Self-Adhesive TET Coil Holder Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transcutaneous energy transfer systems, the alignment of internal and external coils is critical for efficient energy transmission, but poor alignment leads to suboptimal power transfer, posing challenges for patient comfort and caregiver burden due to the need for precise and stable coil positioning.
Innovation Solution
A flexible alignment device with an adhesive sheet element and a disc-shaped engagement feature that ensures coaxial alignment of external and internal coils, potentially with a locking mechanism, allowing for secure and easy placement on the skin or clothing, facilitating reliable energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire penetration is used to supply power to implanted devices, then power transmission is reliable, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from wired connections and implements it through wireless electromagnetic induction. The external coil transmits power wirelessly through the skin to the implanted internal coil, eliminating the need for penetrating wires and thus removing the infection risk while maintaining reliable power transmission.
2Loss of energy
If coil alignment is made precise and stable, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity and placement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features directly into the external coil assembly before placement. The alignment features (such as visual markers or mechanical guides) are pre-configured to automatically guide the external coil into proper alignment with the internal coil, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustment procedures and reducing placement difficulty while ensuring optimal energy transmission efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If coil alignment is made precise and stable, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but caregiver burden and patient comfort worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the external coil with self-aligning features that enable automatic or intuitive alignment with the internal coil without requiring specialized training or complex procedures. Patients or caregivers can easily place and reposition the external coil themselves, reducing caregiver burden and improving ease of operation while maintaining consistent alignment and energy transmission efficiency.
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
The alignment device ensures consistent and efficient energy transfer between internal and external coils, reducing the need for precise realignment and allowing patients to manage the external coil placement independently, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current is provided to the external coil, thereby inducing an alternating magnetic field which penetrates the skin and impinges on the internal coil to induce an alternating current in the internal coil
Implementation Method 2
A flexible alignment device with an adhesive sheet element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention provides an alignment device for a transcutaneous energy transfer coil. The alignment device according to this aspect of the invention desirably includes a structure having an adhesive adapted to adhere to at least one of the skin or clothing of a patient and an engagement feature adapted to engage a housing of a transcutaneous energy transfer coil so as to hold the housing in predetermined alignment with the structure. The structure may include a flexible sheet element bearing the adhesive and a body connected to the sheet element, the body defining the engagement feature.