Recharge Coil Loading Detection for IMD Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aligning an external recharging device with an implanted medical device (IMD) for efficient energy transfer is challenging due to infrequent communication between the devices, leading to prolonged recharge times and increased heating.
Innovation Solution
The recharging device detects metal loading on its coil to determine alignment changes without continuous communication with the IMD, using electrical properties to provide real-time feedback to the user for improved alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the recharging device uses infrequent communication with the IMD to detect alignment, then device complexity is reduced, but recharge time increases and energy transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The recharging device monitors its own coil loading conditions directly without requiring communication with the IMD. The processing circuitry detects changes in electrical properties (impedance, current, voltage) of the recharge coil to determine alignment status independently, allowing the system to self-diagnose alignment issues without external communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/communication-based alignment detection system with an electrical field-based detection system. Instead of communicating with the IMD to query alignment status, the system uses electrical property monitoring of the coil to detect metal loading and infer alignment, substituting communication protocols with electrical measurement.
2Device complexity
If the recharging device uses infrequent communication with the IMD to detect alignment, then device complexity is reduced, but energy transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The recharging device monitors its own coil loading conditions directly without requiring communication with the IMD. The processing circuitry detects changes in electrical properties (impedance, current, voltage) of the recharge coil to determine alignment status independently, allowing the system to self-diagnose alignment issues without external communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user about alignment status based on coil loading detection. The processing circuitry continuously monitors electrical properties and provides feedback signals to the user interface, enabling the user to adjust the position of the recharging device to optimize energy transfer efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the recharging device does not provide real-time alignment feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but heating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user about alignment status based on coil loading detection. The processing circuitry continuously monitors electrical properties and provides feedback signals to the user interface, enabling the user to adjust the position of the recharging device to optimize energy transfer efficiency and reduce unnecessary heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/communication-based alignment detection system with an electrical field-based detection system. Instead of communicating with the IMD to query alignment status, the system uses electrical property monitoring of the coil to detect metal loading and infer alignment, substituting communication protocols with electrical measurement.
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 approach allows for faster detection of alignment issues, reducing wasted charging time and heat generation by enabling quick adjustments to enhance energy transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a recharge coil configured to transfer energy to an implantable medical device (IMD)
Implementation Method 2
charging circuitry coupled to the recharge coil and configured to determine one or more electrical properties of the recharge coil during the transfer of energy
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques provide feedback to a patient to help the patient align a charging device to a medical device. In some examples, system may include a recharge coil configured to transfer energy to an implantable medical device (IMD) and detect metal loading and charging circuitry coupled to the recharge coil and configured to determine one or more electrical properties of the recharge coil during the transfer of energy. The system may also include processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the one or more electrical properties, a load on the recharge coil, compare the load on the recharge coil to one or more thresholds, and responsive to the load satisfying the threshold, perform an action associated with the transfer of energy to the IMD. An action may include displaying feedback regarding positioning of the charging device.