Transdermal MR-Conditional Pump Inflation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants for treating erectile dysfunction and incontinence face challenges with inefficient power transmission and MRI compatibility, as well as discomfort and inefficiency in operation, particularly for older patients and women, due to the need for internal batteries or ferrous materials.
Innovation Solution
A MR-Safe or MR-Conditional apparatus using a nonferrous motor, fluid pump, and valve combination powered transdermally, with a medical provider software application and patient external controller for efficient energy transfer and control, allowing for rapid inflation and deflation of medical implants without internal batteries or ferrous components, ensuring compatibility with MRI machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an internal rechargeable battery or capacitor is used to accumulate energy from a magnetic induction source, then the pump can get enough power to transfer the required fluid, but the device complexity and implant size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the internal battery or capacitor energy storage component from the implant system. Instead, the pump is powered directly by transdermal magnetic induction power transmission, extracting only the necessary power delivery function while eliminating the bulky energy storage hardware that would increase device complexity and implant size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external magnetic induction power transmission system as an intermediary between the power source and the pump. The external transmitter coil transmits power through the skin to an internal receiver coil, which directly powers the pump without requiring internal energy storage, thus resolving the contradiction between power delivery and device complexity.
2Length of stationary object
If high voltages are used to increase power transmission over longer distances, then the pump can be placed farther from the power source, but the risk of electric shock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical voltage-based power transmission system with a magnetic induction-based system. Instead of using high voltages to transmit power over distance, the system uses magnetic fields generated by an external transmitter coil to induce current in an internal receiver coil, enabling safe power transmission through tissue without the risks associated with high voltages.
3Power
If the primary and secondary windings are placed within a few millimeters of each other to transmit power, then power transmission is efficient, but the implanted transformer secondary must be placed in the dermis which is physically and cosmetically uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into two separate components: an external transmitter coil that the patient controls by placing it on the skin surface, and an internal receiver coil implanted in the abdomen. This segmentation allows the power transmission to occur through the skin without requiring the implant to be in the uncomfortable dermal location, while still maintaining efficient magnetic coupling when the external coil is properly positioned.
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 solution enables efficient, rapid, and reliable inflation and deflation of medical implants with minimal surgical impact, ensuring MRI compatibility and reduced discomfort, while maintaining high efficiency and safety, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
external alternating current power is transmitted transdermally by close-coupled magnetic induction typically operating in the band from 100 KHz to 200 KHz and forming an air core electrical transformer with its primary winding external to the patient and its secondary winding internal to the patient
Implementation Method 2
Full-wave Schottky diode bridge rectifiers with electromagnetic interference filters are known to convert the secondary winding's varying alternating current voltage into varying direct current voltage
Implementation Method 3
one or more linear voltage regulators are used to convert the varying direct current voltage to stable direct current voltage to power the electronics and the motor
Implementation Method 4
an electrically driven pump which may be controlled and powered from an external source
Data Source
AI summary
A wirelessly powered inflatable medical implant system includes a medical provider software application, a patient external controller and a MR-Conditional, nonferrous pump in reservoir implant. The medical provider software application programs the patient external controller for the patient to transmit wireless power and control signals to circuitry in a pump in reservoir implant. In response, the pump in reservoir implant, containing a fluid reservoir and pump package submerged therein, transfers fluid from the reservoir through tubing, and into one or more inflatable medical implants. Submerging the pump package within the reservoir simplifies surgery in males and pump placement in females and provides pump package heatsinking to limit implant overheating.