Wireless Microwave Power for Deep Brain Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices require surgical operations for power source replacement and maintenance due to the use of electric wires and implanted power supply units, causing inconvenience and increased maintenance costs for patients.
Innovation Solution
A DBS device utilizing a wireless power transmission mechanism that transmits microwaves from a hat-mounted power transmission antenna to an implantable module, converting the microwaves into direct current power to stimulate cerebral nerves, eliminating the need for an additional implanted power supply and reducing the requirement for surgical operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric wire and implanted power supply unit are used to supply power to the electrode, then the DBS device can function to stimulate cerebral nerves, but the patient requires repeated surgical operations for power source replacement and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply unit from the implanted DBS device and places it externally in a hat worn by the patient. The implantable module receives power wirelessly through microwaves transmitted from the external power supply, eliminating the need for implanted batteries and associated surgical replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microwaves as an intermediary medium to transfer power from the external hat-mounted power supply to the implantable module. This wireless power transmission through electromagnetic waves eliminates the need for physical electric wires connecting the power source to the electrode.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an implanted power supply unit is used, then power can be supplied to the electrode, but the device complexity increases due to additional implanted components
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit is extracted from the implantable module and relocated to an external hat-mounted device. This separation simplifies the implantable module to contain only the essential components (electrode and receiver) while the power generation and management functions reside externally.
Solution Approach 2:
Microwaves serve as an intermediary to transmit power wirelessly through the skull to the implantable module, eliminating the need for complex implanted wiring and power management systems while maintaining reliable power delivery to the electrode.
3Power
If electric wires are used to connect power supply to electrode, then power transmission is achieved, but maintenance costs increase due to repeated surgical interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microwaves as an intermediary to transmit power wirelessly from the external hat-mounted power supply to the implantable module. This eliminates physical electric wires that would require surgical replacement when depleted or malfunctioning, significantly reducing maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The external hat-mounted power supply can be easily replaced or recharged by the patient or caregiver without surgical intervention. The implantable module receives continuous power wirelessly, making the system self-sustaining and eliminating the need for surgical power source replacements.
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 wireless power transmission mechanism allows for the normalization of abnormal cerebral nervous systems and strengthening of weakened functions without the need for additional surgical operations, reducing maintenance costs and patient discomfort by eliminating the need for repeated power source replacements.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission antenna 34 to transmit microwaves wirelessly
Implementation Method 2
transforms the microwaves into direct current (DC) power
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device that wirelessly receives microwaves from a power transmission antenna installed at a hat put on a patient, transforms the microwaves into power, and drives electrodes implanted into a brain of the patient using the power, so as to correct abnormal motor and sensory functions of the patient. The DBS device includes: a hat module configured for placement over a head of the patient to transmit microwaves, and an implantation module configured to be implanted through a skull under a scalp to contact the cerebral nerve of the patient, receive the microwaves from the hat module, transform the microwaves into direct current (DC) power, and stimulate the cerebral nerve using the DC power.