Parallel Coil Antenna for Medical Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas used in transcutaneously powered medical implants, such as cochlear implants, suffer from high energy loss rates, which can be improved upon while still being manufacturable using conventional techniques.
Innovation Solution
The development of an antenna apparatus with coils electrically connected in parallel, reducing series resistance and increasing the Q factor, thereby lowering energy loss, utilizing multiple turns on insulating substrates with conductive vias for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional antenna designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but energy loss is high
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple separate coils (first coil and second coil) that are electrically connected in parallel. Each coil can be manufactured independently on separate substrates using conventional techniques, then assembled together to form the complete antenna structure, reducing energy loss while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple coils are electrically connected in parallel to combine their effects, achieving lower overall resistance and reduced energy loss. The parallel connection merges the electrical pathways while allowing each coil to contribute to the overall antenna performance
2Reliability
If parallel coil connection is implemented, then Q factor increases and energy loss decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple independently manufacturable coils that are later assembled and connected in parallel. This allows each coil to be manufactured using conventional techniques separately, then combined to achieve the desired parallel connection for improved efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive vias and connection elements serve as intermediaries to electrically connect the separate coils in parallel. These intermediary components facilitate the electrical connection between independently manufactured coils, enabling the parallel configuration that improves power transmission efficiency
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 parallel-connected coil design results in a higher Q factor, indicating lower energy loss and improved efficiency in power transmission for medical implants like cochlear stimulation systems, enhancing the performance of transcutaneous power and data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Inductive links are commonly used to transmit power and data to implanted medical devices
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna apparatus having a first coil including at least one turn on at least one first-coil substrate and a second coil including at least one turn on at least one second-coil substrate. The first and second coils are electrically connected to one another in parallel.