Variable Recharge Voltage for Implantable Medical Device Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
As implantable medical device batteries age, their operational and compliance periods shorten, requiring more frequent recharging, which accelerates battery aging and complicates patient management.
Innovation Solution
The recharge voltage of the implantable medical device is varied over time to maintain consistent operational and compliance periods, either by decreasing or increasing the voltage based on the battery's age stage, to equalize the voltage difference or charge imparted, ensuring uniform recharging intervals and maintaining battery functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed recharge voltage is used, then the device is simple to operate, but the operational period and compliance period shorten as the battery ages, requiring more frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the recharge voltage variable rather than fixed. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the recharge voltage threshold based on battery age characteristics, transitioning from a static system to an adaptive one that maintains consistent operational periods throughout the battery lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter over time based on battery age. By modifying the recharge voltage threshold as a function of battery age, the system compensates for battery degradation and maintains uniform operational periods, directly addressing the worsening feature
2Reliability
If the recharge voltage is set to provide a reasonable compliance period, then patient safety is ensured, but the operational period is reduced, requiring more frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the recharge voltage parameter as a function of battery age to maintain consistent operational periods. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both compliance and operational periods throughout the battery lifecycle, resolving the trade-off between these two time periods
3Reliability
If more frequent recharging is performed to maintain device functionality, then device operation is maintained, but battery aging is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the recharge voltage threshold based on battery age, the patent reduces the number of recharge cycles needed. The variable voltage approach maintains consistent operational periods, preventing the acceleration of battery aging that would result from frequent recharging with a fixed voltage threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable medical device adapted to provide a therapeutic output to a patient. A therapy module, operatively coupled to a battery, is adapted to provide the therapeutic output. A control circuit provides an action indicative of recharging the battery when the voltage of the battery reaches a recharge voltage wherein the recharge voltage is varied as the battery ages. Also a method of providing a therapeutic output to a patient using an implantable medical device having a battery having a voltage. An action indicative of recharging the battery is provided when the voltage of the battery reaches a recharge voltage. The recharge voltage is varied as the battery ages.