Stomach-Anchored Implantable Power System for Organ Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices require frequent battery recharging or replacement, which is costly, invasive, and poses health risks due to surgical procedures and external power transmission limitations, especially when using ultrasound waves that struggle to cross bones and result in unsightly and risky connectors emerging through the skin.
Innovation Solution
An implantable system with a centralization device anchored in the stomach, capable of powering and controlling a second device implanted near the target organ using acoustic or electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need for external power sources and connectors, and allowing for easy replacement of energy reserves endoscopically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external power transmission using ultrasound waves is used, then the implanted device can be powered without surgical battery replacement, but the ultrasound waves do not cross bones well and great precision in placement is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bone-anchored connector as an intermediary component that physically bridges the external power source and the implanted device through the bone. This mediator allows ultrasound energy to be transmitted directly through the bone structure, overcoming the limitation that ultrasound waves do not cross bones well, while reducing the precision requirements for direct placement over the device.
2Ease of operation
If wired connectors are used for electrical connection between implantable device and external device, then power and data can be exchanged, but connectors emerging through skin are unsightly and present health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a bone-anchored connector as an intermediary that passes through the bone rather than emerging through the skin. This intermediary approach allows electrical connections and data exchange between the external device and implanted device while avoiding the harmful effects of skin-penetrating connectors, as the connection point is hidden within the bone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical skin-penetrating connector system with a bone-anchored mechanical system. By substituting the connection pathway from soft tissue (skin) to hard tissue (bone), the system eliminates the cosmetic and health issues associated with external connectors while maintaining the necessary electrical and data connectivity.
3Ease of repair
If surgical operation is performed for battery replacement, then the battery can be replaced, but the procedure is expensive, requires anesthesia, and poses infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The bone-anchored connector serves as a permanent intermediary infrastructure that enables non-surgical battery replacement. By establishing this bone-based connection pathway in advance, the system allows for future battery changes to be performed through simple connector operations rather than requiring repeated surgical interventions, thereby eliminating anesthesia requirements and infection risks associated with surgery.
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 reduces patient constraints, minimizes surgical risks, and enables efficient energy supply to implantable devices, such as pacemakers, without the need for external power sources or unsightly connectors, allowing for longer device lifespan and easier maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the centralization device comprises an acoustic wave transmitter and the second device comprises a stimulator capable of stimulating the organ and a converter of acoustic energy into electrical energy, the converter being capable of receiving the acoustic waves emitted by the centralization device
Implementation Method 2
a converter of acoustic energy into electrical energy, the converter being capable of receiving the acoustic waves emitted by the centralization device and generating in response an electric current to supply the stimulator
Implementation Method 3
the centralization device comprises an electromagnetic wave transmitter and the second device comprises a stimulator capable of stimulating the organ and a converter capable of receiving the electromagnetic waves emitted by the centralization device and of generating an electric supply current in response
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an implantable system (10) comprising a first device (20), referred to as the centralisation device, suitable for being implanted in an attachment position inside the body of the patient and at least one second device (25) suitable for stimulating an organ of the patient when the second device (25) is implanted, in a stimulation position, in the body of the patient, the first device (20) being further configured to control the stimulation of the organ by the second device (25), the implantable system being characterised in that the organ is an organ that is different from the stomach and in that, when the first device (20) is in the attachment position, the first device (20) is received in the stomach of the patient and attached to a wall of the stomach.