome the limitations of either approach alone.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a friction element is inserted to harvest nonlinear electrical energy, then energy generation is extended, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the friction-based generator and multi-stage energy storage system within the existing pacemaker housing. The generator is positioned to utilize body motion, while multiple capacitors are arranged in a compact nested configuration, minimizing the increase in device volume and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the energy storage function into multiple independent capacitors rather than using a single large capacitor. This segmentation allows for modular design, easier integration, and independent optimization of each energy storage stage, reducing overall system complexity while extending lifespan.
4Productivity
If multi-stage multiple energy storages are used to store electrical energy, then energy utilization efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based power management system that continuously monitors the charge levels of multiple capacitors and dynamically controls energy transfer between stages. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
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
The solution enables extended pacemaker lifespan through efficient energy harvesting and storage, reducing the need for frequent replacements and associated surgical burdens, while maintaining reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a generator configured to generate nonlinear electrical energy using a friction element
Data Source
AI summary
A heart pacemaker according to the present invention includes a generator configured to generate nonlinear electrical energy using a friction element and an energy harvester configured to sequentially store the generated nonlinear electrical energy in multi-stage multiple energy storages and supply the electrical energy stored in the multiple energy storages.