Wireless Microtransponders for Infection-Free Neural Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical techniques for treating neurological disorders, such as paralysis and sensory loss, often require invasive methods involving foreign devices in the brain, leading to physiological complications like surgical wounds and infection.
Innovation Solution
Implantation of battery-free wireless microtransponders with spiral antennas into tissue, which receive energy wirelessly and provide electrical stimulation without invasive connections, using near-field magnetic coupling between internal and external coils to communicate power and signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive methods with foreign devices in the brain are used to treat neurological disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but physiological complications such as surgical wounds and infection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical invasive implantation methods with wireless microtransponders that can be delivered through minimally invasive means (such as injection or attachment to existing devices). The microtransponders use electromagnetic fields for power and communication rather than mechanical connections, eliminating the need for complex surgical procedures and reducing infection risk while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the stimulation function into multiple independent microtransponder units that can be distributed throughout the target tissue or nerve. Each microtransponder is a self-contained unit with its own antenna, circuitry, and stimulation capability. This segmentation allows for minimally invasive delivery of multiple units and enables distributed stimulation patterns that improve treatment effectiveness while reducing the harm associated with single large invasive implants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If battery-free wireless microtransponders are implanted, then minimally invasive implantation and reduced infection risk are achieved, but power delivery and signal communication challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power reception and signal communication functions into a single integrated wireless interface using near-field magnetic coupling. The external system transmits both power and control signals through the same electromagnetic field, eliminating the need for separate power and data connections. This merging enables battery-free operation while maintaining reliable communication and power delivery through the skin-tissue interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an external resonant circuit as an intermediary to transfer both power and signals wirelessly to the implanted microtransponders. The external circuit is tuned to resonate at the same frequency as the microtransponder antennas, creating efficient near-field magnetic coupling that enables power transfer and bidirectional communication without direct electrical contact, thus eliminating infection risk while solving power delivery challenges.
3Measurement precision
If dense implantation densities of microtransponders are used, then high-resolution stimulation and sensing are enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs extremely small, low-cost microtransponder units that can be manufactured in large quantities using standard semiconductor fabrication processes. Each microtransponder is miniaturized to contain only essential components (antenna, capacitor, simple circuitry) and can be produced as disposable units. This approach enables dense implantation arrays for high-resolution stimulation and sensing while keeping individual unit complexity and manufacturing cost low, as each unit is simple enough to be mass-produced economically.
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 minimally invasive, high-resolution stimulation and sensing with dense implantation densities, reducing the risk of infection and surgical complications while allowing for novel forms of distributed stimulation and sensing.
Implementation Method 1
receive energy wirelessly and provide electrical stimulation without invasive connections, using near-field magnetic coupling between internal and external coils to communicate power and signals
Implementation Method 2
The microtransponder includes a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency and a stimulus generator coupled to the resonant circuit. The stimulus generator provides stimulation pulses to the peripheral nerve in response to a trigger signal received at the resonant circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing electrical stimulation to tissue includes implanting one or more battery-free microtransponders having spiral antennas into tissue. Energy is provided wirelessly to the plurality of microtransponders. Tissue is stimulated using the energy.