Selective Voltage Boosting for Implantable Medical Device Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices using primary batteries face inefficiencies due to constant voltage boosting, which consumes power and reduces the lifespan of the battery, especially in devices where power efficiency is critical.
Innovation Solution
An improved architecture that selectively uses a boost converter to boost the primary battery voltage only when necessary, below a predetermined threshold, and allows direct voltage use by certain circuitry capable of operating at low voltages, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage boosting is constantly applied to maintain circuit operation, then device functionality is ensured, but power consumption increases and battery lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage boosting by monitoring the primary battery voltage and activating the DC-DC converter only when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its power management strategy based on real-time battery conditions, ensuring device functionality when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating voltage parameter dynamically by switching between direct battery connection and DC-DC converter activation based on voltage threshold conditions. This parameter change strategy optimizes power usage by maintaining efficient direct connection during adequate voltage conditions and transitioning to boosted voltage only when necessary to maintain device operation.
2Reliability
If DC-DC converter is always active to ensure sufficient voltage, then circuit operation is maintained, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic monitoring of battery voltage levels and activates the DC-DC converter in periodic intervals only when the voltage threshold is breached. This periodic action replaces continuous converter operation, maintaining circuit operation reliability while significantly reducing energy losses associated with constant voltage conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the DC-DC converter from continuous operation and activates it only when specifically needed based on voltage conditions. This extraction principle removes the unnecessary energy loss component from the system during periods when direct battery connection suffices, thereby improving overall power efficiency while maintaining circuit operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If primary battery voltage is used directly by all circuitry, then power consumption is minimized, but device reliability decreases when voltage drops below threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DC-DC converter as an intermediary component between the primary battery and the circuitry when voltage conditions require intervention. This intermediary boosts the battery voltage to sufficient levels, ensuring device reliability during low-voltage conditions while allowing direct battery connection to prevail during adequate voltage conditions, thus optimizing the balance between power consumption and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two power delivery modes: direct battery connection for power efficiency and DC-DC converter mediation for reliability. This dynamic adaptation based on real-time voltage monitoring ensures that the system maintains optimal performance characteristics across varying battery conditions.
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 results in significant power savings and improved efficiency, extending the life of the primary battery and maintaining device functionality by optimizing power usage based on the battery's voltage level.
Implementation Method 1
a boost converter to selectively boost the voltage of a primary battery when the magnitude thereof is below a threshold
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
An improved architecture for an implantable medical device using a primary battery is disclosed which reduces the circumstances in which the voltage of the primary battery is boosted, and hence reduces the power draw in the implant. The architecture includes a boost converter for selectively boosting the voltage of the primary battery and for supplying that boosted voltage to certain of the circuit blocks, including digital circuitry, analog circuitry, and memory. However, the boost converter is only used to boost the battery voltage when its magnitude is below a threshold; if above the threshold, the battery voltage is passed to the circuit blocks without boosting. Additionally, some circuitry capable of operation even at low battery voltages- including the telemetry tank circuitry and the compliance voltage generator- receives the battery voltage directly without boosting, and without regard to the current magnitude of the battery voltage.