Variable Coil Area for Transcutaneous Power Link Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcutaneous inductive power links for implantable medical devices, such as cochlear implants, face challenges in efficiently transferring power due to variations in skin flap thickness and reflective resistance, leading to suboptimal coupling factors and power link efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of inductive communication components with varying effective coil areas to adjust the coupling factor k, allowing for optimized power transfer by selectively using coils with different diameters or adjusting the coil area, thereby improving efficiency and reducing reflective resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed coil area is used for inductive power transfer, then the device structure is simple, but the power link efficiency varies and is suboptimal due to skin flap thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable effective coil area mechanism that can dynamically adjust the coil area during operation. The system includes a movable coil structure or switchable coil configuration that allows changing the effective coil area to compensate for variations in skin flap thickness, thereby maintaining consistent power link efficiency across different patients and conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of coil area to optimize power transfer. By varying the effective coil area of the external or implanted coil, the system adjusts the coupling factor to account for differences in skin flap thickness, ensuring optimal power transfer efficiency for each specific patient anatomy.
2Power
If the coil area is increased to improve power transfer, then power delivery increases, but reflective resistance increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the coil area parameter to balance power delivery and energy loss. By selecting an optimal effective coil area rather than maximizing it, the system achieves sufficient power transfer while minimizing reflective resistance losses. This involves adjusting the coil area to match the specific impedance characteristics of the implant and tissue interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the coil area during operation to optimize the balance between power delivery and energy loss. The variable coil configuration allows real-time adjustment to maintain optimal coupling while minimizing reflective resistance, adapting to changing tissue conditions or implant requirements.
3Reliability
If the coupling factor is increased to improve power transfer efficiency, then power link efficiency improves, but the system becomes more sensitive to position variations and skin flap thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coil area adjustment mechanism that compensates for position variations and skin flap thickness changes. By varying the effective coil area, the system maintains an optimal coupling factor despite variations in implant position or tissue thickness, thereby preserving both efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the coil area parameter to maintain optimal coupling across different conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve high power transfer efficiency while remaining tolerant to position variations and tissue thickness differences, as the coil area is optimized for each specific operating condition.
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 approach enhances power link efficiency, reduces waste, and maintains consistent performance across varying skin flap thickness, ensuring reliable power delivery to implantable devices.
Implementation Method 1
The external device is configured to transmit power via magnetic induction transcutaneoulsy to the implantable component via the first inductive communication component
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthesis including an external device and an implantable component. The external device includes a first inductive communication component. The implantable component includes a second inductive communication component, wherein the implantable component is configured to be implanted under skin of a recipient. The external device is configured to transmit power via magnetic induction transcutaneoulsy to the implantable component via the second inductive communication component. The internal component is configured to receive at least a portion of the power transmitted from the external device via the inductive communication component. At least one of the first and second inductive communication components comprise an inductive communication component configured to vary its effective coil area.