Predictive Supply Voltage Control for Brain Stimulation Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices, particularly brain stimulation devices, face inefficiencies in power supply due to varying impedance, leading to high power loss and reduced battery life, which is also a challenge for other electronic devices and grid-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a voltage converter and control unit that predicts changes in output signal characteristics based on input and detected signal values, adjusting the control signal to maintain optimal supply potential, reducing power consumption and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher voltage is provided to ensure proper stimulation in varying impedance conditions, then the reliability of stimulation is improved, but the power loss in electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by continuously monitoring the output signal characteristics and adapting the supply voltage in real-time. The control unit modifies the control signal to the voltage converter based on detected output signal values, ensuring the voltage is optimized for current operating conditions rather than being statically high, thus reducing power loss while maintaining stimulation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the control unit detects output signal characteristics and uses this information to adjust the control signal for the voltage converter. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the supply voltage is dynamically optimized based on actual output requirements, preventing excessive voltage and associated power loss while maintaining reliable stimulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed high supply voltage is used to account for impedance variations, then the adaptability to varying conditions is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed voltage approach to a dynamic adaptive voltage system. The control unit continuously monitors output signal characteristics and adjusts the supply voltage in real-time according to actual impedance conditions, ensuring adaptability without the constant energy overhead of fixed high voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the supply voltage parameter dynamically based on detected output signal characteristics. Instead of maintaining a fixed high voltage, the system adjusts the voltage parameter in response to varying impedance conditions, achieving adaptability while optimizing energy consumption by matching voltage to actual requirements.
3Loss of energy
If predictive adjustment of control signal is implemented, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary adjustment of the control signal by predicting required voltage changes based on detected output signal characteristics. This predictive action allows the system to proactively optimize voltage before inefficiencies occur, improving energy efficiency without requiring overly complex real-time reaction mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a circuit (100) for a medical device, comprising: —a voltage converter (110, 300) which is configured to provide at least one supply potential (HV) depending on a control signal (302, PWM) provided to the voltage converter (110, 300), —a control unit (P) which is configured to provide the control signal (302, PWM) for the voltage converter (110, 300), —a signal source (TCA, 400) which is powered by the at least one supply potential (+HV) and which is configured to provide an output signal at an output of the signal source (TCA, 400), wherein the signal source (TCA, 400) is configured to provide the output signal dependent on an input signal (120) at an input of the signal source (TCA, 400), —wherein the control unit (P) comprises: —a prediction unit (160) which is configured to predict a change in the characteristic of the output signal based on at least one of a) at least one value of the input signal and b) at least one detected value of the output signal, and —an adjusting unit (160) which is configured to adjust the control signal (302, PWM) based on the predicted change in the characteristic of the output signal.