Wearable Charging Setup for Implant and Controller Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for implantable sensing devices and their external control devices often result in temporary interruptions of data transfer during charging, necessitating a solution that allows simultaneous and continuous charging without disrupting data communication.
Innovation Solution
A wearable system comprising a charging device with a first charging element for inductively charging an implantable device and a second charging element for charging an external control device, along with an electrical power source that can be charged separately to ensure safe and simultaneous charging of both devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging is performed using existing systems, then the implantable device and external control device can be charged, but data transfer is temporarily interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into two independent charging circuits: a first charging circuit for the implantable device and a second charging circuit for the external control device. These circuits operate independently and simultaneously, allowing charging to proceed without interrupting data transfer between the devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charging functions for both devices into a single integrated charging device that contains both charging circuits. This unified charging device can simultaneously charge both the implantable device and external control device while maintaining their communication connection, thus combining charging functionality with continuous data transfer capability.
2Ease of operation
If the power source is always connected for charging, then charging convenience is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential overcharging or accidental connection
Solution Approach 1:
The charging connector is designed to be dynamically positioned: it can be covered or exposed based on whether the external control device is in the charging position. When the device is properly positioned for charging, the connector is covered to prevent accidental connections and ensure safety. This dynamic positioning mechanism balances convenience with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging connector acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the power source and the devices being charged. By controlling the exposure and connection state of this intermediary component, the system ensures that charging only occurs when properly configured, preventing safety hazards while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables simultaneous charging of both the implantable device and the external control device while maintaining continuous data transfer, ensuring safe operation by preventing the charging of the power source during device charging, thus enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first charging element, such as for example a charging coil, configured for charging the implantable device e.g. for generating a charging field for transferring power to the implantable device
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable system includes a charging device for simultaneously charging an implantable device and an external control device for reading out and/or controlling the implantable device. The charging device has at least one electrical power source, a first charging element for charging the implantable device and a second charging element for charging the external control device. The charging device is configured to charge the implantable device and the external control device simultaneously. The at least one electrical power source itself is chargeable and the system is configured to only allow mutually exclusive the charging of the at least one electrical power source on the one hand, and the charging of the implantable sensor and the external control device through the at least one electrical power source on the other hand.