Wireless Energy Transfer Feedback for Medical Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless energy transfer systems for implanted medical devices face inefficiencies due to variations in coil alignment and spacing, leading to inconsistent energy supply that can damage tissues or disrupt device operation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses feedback information to optimize the positioning of the external energy source relative to the internal receiver, adjusting energy transmission based on coupling factors to ensure efficient and safe energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the external energy source is positioned close to the internal energy receiver to maximize transfer efficiency, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to position variations causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual energy transfer efficiency and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the external energy source position or transmission parameters, maintaining optimal efficiency while compensating for position variations to ensure stable energy supply
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static positioning approach to a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the external energy source position or transmission parameters are continuously modified based on real-time efficiency measurements, allowing the system to adapt to position variations while maintaining stable energy transfer
2Reliability
If the transmission parameters are increased to compensate for low transfer efficiency, then energy supply reliability is improved, but harmful effects such as tissue heating increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors transfer efficiency and provides feedback to adjust transmission parameters only to the extent necessary to achieve reliable energy transfer, preventing excessive parameter increases that would cause harmful heating effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as frequency or power level based on real-time efficiency measurements, optimizing energy transfer while maintaining parameters within safe limits to avoid tissue heating
3Loss of energy
If the external energy source position is adjusted to maintain optimal coupling, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and adjusts its own positioning or transmission parameters to maintain optimal energy transfer efficiency, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments by the user and simplifying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from efficiency measurements to automatically adjust positioning or transmission parameters, making the system self-regulating and removing the burden of precise manual positioning from the user
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
Enhances the efficiency and safety of energy transfer to implanted medical devices by stabilizing energy levels and preventing tissue damage, ensuring consistent device operation.
Implementation Method 1
a primary coil adapted to inductively transfer any amount of wireless energy by inducing a voltage in a secondary coil
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for suppling energy to a medical implant is provided. The system comprising an electrically powered medical device adapted to be implanted in a patient, the medical device comprising an internal energy receiver adapted to power the medical device and having a secondary coil for wirelessly receiving energy and an external energy source adapted to be located externally to the patient and having a primary coil, and adapted to wirelessly supply energy to the internal energy receiver using the primary coil. The system is arranged to determine a coupling factor between the primary and the secondary coil, the external energy source is adapted to transmit a first amount of energy to the energy receiver for enabling the medical device to detect information related to the coupling factor, and the internal energy receiver comprises an electronic component connected to the secondary coil for preventing or substantially reducing the flow of electrical current between the secondary coil and the medical implant during the measurements of parameters related to the coupling factor, and wherein the medical device is configured to determine the coupling factor. The system is further arranged to use the coupling factor as feedback information during energy transfer.