Ultrasonic Implant Control for Deep Wireless Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for operating implantable medical devices using radio frequencies (RF) face challenges such as large form factor, high absorption by biological tissue, and health hazards due to overheating, limiting their depth and safety within the body.

Innovation Solution

Using ultrasonic waves to operate and power implantable devices, which have lower absorption rates in biological tissues, allowing for smaller form factors and greater implantable depths, with configurations including ultrasonic transducers and controller circuits to set operating modes based on received commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If radio frequencies are used to operate implantable devices, then wireless operation is achieved, but the device form factor becomes large and tissue absorption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless operationVSAvoiddevice form factor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces RF electromagnetic field-based operation with ultrasonic mechanical wave-based operation. The ultrasonic transducer converts ultrasonic waves into mechanical vibrations that directly drive the implantable device, eliminating the need for large RF antennas and associated circuitry, thereby achieving wireless operation with a significantly reduced device form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from RF range to ultrasonic range. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction mechanism with biological tissue, reducing absorption and enabling smaller device dimensions while maintaining wireless operation capability through ultrasonic transduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If radio frequencies are used to operate implantable devices, then wireless control is enabled, but tissue heating and health hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless controlVSAvoidtissue heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes RF electromagnetic energy transmission with ultrasonic mechanical wave transmission. Ultrasonic waves interact with tissue through mechanical vibration rather than electromagnetic absorption, significantly reducing tissue heating and associated health hazards while enabling wireless control through the ultrasonic transducer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful effect of high-energy RF waves into a beneficial low-absorption ultrasonic wave system. By operating at ultrasonic frequencies, the system achieves wireless control while minimizing tissue heating, effectively transforming the problematic RF-tissue interaction into a safe ultrasonic-tissue interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If radio frequencies are used for implantable devices, then wireless communication is achieved, but implantable depth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communicationVSAvoidimplantable depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter from RF to ultrasonic range, which fundamentally improves penetration characteristics through biological tissue. Ultrasonic waves at these frequencies experience lower absorption and scattering, enabling the implantable device to be positioned at greater depths while maintaining reliable wireless communication through the ultrasonic transducer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ultrasonic waves enable safe and efficient operation of implantable devices at deeper depths with reduced tissue heating and discomfort, maintaining a small form factor and enhancing biocompatibility.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves including an operating mode command

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave reception and conversion: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12357835B2Ultrasound-based protocol for operating an implantable device

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 IOTA BIOSCIENCES INC

AI summary

Method and system embodiments for operating a device implantable in a subject using ultrasonic waves are described. In some embodiments, a method is performed at the implantable device to receive ultrasonic waves including an operating mode command. Then, the implantable device sets an operating mode of the implantable device to one operating mode from a plurality of predetermined operating modes based on the operating mode command.