Predictive Charging Controller for IMD Overheating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face overheating issues during charging due to rapid energy input, leading to potential tissue damage and inefficient battery usage in external chargers, as excess energy is transmitted even when rejected by the IMD.
Innovation Solution
A charging energy control system that includes an IMD and an external charger with a charging controller to predict and cease or reduce energy transmission during predicted rejection periods, preventing overheating and conserving energy by distinguishing between charging acceptance and rejection periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If charging energy is transmitted quickly to the IMD, then charging speed is improved, but the temperature of the IMD increases to dangerous levels causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The external charger predicts future charging rejection periods based on past IMD charging behavior patterns. By anticipating when the IMD will reject charging energy, the charger can proactively reduce or cease energy transmission before rejection occurs, preventing temperature escalation and tissue damage while maintaining efficient charging during acceptance periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors IMD charging acceptance and rejection patterns, using this feedback to adjust charging energy transmission in real-time. The charger modifies its energy output based on observed IMD responses, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes charging speed while preventing overheating
2Productivity
If charging energy is transmitted rapidly, then charging efficiency is improved, but energy is wasted as heat due to eddy currents in the metal can
Solution Approach 1:
By predicting charging rejection periods in advance based on historical charging patterns, the external charger can reduce energy transmission before the IMD rejects the energy. This prevents energy from being converted to heat through eddy currents in the metal can during rejection periods, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining efficient charging during acceptance periods
3Reliability
If the external charger transmits charging energy continuously, then charging capability is maintained, but the battery of the external charger is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The external charger operates in periodic cycles, transmitting charging energy during predicted acceptance periods and ceasing or reducing transmission during predicted rejection periods. This periodic on-off charging pattern maintains the charging capability when the IMD needs energy while conserving the external charger's battery life by avoiding continuous energy transmission during rejection periods
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of IMD overheating and conserves energy in both the IMD and the external charger by optimizing energy transmission based on predicted rejection periods, enhancing safety and battery life.
Implementation Method 1
an external charger that transmits charging energy into the IMDs, such as through radio frequency (RF) signals
Implementation Method 2
The IMD typically includes a pre-regulator that accepts the charging energy when the internal battery requires charging, but rejects the charging energy when the battery is charged to an acceptable or full level
Implementation Method 3
Some of the charging energy available to the IMD is often wasted as heat, which may be caused by eddy currents in the metal can or case of the IMD
Implementation Method 4
If charging energy is input into the IMD too quickly, the temperature of the IMD may increase to dangerous levels and may cause tissue damage
Data Source
AI summary
A charging energy control system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external charger. The IMD receives charging energy to recharge a battery during a charging energy acceptance period and rejects the charging energy during an actual charging energy rejection period. The external charger transmits the charging energy to the IMD in order to recharge the battery. The external charger includes a charging controller configured to determine the actual charging energy rejection period, and regulate the charging energy during which the charging controller predicts a predicted charging energy rejection period of the IMD based on the actual recharging energy rejection period. The charging controller is configured to cease or reduce transmission of the charging energy during a charging energy conservation period that is at least a portion of the predicted charging energy rejection period.