Patch Antenna Assembly with Capacitance Adjustment Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna technologies for implanted medical devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting electromagnetic energy through the body without direct contact or inductive coupling, particularly in maintaining a high reflection ratio and resonant frequency matching with minimal skin separation and without gel coupling.
Innovation Solution
A patch antenna assembly with a signal metal layer, ground plane, microstrip, and capacitance adjustment pad is designed to emit linearly polarized electromagnetic energy, operating with a reflection ratio of at least 10 dB and adjustable resonant frequency, suitable for wireless stimulation systems to power implanted devices up to 12 cm beneath the skin without direct contact or gel coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If existing antenna technologies are used to transmit electromagnetic energy through the body without direct contact, then wireless power delivery is achieved, but the reflection ratio is insufficient and resonant frequency matching is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a capacitance adjustment pad that allows dynamic tuning of the antenna's resonant frequency to match the RF signal generator frequency. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to maintain optimal resonant frequency matching despite variations in skin separation distance, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable frequency matching and operating without direct contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna system by introducing a capacitance adjustment pad with variable capacitance values. By adjusting the capacitance parameter, the resonant frequency of the antenna can be tuned to match the RF signal generator, improving both the reflection ratio and frequency matching reliability simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the patch antenna assembly is positioned away from the skin to avoid direct contact, then patient comfort and hygiene are improved, but the transmission efficiency decreases due to increased separation distance
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitance adjustment pad provides dynamic compensation for the increased separation distance between the antenna and skin. By adjusting the capacitance value based on the separation distance, the system maintains optimal resonant frequency matching and transmission efficiency even when the antenna is positioned away from the skin for patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the resonant frequency matching condition and adjust the capacitance accordingly. This feedback control enables the system to maintain high transmission efficiency regardless of the antenna-to-skin separation distance, resolving the contradiction between patient comfort and transmission efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If gel coupling is eliminated to simplify the system and improve hygiene, then ease of cleaning and patient hygiene are improved, but the coupling between antenna and skin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gel coupling medium from the system, eliminating the need for cleaning and improving hygiene. The capacitance adjustment pad compensates for the removed coupling effect by tuning the resonant frequency to optimize energy transfer through air or minimal contact, thereby maintaining energy coupling efficiency without gel.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitance adjustment pad acts as an electrical intermediary that compensates for the absence of gel coupling. By adjusting the capacitance, it creates an optimal electrical connection for energy transfer without requiring physical gel contact, thus simplifying the system while maintaining coupling efficiency.
4Area of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to make the device more wearable and comfortable, then device comfort and portability are improved, but the energy transmission capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitance adjustment to change the electrical parameters of the reduced-size antenna. By tuning the capacitance value, the resonant frequency and impedance of the smaller antenna are optimized to maximize energy transmission capability, allowing the antenna to be both small and powerful.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic capacitance adjustment enables the smaller antenna to adapt its electrical characteristics to maintain optimal energy transmission. This dynamic tuning compensates for the reduced physical size, allowing the compact antenna to achieve transmission capabilities comparable to larger antennas.
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 patch antenna assembly effectively transmits electromagnetic energy with a high reflection ratio and adjustable resonant frequency, ensuring efficient power delivery to implanted devices, even with air gaps, and maintains performance across varying skin separations, enhancing the efficacy of wireless neural stimulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a microstrip attached to the capacitance adjustment pad and configured to induce the emitted electromagnetic energy to be linearly polarized along a longitudinal direction of the microstrip
Implementation Method 2
a signal metal layer configured to emit linearly polarized electromagnetic energy to a receiving antenna implanted up to 12 cm underneath a subject's skin
Implementation Method 3
a capacitance adjustment pad configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the patch antenna assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A patch antenna assembly that includes a signal metal layer configured to emit linearly polarized electromagnetic energy to a receiving antenna implanted up to 12 cm underneath a subject's skin; a signal metal layer substrate on which the signal metal layer substrate is positioned; a ground plane located next to the signal metal layer substrate and further away from the subject's skin; a microstrip and capacitance adjustment pad metal layer substrate located next to the ground plane; and a microstrip and capacitance adjustment pad metal layer next to the microstrip and capacitance adjustment pad metal layer substrate, the microstrip and capacitance adjustment pad metal layer comprising: a capacitance adjustment pad configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the patch antenna assembly; and a microstrip attached to the capacitance adjustment pad and configured to induce the emitted electromagnetic energy to be linearly polarized along a longitudinal direction of the microstrip.