Segmented Receiver Coil Assembly for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inductive link performance between transmitter and receiver coils in implantable medical devices, such as cochlear implants, is compromised due to the proximity of the receiver coil to metallic components, leading to poor data and power transfer efficiency, and increased magnetic interference.
Innovation Solution
A receiver coil assembly with spatially separated coil units, where the external coil is positioned on the proximal surface of the housing, closer to the skin, and the internal coil is placed within the hermetically sealed housing, allowing for independent operation and optimized inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, thereby improving the inductive link performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the receiver coil is positioned close to metallic components within the housing, then the device maintains compactness, but the inductive link performance deteriorates due to increased magnetic interference and poor data/power transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver coil is segmented into two spatially separated coil units: an external coil positioned on the proximal surface of the housing and an internal coil positioned within the hermetically sealed housing. This segmentation allows each coil unit to serve specific functions - the external coil optimizes coupling with the transmitter coil while the internal coil provides hermetic protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between compactness and inductive link performance
Solution Approach 2:
The coil units are arranged in a spatial configuration along the thickness dimension of the housing rather than placing both coils at the same location. The external coil is positioned on the proximal surface closer to the skin, while the internal coil is positioned within the housing, creating a three-dimensional spatial separation that optimizes both compactness and magnetic coupling performance
2Productivity
If the receiver coil is positioned close to the transmitter coil for optimal coupling, then data and power transfer efficiency improves, but magnetic interference from metallic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external coil acts as an intermediary element between the transmitter coil and the internal coil. It is positioned on the proximal surface of the housing to optimize coupling with the transmitter coil, while the internal coil remains protected within the hermetically sealed housing. This intermediary arrangement allows efficient magnetic coupling while minimizing direct exposure to metallic components that cause interference
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the receiver coil assembly are assigned different functions and positions: the external coil is positioned on the proximal surface where magnetic coupling is prioritized, while the internal coil is positioned within the housing where hermetic protection is prioritized. This local differentiation of quality and position optimizes both transfer efficiency and interference reduction
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 configuration enhances the data and power transfer efficiency, maintains the compactness of the internal component, and reduces magnetic interference, leading to improved performance and reliability of the implantable medical device.
Implementation Method 1
Inductive coupling is popular and effective means to realize transcutaneous link for implanted biomedical devices because a coil pair may be used both for data as well as power transmission
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a receiver coil assembly for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The receiver coil assembly includes at least two spatially separated coil units comprised by a housing of an internal component. The spatial separation is along a thickness of the housing.