RF Shielded Container for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) consume power unnecessarily by responding to unintended radiofrequency (RF) communications, reducing their battery life and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a two-container system where a first sterile medical device container is transparent to specific RF frequencies and encased in a second container made of RF shielding material, which is opaque to these frequencies, preventing unintended RF signals from reaching the IMD and thus conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the IMD is stored in a container that is transparent to RF signals, then the IMD can communicate with external devices, but the IMD may receive and respond to unintended RF communications, consuming power
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into two distinct containers: a first container that is transparent to RF signals to enable communication, and a second container that is opaque to RF signals to block unintended communications. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both RF communication capability and power conservation by placing the transparent container inside the opaque container.
Solution Approach 2:
The first container acts as an intermediary between the IMD and the external environment. It allows intended RF signals to pass through to the IMD while being contained within the second opaque container that blocks unintended signals. This intermediary structure enables selective communication.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the IMD is shielded from RF signals to conserve power, then the IMD cannot respond to intended communications
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-container structure segments the shielding function from the communication function. The second container provides RF shielding to conserve power, while the first container maintains RF transparency to enable communication. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system exhibits different RF transmission properties in different locations/layers. The first container has local quality of RF transparency where communication is needed, while the second container has local quality of RF opacity where shielding is needed. This spatial differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction.
3Device complexity
If a single container provides both sterile protection and RF shielding, then the device complexity is reduced, but it may not achieve both sterility and power conservation effectively
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a single complex container trying to do everything, the solution segments the functions into two separate containers. The first container handles sterility and RF transparency, while the second container handles RF shielding. This segmentation achieves better reliability than a single integrated container would provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sterile container is nested inside the second shielding container. This nested arrangement allows both containers to fulfill their specific functions simultaneously - the inner container maintains sterility and allows RF communication, while the outer container provides RF shielding. The nesting structure achieves multiple functions without requiring a single overly complex container.
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 shields IMDs from unintended RF communications, conserving power and preventing unnecessary activation, thereby extending battery life and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The second container includes RF shielding material that is substantially opaque to the RF signals in the particular frequency range
Implementation Method 2
The first sterile medical device container is transparent to RF signals in a particular frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first sterile medical device container. The first sterile medical device container is transparent to radiofrequency (RF) signals in a particular frequency range. The system also includes a sterile medical device within the first sterile medical device container. The sterile medical device is capable of radiofrequency communication through the first sterile medical device container using the particular frequency range. The system further includes a second container fully enclosing the first sterile medical device container and the sterile medical device, the second container including RF shielding material that is substantially opaque to the RF signals in the particular frequency range.