Passive Implantable Relay Module for Wireless Neural Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for delivering electrical stimulation to excitable tissues within the body face challenges in efficiently powering implanted stimulator devices without the need for cables or inductive coupling, particularly in maintaining effective energy transfer and minimizing tissue heating during magnetic resonance scans.
Innovation Solution
A passive implantable relay module that uses non-inductive coupling to transfer electromagnetic energy from an external antenna to a wireless neural stimulator device, featuring a metal core and dielectric coating to optimize energy propagation and minimize heating, allowing for efficient power delivery and alignment with the stimulator device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inductive coupling is used to transfer energy to implanted stimulator, then wireless power transfer is achieved, but tissue heating occurs during magnetic resonance scans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay module as an intermediary device implanted in the subject. This relay module receives electromagnetic energy from an external antenna through non-inductive coupling and transfers it to the target stimulator device, also through non-inductive coupling. The relay module acts as a mediator that enables wireless power transfer while avoiding the harmful inductive coupling effects that cause tissue heating during MRI scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces inductive coupling (electromagnetic induction mechanism) with non-inductive coupling (radiative electromagnetic coupling). This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of inductive coupling during MRI scans while maintaining wireless power transfer capability. The system uses electromagnetic waves rather than magnetic field induction to transfer energy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-inductive coupling is used for wireless energy transfer, then tissue heating is minimized, but energy transfer efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless power transfer path into multiple segments: external antenna to relay module, and relay module to target stimulator device. Each segment uses non-inductive coupling to minimize tissue heating. The relay module segments the energy transfer process, allowing optimization of each segment while maintaining overall efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the relay module's antenna parameters (size, shape, orientation, resonant frequency) to maximize energy reception and transmission efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves efficient non-inductive coupling while maintaining the safety advantage of avoiding inductive coupling effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If relay module is implanted to enable non-inductive coupling, then wireless power transfer with reduced heating is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay module is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving electromagnetic energy from external antennas, processing the energy, and transmitting it to various target stimulator devices. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the goal of safe wireless power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay module is designed as a passive device that automatically receives, processes, and forwards electromagnetic energy without requiring active control or power management systems. This self-service approach simplifies the device architecture by eliminating complex control circuits while still achieving the desired energy transfer function.
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 reliable and efficient wireless power transfer to implanted stimulator devices, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while reducing tissue heating during magnetic resonance scans.
Implementation Method 1
a first coupler arm configured to wirelessly receive electromagnetic energy radiated through non-inductive coupling from a transmitting antenna located outside a subject's body
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic waves carrying the electromagnetic energy received at the first coupler arm propagate along the first metal core to arrive at the second coupler arm
Implementation Method 3
the electromagnetic energy arriving is wirelessly transferred, again through non-inductive coupling, to a receiving antenna on a passive wireless neural stimulator device
Data Source
AI summary
A passive implantable relay module includes a first coupler arm configured to wirelessly receive electromagnetic energy radiated through electric radiative coupling from a transmitting antenna located outside a subject's body; a second coupler arm; and a connector portion comprising a first metal core and a first dielectric coating surrounding the first metal core, the connector portion configured to connect the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm such that when the passive implantable relay module is implanted inside the subject's body and the transmitting antenna initiates wireless energy transfer to the first coupler arm via non-inductive coupling, electromagnetic waves carrying the electromagnetic energy received at the first coupler arm propagate along the first metal core to arrive at the second coupler arm, where the electromagnetic energy arriving is wirelessly transferred, again via non-inductive coupling, to a receiving antenna on a passive wireless neural stimulator device.