Wireless Implantable Nerve Stimulation Without Internal Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices for nerve stimulation are large, invasive, and require battery replacement, limiting their use in various applications due to size and cost, and lack miniaturization and power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus comprising an external system and an implantable system, where the external system transmits power and data to the implantable system, which includes an implantable antenna, receiver, stimulation element, controller, and energy storage, allowing for miniaturized and efficient nerve stimulation without the need for battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional implantable devices use internal batteries for power, then the device can operate independently, but the device size increases and requires periodic battery replacement surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery power source from the implantable device and relocates it to an external power supply unit. The implantable device only contains the necessary stimulation components, controller, and antenna, dramatically reducing its size. The external power supply provides wireless power transmission to the implantable device via electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for internal batteries and periodic replacement surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary power transmission mechanism using electromagnetic induction through a coupling coil. The external power supply's coupling coil wirelessly transfers power to the implantable device's coil, enabling power transmission without physical connection or internal battery storage. This intermediary energy transfer method resolves the contradiction between device size and operation duration.
2Reliability
If traditional implantable devices use long conduits for lead placement, then the device can deliver stimulation effectively, but the invasiveness increases and implantation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the long conduit requirement by placing the stimulation elements directly on the target nerve during the implantation procedure, eliminating the need for lengthy conduits to reach deep tissue targets. The controller and power components are also extracted from the lead and placed in a compact implantable unit, simplifying the implantation process while maintaining stimulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into distinct functional modules: a compact implantable unit containing the controller and power components, separate stimulation elements that can be independently positioned on the nerve, and an external power supply. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and simplifies the implantation procedure by reducing the overall device complexity and invasiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If implantable devices are made larger to accommodate batteries and components, then the device can provide sufficient power and functionality, but the device cannot be used in various applications due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all power-related components (battery, power management circuitry) from the implantable device and places them in an external power supply unit. This extraction allows the implantable device to be miniaturized to a compact size suitable for various application sites, while the external power supply provides unlimited operational duration. The separation of power and stimulation functions enables widespread adaptability across different medical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal implantable device platform with standardized interfaces and a modular architecture that can be adapted to multiple applications (pain management, cardiac stimulation, neuromodulation) using the same compact implantable unit combined with different stimulation elements and an external power supply. This multi-functional design resolves the size adaptability contradiction by making the device small enough for various sites yet capable of diverse therapeutic functions.
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 apparatus provides enhanced nerve stimulation with improved miniaturization and power efficiency, reducing invasiveness and cost, enabling treatment of chronic diseases and pain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one external antenna configured to transmit a first transmission signal to the implantable system
Implementation Method 2
at least one implantable antenna configured to receive the first transmission signal from the first external device
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus for a patient comprises an external system and an implantable system. The external system is configured to transmit one or more transmission signals, each transmission signal comprising at least power or data. The implantable system is configured to receive the one or more transmission signals from the external system, and to deliver stimulation energy to the patient. Methods of delivering stimulation energy are also provided.