VAD Wireless Power Resonator Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems for ventricular assist devices face challenges in heat dissipation and efficient power transmission, particularly when the receive resonator is implanted within the body, leading to potential temperature rises and complex surgical procedures for placement.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid wireless power transfer system using a combination of Litz wire loops and stacked plates, with the receive resonator positioned in the thoracic cavity for heat dissipation through pulmonary circulation, and a wearable external transmit resonator that wraps around the body for efficient power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the receive resonator is implanted inside the patient's body for wireless power transfer, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult causing excessive temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the thoracic cavity as an intermediary space between the external transmit resonator and the implantable receive resonator. This cavity acts as a thermal buffer zone that facilitates heat dissipation from the receive resonator while maintaining the wireless power transfer function, thus resolving the contradiction between efficient power transmission and heat management
2Loss of energy
If the receive resonator is positioned deep inside the body for optimal power reception, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but surgical complexity and placement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameter by positioning the receive resonator in the thoracic cavity rather than deeper internal locations. This parameter change maintains adequate power transfer efficiency while significantly reducing surgical complexity, as the thoracic cavity is more accessible and has favorable electromagnetic properties for resonator placement
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 effectively manages heat dissipation and ensures efficient power transmission to the ventricular assist device, reducing temperature rise and simplifying surgical implantation by leveraging the thoracic cavity's natural cooling mechanisms and optimized resonator geometry.
Implementation Method 1
The transmit resonator is configured to transmit wireless power
Implementation Method 2
the implantable receive resonator is configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the external transmit resonator
Implementation Method 3
One of the challenges is dissipation of the heat from the receive resonator to prevent an excessive rise of temperature inside a patient's body
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless power transfer system is provided. The system includes an external transmit resonator and an implantable receive resonator. The transmit resonator is configured to transmit wireless power, wherein the external transmit resonator includes one of i) one or more loops of Litz wire and ii) a plurality of stacked plates. The implantable receive resonator is configured to receive the transmitted wireless power from the external transmit resonator, wherein the implantable receive resonator is configured to power a ventricular assist device (VAD) implanted in a subject using the received wireless power. The implantable receive resonator includes the other of i) the one or more loops of Litz wire and ii) the plurality of stacked plates.