Implantable Recharging Bridge for Inductive Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices often require periodic recharging of their power supplies, such as batteries, which can be inefficiently managed, especially when implanted within patients, as existing methods lack effective and efficient means for inductive energy transfer from external sources to internal devices.
Innovation Solution
A recharging bridge system is implanted within the patient, comprising a receive coil, a transmit coil, and a connector, allowing inductive energy transfer from an external transmitter to an implantable medical device, with the receive coil positioned near the skin and the transmit coil near the implant site, facilitating efficient energy transfer and recharging of devices like leadless cardiac pacemakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inductive energy transfer is implemented from external transmitter to implantable medical device, then recharging efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple coils and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable medical device is segmented into multiple functional components: a receive coil for receiving inductive energy from external transmitters, a transmit coil for re-transmitting energy to the rechargeable battery, and a connector for electrical connection between coils. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve efficient wireless recharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the receive coil and transmit coil are positioned within the same implantable device housing, with the connector electrically coupling them. The transmit coil is positioned to be spaced from the receive coil, creating a nested arrangement that enables cascaded inductive energy transfer from external transmitter → receive coil → transmit coil → rechargeable battery, improving charging efficiency while containing all components within a single implantable unit.
2Productivity
If the transmit coil is spaced from the receive coil, then inductive energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the device occupies larger volume
Solution Approach 1:
The receive coil and transmit coil are nested within the same implantable device housing, with the transmit coil positioned to be spaced from the receive coil by a distance optimized for inductive coupling. This nested arrangement allows the coils to be close enough for efficient energy transfer while maintaining a compact overall device volume suitable for implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the transmit coil at a specific spacing distance from the receive coil, creating an optimal local electromagnetic field configuration for inductive energy transfer. This localized optimization of coil spacing maximizes energy transfer efficiency at the specific location where the coils are positioned within the device housing.
3Productivity
If multiple coils are used for inductive energy transfer, then recharging capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is manufactured as an integrated assembly with the receive coil, transmit coil, and connector as separate but coupled components. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently using established coil manufacturing techniques, then assembled together as a complete implantable device, balancing manufacturing feasibility with enhanced recharging capability.
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 system enables efficient and reliable recharging of implantable medical devices, ensuring continuous operation by effectively transferring inductive energy from external sources to internal devices, improving the longevity and reliability of implantable medical devices like pacemakers.
Implementation Method 1
a receive coil configured to be implanted relatively nearer to the transmitting coil to receive inductive energy from the transmitting coil
Implementation Method 2
a transmit coil configured to be implanted relatively nearer the implantable medical device such that inductive energy received by the receive coil from the transmitting coil is transferred to the transmit coil and re-transmitted by the transmit coil to the implantable medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recharging an implantable medical device having a rechargeable battery while the implantable medical device is implanted within a patient includes a recharge energy source configured to be disposed exterior to the patient and a recharging bridge configured to be implanted within the patient. The recharging bridge is configured to facilitate energy transfer from the recharge energy source to the implantable medical device.