PCB-Wrapped Inductive Charging Coil for Deeper Implant Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable medical devices face inefficiencies in inductive charging due to the orientation of the charging coil, which affects power transfer and depth of penetration into the body, limiting the device's operational lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The charging coil is wound perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate enclosure, allowing it to utilize the magnetic field generated by an external coil more efficiently, enhancing power transfer and depth of penetration up to 60 mm into the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the charging coil is wrapped around a support structure with its axis aligned along the longitudinal axis of the elongate enclosure, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the power transfer efficiency and depth of penetration are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional coil orientation by wrapping the charging coil around the PCB with its winding axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate enclosure. This inversion allows the coil to better utilize the magnetic field generated by external transmitting coils, improving power transfer efficiency and depth of penetration up to 60 mm into the patient's body.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the charging coil is wrapped around the PCB with winding axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, then the power transfer efficiency and depth of penetration are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging coil with the PCB structure by wrapping the coil directly around the PCB that supports the electronic components. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while achieving improved power transfer efficiency, as the coil utilizes the PCB as its support structure rather than requiring a separate support framework.
3Device complexity
If the charging coil is oriented with axis along the longitudinal axis of the enclosure, then the magnetic field utilization is limited, but the device structure remains conventional and simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional orientation of the charging coil from a longitudinal alignment to a transverse alignment relative to the elongate enclosure. By wrapping the coil around the PCB with its winding axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the coil operates in a different spatial dimension that enables better magnetic field coupling with external transmitting coils, thereby improving depth of penetration 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
This configuration improves the quality factor (Q) of the inductive charging coil, resulting in more efficient power transfer and extended operational life for the implantable medical device.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive charging coil that is configured to convert inductive charging signals into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the inductive charging coil will use that portion of the magnetic field generated by an external transmitting coil
Data Source
AI summary
An active implantable medical device (AIMD) is described. The AIMD has a rechargeable electrical energy power source connected to a PCB assembly for powering the medical device. The AIMD can sense biological signals from a patient, or it can have at least two electrodes that provide stimulation therapy to the patient. An inductive charging coil housed inside an elongate device enclosure is connected to the power source. The inductive charging coil has winds of an electrically conductive wire or tape that wrap around the PCB. The winds of the inductive charging coil have an upper wind portion residing above the PCB and a lower wind portion below the PCB. Opposed curved ends of the inductive charging coil winds are continuous with the upper and lower wind portions. This structure provides the inductive charging coil with a length aligned along a longitudinal axis of the PCB. In that manner, the inductive charging coil occupies a space otherwise not used in an elongate cylindrical enclosure for an AIMD.