Implantable Stimulator Wireless Power Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical electrical stimulation devices face challenges in accurately controlling the level of electrical stimulation therapy delivered to patients, particularly when the implantable device lacks a power source and intelligent therapy delivery components, leading to inefficiencies in energy transfer and therapy management.
Innovation Solution
An external device wirelessly outputs energy signals to an implantable device, which transduces the energy into electrical power for therapy delivery, with a feedback signal containing relative and reference voltage levels allowing the external device to determine the absolute power level and adjust the energy signal to maintain optimal therapy levels, enabling closed-loop control and precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the implantable device lacks a power source and intelligent therapy delivery components, then the device size and complexity are reduced, but the ability to accurately control and monitor therapy delivery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An external device serves as an intermediary, providing power to the implantable device via wireless energy transmission and receiving feedback signals to enable closed-loop control of therapy delivery, allowing the implantable device to remain simple while maintaining precise therapy control
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device transduces a portion of the received energy signal into a feedback signal that is transmitted back to the external device, enabling the external device to monitor and adjust energy transmission to maintain optimal therapy delivery
2Use of energy by moving object
If the implantable device transduces energy signal into electrical power for therapy delivery, then therapy is delivered without an internal power source, but the external device must precisely control and monitor the energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device uses the received energy signal to both power its therapy delivery functions and generate feedback signals, making the device self-powered and eliminating the need for internal batteries while maintaining operational autonomy
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 ensures efficient energy transfer and precise control of electrical stimulation therapy, minimizing the size and complexity of the implantable device while maintaining effective therapy delivery and adaptability to patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
transducing, by the implantable device, the energy signal into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, by an implantable device and from an external device, an energy signal; transducing, by the implantable device, the energy signal into electrical power; outputting, by the implantable device and to the external device, a feedback signal that represents an absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal, wherein the feedback signal includes a first portion that represents a relative level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal and a second portion that represents a reference voltage level; and delivering, by the implantable device, a level of electrical stimulation therapy proportional to the absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal.