Implantable Urological Device Wireless Power Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices, such as urological devices, face challenges with energy depletion of their onboard energy storage systems, leading to reduced device lifespan before needing replacement.

Innovation Solution

The development of an implantable urological device with a housing containing a rechargeable power source and electronic components, including a treatment system, communication system, and recharge system, which can receive wireless power signals and communication signals via a secondary conductor and antenna, respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a non-rechargeable battery is used in the implantable medical device, then the device structure is simpler, but the device lifespan is limited by energy depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate compartments: a first hermetically sealed compartment containing the rechargeable battery and electronic components, and a second compartment containing the secondary conductor and antenna. This segmentation allows the battery to be protected from corrosion while enabling wireless recharging functionality, thus extending device lifespan without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A hermetic feedthrough system acts as an intermediary between the first and second compartments, providing electrical connection for the secondary conductor and antenna while maintaining hermetic sealing. This intermediary component enables wireless power and communication signals to penetrate the hermetic barrier without compromising the sealed environment of the battery compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a hermetically sealed housing is used to protect electronic components, then component reliability is improved, but wireless signal reception is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidsignal reception

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a hermetic first compartment for protected components and a non-hermetic second compartment for the antenna and secondary conductor. This segmentation allows wireless signals to access the antenna while critical electronic components remain protected in the hermetic compartment, resolving the contradiction between protection and signal reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hermetic feedthrough system serves as an intermediary that allows electrical signals from the antenna to pass through the hermetic barrier to reach the protected electronic components, enabling both signal reception and component protection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the secondary conductor and antenna are placed in the same compartment as electronic components, then device size is reduced, but component corrosion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcomponent corrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a hermetic first compartment containing the battery and electronic components, and a second compartment containing the secondary conductor and antenna. This segmentation physically isolates corrosion-prone components from the battery while maintaining a compact overall device structure, thus preventing corrosion without significantly increasing device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enables the implantable urological device to extend its operational life by allowing for wireless recharging of the power source and maintaining communication with external systems, thereby reducing the frequency of device replacements.

Implementation Method 1

a secondary conductor disposed within the second internal compartment and electrically coupled to the electronic component, the secondary conductor configured to receive a wireless power signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an antenna disposed within the second internal compartment and electrically coupled to the electronic component, the antenna configured to a receive a wireless communication signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250120814A1Implantable urological device with power and communication interface

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

An implantable urological device is disclosed. The implantable urological device includes a housing forming a first internal compartment, an electronic component disposed within the first internal compartment, and a header coupled to the housing. The header forms a second internal compartment. A secondary conductor is disposed within the second internal compartment and electrically coupled to the electronic component. The secondary conductor receives a wireless power signal. An antenna is disposed within the second internal compartment and electrically coupled to the electronic component. The antenna receives a wireless communication signal.