Voltage Holding Circuit for TCC Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue conduction communication (TCC) systems face interference issues with electrophysiological signal sensing circuitry and impedance monitoring due to TCC signal transmission, which can lead to false detection of cardiac events and unintended stimulation of muscle or nerves.
Innovation Solution
A TCC transmitter with a voltage holding circuit that maintains a direct current (DC) voltage on an alternating current (AC) coupling capacitor between signal transmissions, minimizing interference with sensing circuitry and optimizing TCC signal transmission through a conductive tissue pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCC signal transmission is performed using AC coupling capacitor without voltage holding, then TCC communication can be established between devices, but interference occurs with electrophysiological signal sensing circuitry and impedance monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage holding circuit performs preliminary action by maintaining the AC coupling capacitor at a predetermined DC voltage level between TCC signal transmissions. This pre-established voltage state prevents the capacitor from drifting into ranges that would cause interference with sensing circuitry, thereby eliminating the need for reactive interference suppression while maintaining reliable TCC communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage holding circuit acts as an intermediary component between the TCC transmitter and the AC coupling capacitor. It mediates the voltage state of the capacitor, ensuring it remains at an optimal DC level that enables effective TCC signal coupling while preventing harmful interference with electrophysiological sensing and impedance monitoring functions.
2Speed
If TCC signals are transmitted frequently, then communication speed improves, but false detection of cardiac events increases due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-establishing and maintaining the optimal DC voltage on the AC coupling capacitor through the voltage holding circuit, the system enables frequent TCC signal transmissions without causing interference artifacts. This preliminary voltage stabilization allows high-speed communication while preserving the accuracy of cardiac event detection, as the capacitor remains in a state that prevents false signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage holding circuit dynamically maintains the DC voltage parameter of the AC coupling capacitor within an optimal range. By controlling this voltage parameter, the system enables frequent TCC transmissions (increasing communication speed) while preventing the voltage from reaching levels that would cause false cardiac event detection, thus preserving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If AC coupling capacitor is recharged frequently between transmissions, then signal transmission quality is maintained, but interference with impedance monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage holding circuit performs preliminary action by continuously maintaining the AC coupling capacitor at the predetermined DC voltage level. This eliminates the need for frequent recharging operations, as the capacitor remains in its optimal voltage state. Consequently, signal transmission quality is maintained without generating interference artifacts that would corrupt impedance monitoring measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of frequent capacitor recharging (which causes interference) into a benefit by using the voltage holding circuit to maintain a stable DC voltage. This stable voltage state serves dual purposes: it ensures high-quality TCC signal transmission while simultaneously preventing interference with impedance monitoring, effectively turning a potential source of harm into a beneficial stable 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
The solution reduces the likelihood of TCC signals being falsely detected as cardiac events, minimizing interference with electrophysiological signal sensing and impedance monitoring, thereby enhancing the reliability of communication between medical devices implanted in a patient.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage holding circuit for holding a voltage established on an alternating current (AC) coupling capacitor between TCC signal transmissions. The AC coupling capacitor is used to couple TCC signals generated by the TCC transmitter to a transmitting electrode vector
Implementation Method 2
TCC uses the human body as the medium of communication. TCC may sometimes be referred to as human body conduction (HBC) or intrabody communication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device is configured to transmit tissue conductance communication (TCC) signals by generating multiple TCC signals by a TCC transmitter of the IMD. The generated TCC signals are coupled to a transmitting electrode vector via a coupling capacitor to transmit the plurality of TCC signals to a receiving medical device via a conductive tissue pathway. A voltage holding circuit holds the coupling capacitor at a DC voltage for a time interval between two consecutively transmitted TCC signals.