Elastomer-Embedded Transformer Implant for Stable Inductive Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcutaneous energy transfer systems for implantable medical devices face challenges in securely fixing and positioning the transmitter winding, leading to potential power transfer disruptions, especially in life-sustaining applications, and frequent battery replacements due to limited recharge cycles, which are costly and risky for patients.
Innovation Solution
A transformer implant with a ring-shaped transformer core embedded in elastomeric material, allowing an opening for an external winding and providing a base and upper surface configuration that reduces impact and improves pressure distribution, enhancing implantability and patient comfort while maintaining electrical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter winding is fixed to the patient's skin using conventional methods (gluing or vests), then the device can be positioned for power transfer, but the fixation is unstable especially during sleep and may fall off or be in wrong position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fixation mechanism that connects the transmitter winding to the patient's skin through a more secure method. The fixation device acts as a mediator between the winding and skin, providing stable attachment that prevents displacement during sleep while maintaining proper positioning for power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible fixation structures that can conform to the patient's skin surface while maintaining secure attachment of the transmitter winding. These flexible elements adapt to skin movements and contours, ensuring reliable positioning without rigid constraints that could cause discomfort or displacement.
2Reliability
If an implantable battery is used to ensure continuous power supply, then power transfer reliability is maintained even if transmitter winding falls off, but the battery requires frequent replacement due to limited recharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service recharging of the implantable battery through transcutaneous energy transfer. The external transmitter winding can inductively charge the internal battery without requiring surgical intervention, allowing the device to recharge itself multiple times throughout the day and eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits and battery replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter winding system serves multiple functions: it can both transfer power to the implantable device and simultaneously recharge the implantable battery. This multi-functionality reduces reliance on limited-cycle batteries by providing continuous recharging capability through the same external interface.
3Reliability
If the transformer core is implanted with rigid structure, then electrical properties are maintained, but implantability is reduced and tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the transformer core, combining rigid magnetic materials with flexible encapsulation layers. This composite structure maintains the necessary electrical and magnetic properties for efficient power transfer while the flexible outer layer reduces mechanical stress on surrounding tissues and improves biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid transformer core is encapsulated in a flexible shell or thin film that conforms to the implantation site. This flexible encapsulation protects the rigid core from mechanical damage while reducing the risk of tissue damage by distributing mechanical stresses and allowing natural tissue movement without compromising the core's electrical properties.
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 elastomeric embedding of the transformer core improves the stability and comfort of the implant, reducing tissue damage risk and the need for frequent battery replacements by ensuring consistent energy transfer and secure positioning.
Implementation Method 1
transformer implant for inductive transfer of power from an external unit of a medical system, via the transformer implant, to an internal unit implanted into a body of a patient
Data Source
AI summary
A transformer implant comprising a ring-shaped transformer core; and elastomeric material embedding the ring-shaped transformer core, in such a way that an opening through the ring-shaped core is provided. The elastomeric material defines a base surface of the transformer implant and an upper surface of the transformer implant, the base surface and the upper surface meeting each other along an edge line of the transformer implant defining a maximum lateral extension of the transformer implant. The ring-shaped transformer core is arranged in a standing configuration, such that the ring-shaped transformer core has a maximum vertical extension along a first straight line and a maximum lateral extension along a second straight line. A lateral distance, in a direction parallel to the second straight line, from the first straight line to the edge line of the transformer implant at least corresponds to the maximum vertical extension of the ring-shaped transformer.