TETS Coil Alignment Thresholds for Implant Power Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of external and implanted coils in transcutaneous energy transfer systems (TETS) is critical for efficient energy transfer, but patient movement can cause misalignment, leading to interrupted operation of implantable medical devices, necessitating a system that provides status information, alerts, and notifications to ensure continuous power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A TETS system comprising an external controller with processing circuitry, a transmission coil, and an implantable controller with a receiving coil, which generates notifications based on power efficiency thresholds and temperature conditions to maintain proper alignment and power transfer, using a display for visual, audible, or tactile alerts to indicate operational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the external transmission coil and implanted receiving coil are kept in fixed alignment, then power transfer efficiency is maintained, but patient mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors power transfer efficiency and provides real-time feedback through visual, audible, or tactile notifications to the patient. When misalignment is detected, the system alerts the patient to adjust the external coil position, enabling them to maintain optimal alignment while moving freely throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
The system empowers the patient to self-correct alignment issues by providing intuitive notifications about misalignment conditions. The patient can independently adjust the external coil position based on system feedback without requiring medical intervention, maintaining both mobility and power transfer efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If multiple notification thresholds are implemented, then system monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent threshold levels (first, second, and third thresholds for power transfer efficiency; first, second, and third thresholds for temperature). Each threshold operates autonomously and triggers specific notifications, allowing precise monitoring without requiring complex integrated decision-making logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses distinct parameter thresholds to categorize different levels of misalignment and temperature conditions. By defining specific numerical thresholds for power transfer efficiency and temperature, the system achieves precise monitoring through simple parameter comparisons rather than complex algorithms.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of power transfer efficiency and temperature is performed, then device reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous monitoring of power transfer efficiency and temperature parameters without interruption. This continuous operation ensures that any misalignment or overheating conditions are detected immediately, maintaining high device reliability while using energy efficiently through ongoing measurements rather than periodic sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with electronic sensing and notification systems. By using electrical and electromagnetic fields to detect misalignment and temperature conditions, the system achieves continuous monitoring with minimal energy consumption compared to mechanical sensing approaches.
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 system ensures continuous and efficient power transfer to implantable medical devices by providing timely notifications and alerts, preventing device failure due to misalignment or temperature issues, thus maintaining the functionality of devices like implantable blood pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil
Data Source
AI summary
A TETS having an external controller having a power source, a transmission coil in communication with the external controller, a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil, and an implantable controller in communication with the receiving coil and an implantable blood pump. The implantable controller has a battery configured to receive power from the receiving coil and the external controller is configured to categorize power transfer states based on predetermined thresholds of efficiency and power demand, and user display states (associated with optional configurable notifications) based on the power transfer states and predetermined temperature thresholds of the transmission coil.